General

Question:

How do I earn Social Security credits and how many do I need to qualify for benefits?

Answer:

We use your total yearly earnings to figure your Social Security credits. The amount needed for a credit in 2022 is $1,510. You can earn a maximum of four credits for any year. The amount needed to earn one credit usually increases each year when average wages increase.

You must earn a certain number of credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit application. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit. You can read more about credits in How You Earn Credits at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

For more information, visit our website at www.ssa.gov.

Question:

I prefer reading by audio book. Does Social Security have audio publications?

Answer:

Yes, we do. You can find them at www.ssa.gov/pubs. Some of the publications available include What You Can Do Online, Working While Disabled - How We Can Help, Apply Online for Social Security Benefits, and Your Social Security Card and Number. You can listen now at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

Retirement

Question:

I have never worked but my spouse has. What will my benefits be?

Answer:

You can be entitled to as much as one-half of your spouse’s benefit amount when you reach full retirement age. If you decide to receive Social Security retirement benefits before you reach full re-tirement age, the amount of your benefit is reduced. The amount of reduction depends on when you will reach full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement age is 66, you can get 35 percent of your spouse’s unreduced benefit at age 62 (a permanent reduction); if your full retirement age is 67, you can get 32.5 percent of your spouse’s unreduced benefit at age 62 (a permanent reduction).

The amount of your benefit increases if your entitlement begins at a later age, up to the maximum of 50 percent at full retirement age. However, if you are taking care of a child who is under age 16 or who gets Social Security disability benefits on your spouse’s record, you get the full spouse’s benefits, regardless of your age. Learn more about retirement benefits at www.ssa.gov/retirement.

Question:

I am nearing my full retirement age, but I plan to keep working after I apply for Social Security benefits. Will my benefits be reduced because of my income?

Answer:

No. If you start receiving benefits after you’ve reached your full retirement age, you can work while you receive Social Security and your current benefit will not be reduced because of the earned income. If you keep working, it could mean a higher benefit for you in the future. Higher benefits can be important to you later in life and increase the future benefit amounts your survivors could receive. If you begin receiving benefits before your full retirement age, your earnings could reduce your monthly benefit amount. After you reach full retirement age, we recalculate your bene-fit amount to leave out the months when we reduced or withheld benefits due to your excess earn-ings. Learn more about Social Security reading our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10069.html.

Disability

Question:

I have been getting Social Security disability benefits for many years. I’m about to hit my full re-tirement age. What will happen to my disability benefits?

Answer:

When you reach “full retirement age,” we will switch you from disability to retirement benefits. But you won’t even notice the change because your benefit amount will stay the same. It’s just that when you reach retirement age, we consider you to be a “retiree” and not a disability beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.ssa.gov.

Question:

Will my Social Security disability benefit increase if my condition gets worse or I develop addi-tional health problems?

Answer:

No. We do not base your Social Security benefit amount on the severity of your disability. The amount you are paid is based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. If you go back to work after getting disability benefits, you may be able to get a higher benefit based on those earnings. In addition, we have incentives that allow you to work temporarily without losing your disability benefits. For more information about disability benefits, read our publications Disa-bility Benefits and Working While Disabled — How We Can Help. Both are available online at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

Supplemental Security Income

Question:

Is it true that a person can own a home and still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?

Answer:

Yes. A person who owns a home and lives in that home can be eligible for SSI benefits. Although there is an asset limit for people to qualify for SSI, some things don’t count toward that limit, such as a house, a vehicle, and some funds set aside for burial expenses. To learn more about SSI and the eligibility requirements, browse our booklet, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at www.ssa.gov/pubs/11000.html.

Question:

My 15-year-old sister has been blind since birth. I think she should apply for Supplemental Securi-ty Income (SSI), but my parents think because she’s a minor, they’re responsible for her and she won’t qualify. Who is right?

Answer:

To qualify for SSI, an individual must meet certain income and resource limits. Since your sister is a minor, some of your parents’ income and resources will determine whether your sister is eligible for SSI. Once your sister turns 18, their income and resources won’t be considered when deciding her eligibility and payment amount. Tell your parents they can check with any Social Security of-fice to see if your sister qualifies. To learn more, visit www.ssa.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Medicare

Question:

I didn’t enroll in Medicare Part B back when my Part A started a few years ago. Can I enroll now?

Answer:

It depends. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B, medical insurance, begins January 1 and runs through March 31. Keep in mind that although there is no monthly premium for Medi-care Part A, there will be a premium for your Medicare Part B. In most cases, that premium goes up each 12-month period you were eligible for it and elected not to enroll. If you are covered by a group healthcare plan based on your employment or the employment of a spouse, you may qualify for a special enrollment. Special enrollments may be processed at any point during the year, but require proof of coverage. To find out more about Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov or www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/.