Who gets Social Security and who doesn't

You get Social Security if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years. The government tracks this through your Social Security number. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need a valid Social Security number and a work history in the United States.

The basic rule: you need 40 work credits to draw retirement benefits. You earn one credit for every $1,730 you earn in a year (this amount changes each year). Most people earn four credits per year, so 40 credits takes about 10 years of work. If you worked less than that, you will not receive retirement Social Security, but you may still be able to draw on a spouse's record or draw disability benefits if you became unable to work.

If you worked outside the United States, those years usually do not count toward your 40 credits unless you worked for a U.S. employer or the country has a totalization agreement with the United States. A totalization agreement lets the U.S. and another country combine your work records. About 30 countries have these agreements.

Key Takeaways

  • You need 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of paid work) to draw retirement Social Security, and the Social Security Administration tracks your credits through your Social Security number.
  • If you have fewer than 40 credits, you may still draw benefits based on a spouse's work record, even if you never worked yourself.
  • Work done outside the United States usually does not count unless you worked for a U.S. employer or your country has a totalization agreement with the U.S.
  • You can check your exact work credits and earnings record by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement.

How to check your own work record

The Social Security Administration keeps a record of every year you worked and how much you earned. You can see this record yourself by going to ssa.gov and creating a my Social Security account. Once you log in, you can view your Social Security Statement, which lists your earnings year by year and shows how many credits you have earned.

This step matters because the Social Security Administration sometimes makes mistakes. If your record shows you earned less than you actually did, or if years of work are missing, your future benefits will be lower than they should be. You can correct errors by contacting Social Security with proof of your earnings — usually a copy of your tax return or a letter from your employer.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask them to mail you a paper copy of your earnings record. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person.

Drawing benefits based on a spouse's work record

If you did not work enough years to earn 40 credits, you may still draw Social Security based on your spouse's work record. Your spouse must be at least 62 years old and have 40 credits themselves. You can draw spousal benefits at 62, but the amount will be permanently reduced — usually to about 32 to 35 percent of what your spouse receives at their full retirement age.

If you wait until your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), you can draw up to 50 percent of your spouse's benefit amount. This is called a spousal benefit, and it is different from your own retirement benefit.

You can also draw on an ex-spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years, are now unmarried, and are at least 62 years old. Your ex-spouse does not need to know you are drawing on their record, and it does not reduce the amount they receive.

Survivor benefits for family members

If you did not work long enough to draw retirement benefits yourself, your family members may still draw survivor benefits if you pass away. These benefits go to your spouse (at any age if caring for a child under 16), your children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school), and your parents if you were supporting them.

To draw survivor benefits, your family members do not need to have worked themselves. The Social Security Administration pays these benefits based on your work record alone. Your family should contact Social Security as soon as possible after your death to start the process.

What happens if you worked in another country

Work you did in another country usually does not count toward your 40 credits unless you worked for a U.S. company or your country has a totalization agreement with the United States. The Social Security Administration has these agreements with about 30 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, and most countries in Europe.

If your country has a totalization agreement, you can combine your U.S. work credits with work credits from that country to reach 40 credits. For example, if you worked 6 years in the United States and 5 years in Canada, those years can be combined. You will need to provide proof of your work in the other country, usually through that country's social security or pension office.

To find out whether your country has an agreement with the United States, visit ssa.gov and search for "totalization agreements," or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

When to contact Social Security

Contact Social Security if you are within three years of your planned retirement date and want to know exactly what your benefit will be. They can give you a detailed estimate based on your actual earnings record. You should also contact them if you notice errors in your earnings record, if you worked in another country, or if you think you may draw on a spouse's or ex-spouse's record.

You can reach Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning and early in the week. You can also visit ssa.gov to create a my Social Security account, which lets you view your earnings record and request a benefit estimate without calling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I worked for the railroad instead of regular employment?

Railroad work is handled separately by the Railroad Retirement Board, not Social Security. If you worked for a railroad company for at least 10 years, you may draw railroad retirement benefits instead of Social Security. Contact the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 or visit rrb.gov to check your record.

Can I draw Social Security if I never worked in the United States?

No, you cannot draw retirement Social Security without U.S. work credits. However, if you are married to someone with 40 credits, you may draw a spousal benefit at 62. If you worked in another country that has a totalization agreement with the U.S., you may combine those years with any U.S. work you did.

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

Contact Social Security when ready with proof of your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Social Security can combine earnings records from different names under one Social Security number. Bring your proof and your Social Security card to a local office, or call 1-800-772-1213 to report the change by phone.

Do I lose Social Security if I move out of the country?

You can draw Social Security while living in most countries. However, if you move to Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, or Crimea, your benefits will stop. If you move to another country, notify Social Security before you leave so they can update your address and continue your payments.

How much will my benefit be if I have exactly 40 credits?

Your benefit amount depends on how much you earned during your working years, not just on having 40 credits. Higher lifetime earnings mean a higher benefit. The only way to know your exact amount is to view your Social Security Statement on ssa.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a benefit estimate.