Social Security Credits 
You must earn at least 40 Social Security credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. You earn Social Security credits when you work and pay Social Security taxes. The number of credits does not affect the amount of benefits you receive. It only determines if you are eligible or not. You do not get extra benefits for earning more than the minimum number of credits. We cannot pay benefits to you if you don t have enough credits. We use the amount of credits you ve earned to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits, as well as your family s eligibility for survivors benefits when you die. 

How Credits Are Earned 
Since 1978 , when you work and pay Social Security taxes , you earn up to a maximum of four credits per year. Credits are based on your total wages and self - employment income for the year. You might work all year to earn four credits , or you might earn enough for all four in much less time. The amount of earnings it takes to earn a credit may change each year. In 2020 , you earn one Social Security or Medicare credit for every $1,410 in covered earnings each year. You must earn $5,640 to get the maximum four credits for the year. During your lifetime , you might earn more credits than the minimum number you need to be eligible for benefits. These extra credits do not increase your benefit amount. The average of your earnings over your working years , not the total number of credits you earn , determines how much your monthly payment will be when you receive benefits. Read our publication, " How You Earn Credits, " for more information. 

Number Of Credits Needed For Retirement Benefits 
If you were born after 1928 , you need 40 credits to qualify for retirement. 

Number Of Credits Needed For Disability Benefits 
To be eligible for disability benefits , you must meet a recent work test and a duration work test. The number of credits necessary to meet the recent work test depends on your age. The rule

user: You can tell me how many social security credits I require to get benefits.

assistant: Of course. You must earn at least 40 Social Security credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. You earn Social Security credits when you work and pay Social Security taxes. 

user: 40 it is. So what do I need to do to be eligible for disability benefits?

assistant: You must meet a recent work test and a duration work test.

user: Back to those credits: do extra credits increase the amount of benefit I get?

assistant: These extra credits do not increase your benefit amount. The average of your earnings over your working years counts, not the total number of credits you earn.

user: Let's say I got disabled at 27, how many credits would I require for the disability benefits?

assistant: You would need 3 years of work, 12 credits out of the past 6 years between ages 21 and 27.

user: How many credits would I need to pass the work test?

assistant: The number of credits necessary to meet the recent work test depends on your age. 

user: Okay, I get that. How do I earn credits then?

assistant: Do you work and pay Social Security taxes?

user: Yes, to both.

assistant: Then you can earn up to a maximum of four credits per year.