You must earn at least 40 Social Security credits to qualify for Social Security benefits.
Alright, and how do I earn those credits?
You earn Social Security credits when you work and pay Social Security taxes.
What if I'm statutorily blind and I'm facing a work test?
In that case you must only meet the duration of work test.
That's good to know. Back to the credits. Does the number of credits decide the amount of benefits I get?
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.
How much do I need to earn to get a credit?
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.
And how many credits do I need for retirement benefits?
Were you born after 1928?