Who Is Eligible For Social Security Benefits?

Eligibility depends on length of employment, number of "work credits."

In order to qualify for Social Security benefits for themselves and their dependents, workers must earn a specified number of work credits. A work credit is earned when your wages for the year reach a specified amount, which is adjusted periodically. In 1999, workers earned one credit for each $740 they earned. However, no matter how much money you earn, you cannot earn more than four work credits in any one year.

In general, in order to receive retirement benefits from Social Security, you will need to have worked for at least ten years and have earned 40 work credits. The number of credits you need to have earned in order to receive disability benefits varies, depending on the year in which you were born and the year in which you became disabled. For example, a worker who was born in 1949 and became disabled in 1999 needed 7 years or 28 credits to be eligible for disability benefits. But a worker born in 1974 who became disabled in 1999 needed credit for having worked half the time between age 21 and the time he became disabled. And other variations apply to determine dependents' eligibility for survivors' benefits.

In addition to having earned enough work credits, other criteria must also be met before you become eligible for Social Security benefits. To receive retirement benefits, you must be 62 years of age or older. To receive benefits as the dependent spouse of a retired worker, in most cases you must also be at least 62 years of age, although there are exceptions. Children of retired, disabled, or deceased workers are entitled to benefits as well, provided they meet Social Security's eligibility requirements. Your local Social Security office has the most current information on eligibility requirements.