Social Security Retirement Benefits Eligibility
In 2020 1 410 in income from covered employment that is work in which you paid social security taxes equals one work credit.
Social security retirement benefits eligibility. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960 until it reaches 67. Eligible dependents may include a spouse age 62 or older. You can reach your four credit maximum by earning at least 5 640 for the year. To retire and qualify for benefits a worker must earn a total of 40 work credits throughout their working lifetime.
The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. A spouse of any age who cares for your dependent child who is younger than 16 or disabled. If you were born in 1953 or earlier you re already eligible for your full social security benefit. If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse s benefits you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits.
You can begin at any time and do not have to wait until another age cut off. It provides replacement income for qualified retirees and their families. If you qualify for retirement benefits social security also may provide benefits to other family members under certain conditions without reducing the benefits that go to you. Social security computes the actual benefit amount based on the highest 35 years of work where credits are earned.
Am i eligible for social security benefits. If someone dies young dependent children and spouses may be entitled to survivor benefits. The minimum age to start claiming social security retirement benefits is 62. If you re unemployed and weighing whether to claim now here s what you need to.
A credit is defined as earning at least 1 170 in a quarter. You can apply for social security retirement benefits any time after you reach 62. This section of our website helps you better understand the program the application process and the online tools and resources available to you. People age 62 and up may decide to start collecting social security retirement benefits early to plug the income gap.
If you are divorced if you are divorced and your marriage lasted at least 10 years you may be able to get benefits on your former spouse s record. Once you reach 62 think of it like open enrollment. Workers qualify for social security retirement benefits when they reach 40 lifetime credits. Social security is part of the retirement plan for almost every american worker.
For more information see filing rules for retirement and spouses benefits.