How to Qualify for Social Security

A person who works and pays social security taxes earns social security "credits." In 2013, one social security credit is received for each $1,160 of earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year. In future years, the amount of earnings needed for a credit may rise if average earnings levels in the country rise. The credits earned remain on the Social Security Administration's records, even if you change jobs or have a period of no earnings.

The number of credits needed to get full retirement benefits depends on the wage earner's date of birth. If the wage earner was born after 1928, 40 credits (10 years of work) are needed. Most people will earn many more credits than they need to qualify, but these extra credits do not in themselves increase the size of your monthly social security benefit. It is the amount of income earned while working that determines the size of the retirement benefits.

You may qualify for social security benefits as a wage earner or as a spouse of a wage earner, even if you are divorced, so long as you were married 10 years or more and have not remarried. Spouses' benefits are generally equal to half of the amount of the primary wage earner's benefit. In some cases, your benefit as a spouse may be larger than your benefit as a wage earner. If you've been married, social security will pay you the higher of either your own benefit, or half of your spouse's benefit. Unfortunately, you can't get both.