Social Security credits

Credits are the "building blocks" we use to find out whether you have the minimum amount of covered work to qualify for each type of Social Security benefits. If you stop working before you have enough credits to qualify for benefits, your credits will stay on your record. If you return to work later on, you can add more credits so that you can qualify. No benefits can be paid if you do not have enough credits.

Click on the following topics for more information about:

• How credits are earned
• Number of credits needed for retirement benefits
• Number of credits needed for disability benefits
• Number of credits needed for survivors benefits