Not every American citizen receives Social Security, and not every person who receives it is a citizen
Social Security goes to people who have worked and paid into the system through payroll taxes, not to all citizens by default. You must have earned enough work credits — a measure of how long you have worked and paid Social Security tax — to receive retirement, survivor, or disability benefits. A citizen who never worked, or who worked but did not pay Social Security tax, will not receive Social Security payments.
Non-citizens can also receive Social Security if they worked in the United States and paid into the system. A non-citizen who meets the work credit requirement and is now a lawful permanent resident or has a valid visa may receive benefits. Some non-citizens who are not in the country legally cannot receive benefits, though the rules vary by the type of benefit and immigration status.
The Social Security Administration does not hand out benefits based on citizenship alone. It hands them out based on work history and the specific rules for each type of benefit.
Key Takeaways
- You need 40 work credits to receive Social Security retirement or survivor benefits; you earn one credit for every $1,640 of wages in 2024 (the amount changes yearly).
- Non-citizens who worked in the United States and paid Social Security tax can receive benefits if they meet the work credit requirement and have the right immigration status.
- Children, spouses, and ex-spouses of a worker can receive benefits based on that worker's record even if they never worked themselves.
- You can check your own work history and estimated benefits by creating an account at ssa.gov.
How work credits determine who gets Social Security
A work credit is the Social Security Administration's way of measuring whether you have worked long enough to earn benefits. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,640 of wages you earn and pay Social Security tax on. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year. Most people need 40 credits total — roughly ten years of full-time work — to receive retirement benefits.
The dollar amount that earns one credit changes each year based on wage growth. If you worked in earlier decades, the threshold was lower. The Social Security Administration publishes the current year's credit amount on its website each October.
If you worked but did not pay Social Security tax — for example, if you were self-employed and did not report income, or if you worked for a government employer with a different retirement system — those years do not count toward your work credits. You can see your own work history and credit count by logging into your Social Security account at ssa.gov.
Non-citizens and Social Security benefits
Non-citizens who worked in the United States and paid Social Security tax can receive benefits if they meet two conditions: they must have enough work credits, and they must have the right immigration status. A lawful permanent resident (green card holder) can receive benefits. A non-citizen with a valid visa or work permit may also receive benefits, depending on the type of visa and the type of benefit.
Non-citizens who are not in the country legally generally cannot receive Social Security benefits, with narrow exceptions. Some people who were brought to the country as children and have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status may receive benefits if they meet other requirements, but the rules are complex and change based on court decisions.
If you are a non-citizen and unsure whether you can receive benefits, you can contact the Social Security Administration directly. You do not need to be a citizen to call or visit a Social Security office.
Family members who can receive benefits without working
Social Security is not only for people who worked. Family members of a worker can receive benefits based on that worker's record. A spouse (married at least nine months) can receive benefits at age 62 or older, or at any age if caring for a child under 16. An ex-spouse can receive benefits at 62 or older if the marriage lasted at least ten years, even if the worker has remarried.
Children of a worker can receive benefits until age 19 if they are in high school full-time, or until age 18 if they are not in school. Children with disabilities can receive benefits for life. A parent of a worker can receive benefits if the worker has passed away and the parent was dependent on the worker for at least half of their income.
These family members do not need work credits of their own. They receive benefits because of their relationship to the worker and their age or status.
Government workers and the Government Pension Offset
Some people who worked for a federal, state, or local government did not pay Social Security tax. Instead, they paid into a different retirement system. These workers may not have enough Social Security work credits to receive benefits on their own record.
However, a government worker's spouse or ex-spouse may still receive a benefit based on the government worker's Social Security record — but the amount is reduced by the Government Pension Offset. This offset reduces the family member's benefit by two-thirds of the government pension they receive. In some cases, the offset eliminates the benefit entirely.
If you or your spouse worked for a government employer, ask the Social Security Administration how the Government Pension Offset will affect your family's benefits. The rules are strict and the calculation is complex.
How to check your work history and benefit estimate
You can see your own Social Security work credits and get an estimate of your future benefits by creating an account at ssa.gov. The account shows your earnings record year by year and tells you how many credits you have earned. It also shows an estimate of what you would receive at different ages if you were to claim retirement benefits.
You should check your record every few years to make sure the Social Security Administration has recorded your earnings correctly. If you spot an error — a year where you worked but no earnings appear, or earnings that are too low — you can report it to the Social Security Administration. You will need tax documents or pay stubs to prove the correct amount.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can visit a Social Security office in person or call 1-800-772-1213. Wait times are often long, so calling early in the week or early in the day may be faster.
What happens if you do not have enough work credits
If you reach retirement age but do not have 40 work credits, you will not receive a retirement benefit on your own record. You cannot receive a benefit based on someone else's record unless you are a spouse, ex-spouse, or child of a worker.
If you are close to 40 credits — for example, if you have 35 credits and are still working — you can earn more credits by continuing to work. Each year you work and pay Social Security tax, you can earn up to four more credits.
If you are far from 40 credits and cannot work more, you have no other way to receive Social Security retirement benefits. You may be able to receive other forms of information, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have low income and few resources, but that is a different program with different rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Social Security if I was born outside the United States?
Yes, if you worked in the United States and paid Social Security tax, and you have the right immigration status. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen. Lawful permanent residents and people with certain visas can receive benefits if they meet the work credit requirement.
Do I lose my Social Security if I move out of the country?
Not automatically. U.S. citizens can receive Social Security payments while living abroad. Non-citizens have more restrictions — some can receive payments abroad, others cannot. Contact the Social Security Administration before you move to find out whether your benefits will continue.
Can my child get Social Security if I never worked?
No. Your child can only receive benefits based on your work record if you have enough work credits. If you did not work or did not pay Social Security tax, your child cannot receive benefits based on your record.
What if I worked but paid into a different retirement system?
If you worked for a government employer and paid into a government pension instead of Social Security, those years do not count as work credits. You may not have enough credits to receive Social Security retirement benefits. The Windfall Elimination Provision may also reduce any benefit you do receive.
How do I know if I have enough work credits right now?
Log into your Social Security account at ssa.gov to see your work history and credit count. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and Social Security number. The account also shows an estimate of your benefits at different ages.