Social security how many quarters to qualify

The process to correct errors is slow. It may take several months to have the changes made in your record. After Social Security confirms that it has corrected your record, request another benefits statement to make sure the correct information made it to your file. As your statement will show, your Social Security retirement benefits will vary depending on when you claim them before or after your full retirement age , depending on the year you were born.

The longer you wait to start receiving payments, the higher your benefit amount will be. However, it's not always better to wait until your full retirement age to claim your Social Security benefits. If you need your Social Security benefits for living expenses, or you have a health condition that makes it unlikely that you will live past age 75 or so, you may be better off collecting your benefits sooner rather than later. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.

The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Find out your estimated Social Security benefits. Now Reading:. Membership My Account. Rewards for Good.

Share with facebook. Share with twitter. Share with linkedin. Share using email. Istock Understanding how Social Security benefits are calculated can help you plan your financial future. So how much will I get? See also: AARP Social Security Calculator The purpose of the calculation is to adjust your career earnings to reflect the changes in general wage levels that took place during the years of your career.

How does that calculation work? Does the PIA affect other benefit amounts, too? We have the answers. Family Caregiving. Leaving AARP. Got it! Please don't show me this again for 90 days. Cancel Continue. Thank You. Understand the ins and outs of insurance to cover the high cost of nursing home care, including when to buy it, how much to buy, and which spouse should get the coverage. We explain the five phases of retirement planning, the difference between a k and an IRA, types of investments, asset diversification, the required minimum distribution rules, and more.

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Get a solid grounding in Social Security, including who is eligible, how to apply, spousal benefits, the taxation of benefits, how work affects payments, and SSDI and SSI. Learn how a special needs trust can preserve assets for a person with disabilities without jeopardizing Medicaid and SSI, and how to plan for when caregivers are gone.

Find local attorneys. March 6th, Read more. How to Qualify for Medicare Read more. X Need more information? How often would you like to receive Updates? Once a week More than once a week. Cancel Subscribe. Related Articles and Subscriptions. The amount of earnings required to earn one work credit is set by the Social Security Administration and subject to change on a yearly basis. You can earn a maximum of four work credits in one year, one work credit for each quarter.

Generally speaking, to be insured for SSDI benefits you must have earned at least 20 work credits during the past 40 quarters 10 years prior to the onset of your disability.