You can check your work credits on your Social Security account or by calling Social Security directly
Your Social Security work credits are a record of the wages you have earned and the taxes you have paid into the system. Social Security keeps track of how many credits you have earned each year. To find out your current total, you have two main routes: create a free account on ssa.gov and view your statement online, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to tell you over the phone.
You earn one credit for every $1,730 of wages you earn in a year (this dollar amount changes each year, so the threshold is different depending on when you worked). You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, no matter how much you earn. Most people need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits — that is roughly 10 years of work — though the number required varies depending on what type of benefit you are seeking.
Key Takeaways
- You can view your complete work credit history by logging into your personal Social Security account at ssa.gov, which shows credits earned year by year.
- You earn one credit for every $1,730 of wages in a calendar year, and you can earn no more than four credits per year.
- If you find an error in your record — missing years, wrong employer names, or credits that should have been counted — you can contact Social Security with your W-2 forms or tax returns as proof.
- Younger workers need fewer total credits to receive disability or survivor benefits than older workers do, so your age matters when you check your record.
How to access your Social Security statement online
Go to ssa.gov and select "Create an account" if you do not already have one. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number. Social Security will verify your identity by asking questions about your financial history — this usually takes a few minutes and happens right on the screen.
Once you are logged in, look for "Benefit Estimates" or "View Your Statement." Your statement will show your earnings record year by year, the number of credits you earned each year, and your total credits to date. The statement also estimates what your retirement, disability, or survivor benefits might be, based on your current work record.
Print or save this statement for your records. If you plan to dispute any information on it, having a copy makes it easier to show Social Security exactly which years or amounts are wrong.
What to do if you cannot create an online account
If you do not have an email address, do not feel comfortable creating an online account, or prefer to speak with someone directly, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.
Tell the representative that you want to know how many work credits you have earned. They can read your record to you over the phone and answer questions about specific years. If you spot an error during the call, ask the representative how to report it and what documents you will need to send in.
How to correct errors in your work credit record
If you see missing years, wrong employer names, or credits that should have been counted but were not, contact Social Security as soon as you notice the mistake. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to fix. You will need to provide proof — usually a W-2 form, a tax return, or a pay stub from the year in question.
Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring the documents that show the correct information. Social Security will investigate and update your record if the evidence supports your claim. This process can take several weeks, so follow up if you do not hear back within a month.
If you are self-employed, bring copies of your tax returns for the years you believe are missing or incorrect. Self-employment income counts toward Social Security credits the same way wage income does, but it is reported differently, so having your tax documents on hand speeds up the review.
Understanding credit requirements for different types of benefits
The number of credits you need depends on what benefit you are seeking and how old you are. For retirement benefits, you need 40 credits total — most people earn this by working about 10 years. For disability benefits, the number of credits required depends on your age when you become disabled. A worker who becomes disabled at age 30 needs fewer credits than one who becomes disabled at age 50.
For survivor benefits — money paid to your family members if you die — your family members may be able to receive benefits even if you have not yet earned 40 credits. The exact number required varies by your age at death. Your Social Security statement will show you whether you currently have enough credits for each type of benefit.
What happens if you do not have enough credits yet
If your statement shows you do not yet have 40 credits, you can continue working to earn more. Each year you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn new credits. You do not need to work every single year — you just need to earn enough wages in a calendar year to reach the credit threshold for that year.
If you are close to retirement age and do not have 40 credits, Social Security can tell you how many more years of work you would need. Some people choose to keep working a few more years to reach 40 credits. Others may be able to receive benefits based on a spouse's work record instead, even if they do not have 40 credits of their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my work credits if I have not worked in the United States?
If you worked outside the United States, those credits may not count toward Social Security unless you worked for a U.S. employer or were a U.S. citizen at the time. Some countries have agreements with the United States that allow work in those countries to count. Call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your specific work history.
What if I worked under a different name or Social Security number in the past?
If you changed your name or Social Security number, you can ask Social Security to link your old work record to your current number. Bring documents that show the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — and your old Social Security number if you remember it. This ensures all your credits are counted together.
Do credits expire if I do not use them right away?
No. Work credits do not expire. Once you earn a credit, it stays on your record permanently. You can earn credits over many years and then use them to receive benefits whenever you are ready, as long as you meet the other requirements for the benefit you are seeking.
How do I know if my spouse's work record would give me more benefits than my own?
Your Social Security statement shows estimates based on your own work record. To compare what you might receive based on your spouse's record, you would need to contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213. A representative can explain both options and help you understand which would be larger.