Whether immigrants receive Social Security at 65 depends on work history and immigration status, not citizenship

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to receive Social Security at 65. What matters is whether you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for long enough. If you are a lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you can receive Social Security benefits at 65 the same way a citizen can — by meeting the work requirement. If you are undocumented, you cannot receive Social Security benefits, even if you have paid taxes into the system.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not check immigration status when you turn 65. It checks your work record. If you have 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of covered work), you can receive retirement benefits regardless of where you were born or how you entered the country — as long as your immigration status allows you to work legally in the United States.

Key Takeaways

  • Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees can receive Social Security at 65 if they have 40 work credits, the same as U.S. citizens.
  • Work credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes through employment, and you need roughly 10 years of covered work to reach 40 credits.
  • Undocumented immigrants cannot receive Social Security retirement benefits, even if they have paid taxes into the system.
  • You can check your work record and credits by creating an account on ssa.gov or visiting a local Social Security office in person.
  • Some immigrants who did not work long enough in the United States may be able to count work done in other countries under totalization agreements.

Who can receive Social Security benefits at 65

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are treated the same as U.S. citizens for Social Security purposes. If you have 40 work credits, you can receive retirement benefits at 65 or later. Your green card status does not expire or need to be renewed for you to receive benefits — once you are approved, benefits continue as long as you live.

Refugees and asylees can also receive Social Security at 65 if they have the required work credits. Your refugee or asylee status does not prevent you from working or earning credits. Once you have worked long enough, you are treated the same as any other beneficiary.

Undocumented immigrants cannot receive Social Security retirement benefits. The SSA requires proof of legal work authorization to receive benefits. Even if you have paid Social Security taxes through an employer, you cannot collect retirement benefits based on that work record.

How work credits are earned and counted

You earn work credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,705 in wages (this amount changes each year). You can earn a maximum of four credits per year. To receive retirement benefits at 65, you need 40 credits total — which usually takes about 10 years of full-time work.

Your employer withholds Social Security taxes from your paycheck automatically. Self-employed workers pay Social Security taxes when they file their income tax return. Either way, the SSA records the credits under your Social Security number. You do not have to do anything to "earn" the credit — it happens when you work and pay taxes.

You can check how many credits you have by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or state ID). Once you log in, you can see your complete work record and the number of credits you have earned.

Work done outside the United States

If you worked in another country before coming to the United States, that work may not count toward your 40 credits — unless the United States has a totalization agreement with that country. Totalization agreements let the SSA count work done in certain countries toward your U.S. Social Security benefit.

The United States has totalization agreements with about 30 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, and most Western European nations. If you worked in one of these countries, you can ask the SSA to count that work toward your credits. You will need to provide proof of work — usually a letter from your employer or a government record from that country.

To find out whether your country has an agreement with the United States, visit ssa.gov and search for "totalization agreements," or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. If an agreement exists, you can ask the SSA to review your work record and count the foreign work toward your benefit.

How to check your work record before age 65

You should check your Social Security record at least once every few years to make sure the SSA has recorded your work correctly. Mistakes happen — an employer might report your wages under the wrong name or Social Security number, or a credit might not be recorded at all. If you catch an error before you turn 65, it is much easier to fix.

The fastest way to check is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will see your complete earnings record and the number of credits you have earned each year. If you see an error — for example, a year where you worked but no credits were recorded — you can report it through your account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone in person, you can visit your local Social Security office. Bring your Social Security card, a photo ID, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (such as a green card or passport). An SSA representative can print out your work record and answer questions about your credits.

What happens if you do not have 40 credits

If you reach 65 and do not have 40 credits, you cannot receive Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work record. However, you may be able to receive benefits based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record, if you meet other requirements (such as being married for at least 10 years, in the case of an ex-spouse).

If you are close to 40 credits, you can continue working to earn more credits. Each year you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn up to four more credits. Some people work a few more years specifically to reach 40 credits and become may be able to access for benefits.

If you will never reach 40 credits, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you are 65 or older and have limited income and resources. SSI is a separate program from Social Security retirement benefits. To learn whether you may be may be able to access for SSI, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213.

Receiving benefits while living outside the United States

Once you are approved for Social Security retirement benefits, you can receive them while living in most countries. However, there are a few countries where the SSA cannot send payments — including Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and a few others. If you plan to move outside the United States, tell the SSA before you leave.

You will need to report to a U.S. embassy or consulate once per year to confirm you are still alive and may be able to access to receive benefits. The SSA will tell you how and when to do this when you move. Your benefits will continue as long as you meet the reporting requirement and remain alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive Social Security if I have a green card but am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Lawful permanent residents are treated the same as citizens for Social Security purposes. If you have 40 work credits, you can receive retirement benefits at 65. Your green card status does not affect your may be able to access.

What if I worked under a different name or Social Security number?

Contact the SSA when ready. Bring documents showing your legal name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order) and proof of your current identity. The SSA can merge your work records under your current name so all your credits count toward your benefit.

Can I receive Social Security if I am undocumented?

No. The SSA requires proof of legal work authorization to receive retirement benefits. Even if you have paid Social Security taxes, you cannot collect benefits based on that work record.

How do I prove I worked in another country for a totalization agreement?

You will need official proof from that country — usually a letter from your employer, a government work record, or a pension statement. Contact the SSA to ask what documents they need for your specific country. Some countries have online records you can request directly.

What if the SSA says I do not have enough credits?

Ask the SSA to review your complete work record, including any work done in countries with totalization agreements. If you believe there is an error, request a detailed earnings statement. You can also ask whether you may be may be able to access for benefits based on a spouse's work record or for Supplemental Security Income.