Number of credits needed for retirement benefits

The number of work credits you need to get retirement benefits depends on your date of birth.

If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work). People born before 1929 need fewer than 40 credits (39 credits if born in 1928; 38 credits if born in 1927; etc.)

Click on any of the following topics for more information about:

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