In the United States, many people believe they need a long career to access Social Security benefits, but the reality is simpler. You don’t need decades on the job — just 10 years of work may be enough to qualify. The key to unlocking Social Security benefits lies in earning work credits, which you accumulate based on your earnings through the years.
What Are Work Credits?
Work credits are the building blocks of Social Security eligibility. The amount you earn determines how many credits you accrue each year, not necessarily the number of years you’ve worked. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in covered earnings. To earn the maximum of four credits in a year, you’ll need to make at least $6,920. Once you’ve accumulated 40 credits over the course of your career, you’ve met the basic requirement to qualify for Social Security benefits.
10 Years is All It Takes
It might surprise some, but you don’t have to work 40 continuous years to qualify for benefits. Even if you have gaps in your employment history or switch jobs or careers, as long as you earn 40 credits throughout your working life, you’re eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. It’s not about how long you worked, but how much you earned during those years.
However, reaching 40 credits doesn’t guarantee a large monthly benefit. The amount you receive is based on your lifetime earnings, so while 10 years of qualifying work is enough to enter the system, the benefit amount will vary depending on your overall income during your career.
Falling Short of 40 Credits: What Happens?
If you fall short of the 40-credit requirement, you might not be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits at all. If you’ve worked for only a few years or worked in jobs that didn’t pay into Social Security, you may not qualify. The problem is that work credits are specific to Social Security and don’t carry over to other federal programs. If you were paid under the table, in cash, or held jobs that didn’t contribute to Social Security, those earnings won’t count toward your credits.
Without enough credits, you won’t receive any monthly benefits, which can be a harsh reality for some when they reach retirement age. To avoid this situation, it’s important to understand how many credits you’ve earned and how close you are to reaching 40. You can check your Social Security statement online to track your progress and get an estimate of what your monthly benefit might be when you reach retirement age.
The Bottom Line: Reaching 40 Credits
Getting those 40 credits might seem like a small goal, but it’s an important step toward securing a reliable source of income for the rest of your life. While your earnings determine how much you’ll receive, having the 40 credits ensures you’re eligible for Social Security benefits. For many, that check could make a significant difference in their retirement years.
So, while you don’t need a long career to unlock Social Security, working smart and staying on track to earn those credits can provide financial stability in your later years.
