You earn Social Security credits by working and paying payroll taxes
A Social Security credit is a record of your work and the taxes you paid into the system. You earn one credit for every $1,770 of wages or self-employment income you make in 2024 — though this dollar amount changes each year. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, no matter how much you earn above that threshold.
When you work, your employer (or you, if you're self-employed) sends a portion of your earnings to Social Security as payroll tax. That payment is what generates your credits. The Social Security Administration tracks these credits under your Social Security number and uses them to determine whether you can receive retirement, disability, or survivor benefits later.
Credits stay on your record permanently. You don't lose them if you stop working, change jobs, or move. They accumulate over your lifetime of work, which is why someone who worked part-time for many years can still have enough credits to receive benefits.
Key Takeaways
- You earn one credit for approximately $1,770 of earnings in 2024, with a maximum of four credits per year.
- The dollar amount needed to earn a credit increases slightly most years, so the threshold will be different in 2025 and beyond.
- Most people need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits, which typically takes about 10 years of work.
- Credits are recorded under your Social Security number and remain on your record even if you stop working or change jobs.
- You can check how many credits you have earned by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement.
How many credits you need for different types of benefits
The number of credits required depends on the type of benefit you're seeking. For retirement benefits, you need 40 credits total. Since you can earn a maximum of four credits per year, this means you typically need about 10 years of work history. You can start receiving retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait until your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year).
For disability benefits, the credit requirement is lower and depends on your age when you become disabled. If you're under 24, you may need only six credits earned in the three years before you became disabled. If you're between 24 and 31, you typically need credits for half the time between age 21 and when you became disabled. If you're 31 or older, you usually need 20 credits, with at least five earned in the 10 years before disability.
For survivor benefits — which your family members may receive if you die — you need between 6 and 40 credits depending on your age at death. A younger worker needs fewer credits because they haven't had as much time to work. Your spouse and children can receive benefits based on your work record even if you never received benefits yourself.
The dollar amount changes each year
The earnings threshold for one credit is not fixed. The Social Security Administration adjusts it annually based on changes in average wages across the country. In 2023, you needed $1,640 to earn one credit. In 2024, that amount rose to $1,770. In 2025, it will be different again.
You can find the current year's credit value on the Social Security Administration website at ssa.gov, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask. The amount typically increases by a small percentage each year, but it's worth checking if you're close to earning another credit in a given year.
How to check your credits and work history
The Social Security Administration maintains a record of every credit you've earned. You can view this record yourself by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you log in, you'll see your Social Security Statement, which lists your earnings history year by year and shows how many credits you've earned.
Your statement also shows an estimate of what your retirement, disability, or survivor benefits might be. This estimate is based on your current work history and assumes you continue working until your full retirement age. If you notice errors in your earnings record — for example, if an employer didn't report your wages correctly — you should contact Social Security right away to have it corrected. Errors can affect your benefit amount.
If you don't have internet access or prefer to request your statement by mail, you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a paper copy. The Social Security Administration will mail it to you within two weeks.
What happens if you don't have enough credits
If you reach retirement age but don't have 40 credits, you won't be able to receive retirement benefits based on your own work record. However, you may still have other options. If you're married, you might be able to receive benefits based on your spouse's work record — even if your spouse is still working. If you're divorced and were married for at least 10 years, you may be able to use your ex-spouse's record.
If you're not yet retirement age and don't have enough credits for disability benefits, you can continue working to earn more credits. Each year you work adds up to four more credits to your record. Some people return to work part-time specifically to build up their credit count before retirement.
It's also worth noting that credits earned decades ago still count. If you worked in your 20s and then took time out of the workforce to raise children or care for family, the credits you earned earlier remain on your record and count toward your 40-credit requirement.
Credits for self-employed workers
If you're self-employed, you earn credits the same way as employees — based on your net earnings from self-employment. However, you pay both the employer and employee portions of Social Security tax, which is called self-employment tax. You report this on your tax return using Schedule SE.
The earnings threshold for self-employed workers is the same as for employees: roughly $1,770 in 2024 to earn one credit. If you have a small business or do freelance work, make sure you're reporting your income accurately to Social Security so your credits are recorded correctly. Underreporting income means fewer credits on your record, which could reduce your future benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you earn more than four credits in a single year?
No. The maximum is four credits per year, regardless of how much you earn. Once you've earned four credits in a year, additional earnings don't generate more credits. However, those earnings still count toward your lifetime work record and may increase your benefit amount.
What if I worked in another country — do those credits count?
It depends on the country and whether there's a Social Security agreement in place. The United States has agreements with about 30 countries that allow workers to combine credits earned in both countries. Contact the Social Security Administration or visit ssa.gov to learn whether your country has an agreement and how to report foreign earnings.
Do you need to work every year to keep your credits?
No. Credits don't expire or disappear if you stop working. Once you earn a credit, it stays on your record permanently. You can take years off work and your credits will still be there when you need them for benefits.
How do credits affect how much money you receive each month?
Credits determine whether you're may be able to access for benefits, but your monthly payment amount is based on your average earnings over your lifetime. Higher earnings history means a higher monthly benefit. The Social Security Administration calculates this using your 35 highest-earning years (or fewer if you have fewer than 35 years of work).
Can family members earn credits on my work record?
No. Credits are individual — only you earn credits based on your own work and taxes paid. However, your family members (spouse, children, ex-spouse) may be able to receive benefits based on your work record and credits, even though they didn't earn those credits themselves.