Social Security credits
Units you earn by working and paying Social Security tax. You need 40 credits to qualify for retirement benefits.
In 2026, you earn 1 credit for every $1,890 of covered earnings, up to 4 credits a year. Forty credits usually takes about 10 years of work.
Credits only decide whether you qualify. The size of your benefit comes from your highest 35 years of earnings, not from how many credits you have.