Everyone born in 1929 or later needs 40 Social Security credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. You can earn up to four credits per year, so you will need to work at least 10 years to become eligible for retirement benefits.
During your working years, earnings covered by Social Security are posted to your Social Security record and you earn credits based on those earnings.
Each year the amount of earnings needed for a credit rises as average earnings levels rise. In 2013, you receive one credit for each $1,160 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year.
Note: If you become disabled before age 62, the number of credits needed for entitlement to disability benefits depends on your age at the time you become disabled. If you die before age 62, the number of credits needed for eligible family members to receivesurvivor’s benefits on your record depends on your age at the time you die.