Who is eligible to collect Social Security benefits?
The specific requirements vary depending on the type of benefits, the age of the person filing the claim and, if you are claiming as a dependent or survivor, the age of the worker. There is a general requirement, however, that everyone must meet to receive one of these Social Security benefits: the worker on whose earnings record the benefit is to be paid must have worked in “covered employment” for a sufficient number of years — that is, earned what Social Security calls work credits — by the time he or she claims retirement benefits, becomes disabled or dies. To find out about your eligibility, call the Social Security Administration, 800-772-1213. Note that Social Security eligibility rules have recently changed for some specific types of workers including federal, state and local government workers, workers for nonprofit organizations, members of the military, household workers and farm workers. If you have been employed for some time as one of these types of workers, check with
The specific eligibility requirements for Social Security benefits vary depending on the type of benefits, the age of the person filing the claim and, if you are claiming as a dependent or survivor, the age of the worker. There is one general requirement, however, that applies to all Social Security programs except for SSI (Supplemental Security Income): The worker on whose earnings record the benefit is to be paid must have worked in “covered employment” for a sufficient number of years — that is, earned enough of what Social Security calls work credits — by the time he or she claims retirement benefits, becomes disabled, or dies. This usually means a total of at least ten years of work. For Social Security retirement benefits, you must be between the ages of 62 and 70 to start collecting benefits. To check on your eligibility, see Social Security: Checking Your Earnings and Benefits or call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
The specific requirements vary depending on the type of benefits, the age of the person filing the claim and, if you are claiming as a dependent or survivor, the age of the worker. There is one general requirement, however: The worker on whose earnings record the benefit is to be paid must have worked in “covered employment” for a sufficient number of years — that is, earned enough of what Social Security calls work credits — by the time he or she claims retirement benefits, becomes disabled, or dies. This usually means a total of at least ten years of work at which you or your employer paid into Social Security. To find out about your eligibility, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. Note that Social Security has separate eligibility rules for some specific types of workers, including federal, state, and local government workers, workers for nonprofit organizations, members of the military, household workers, and farm workers. If you have been employed for some t
The specific eligibility requirements for Social Security benefits vary depending on the type of benefits, the age of the person filing the claim, and, if you are claiming as a dependent or survivor, the age of the worker. There is one general requirement, however, that applies to all Social Security programs except for SSI (Supplemental Security Income): The worker on whose earnings record the benefit is to be paid must have worked in “covered employment” for a sufficient number of years — that is, earned enough of what Social Security calls work credits — by the time he or she claims retirement benefits, becomes disabled, or dies. This usually means a total of at least ten years of work. For Social Security retirement benefits, you must be between the ages of 62 and 70 to start collecting benefits. To check on your eligibility, see Checking Your Social Security Earnings and Benefits or call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
