How Many Credits Do You Need To Collect Social Security in California?

September 11, 2025

When it comes to qualifying for Social Security benefits, whether retirement, disability, or survivors’ benefits, one of the most important eligibility factors is the number of Social Security work credits you have earned. These credits are essentially the building blocks of your eligibility, and the rules for how many you need depend on the type of benefit you’re applying for and your age at the time of application.

For California residents, the rules are set by federal law and apply uniformly across all states. To ensure that you don’t miss out on benefits you may be entitled to receive, you should speak to a Social Security attorney in California as soon as possible.

What Are Social Security Work Credits?

Social Security work credits are a measure of your work history and the taxes you have paid into the Social Security system through payroll deductions or self-employment taxes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) tracks these credits to determine whether you qualify for benefits. 

You earn credits based on your income, not the number of hours you work.

• In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in covered earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year.
• The dollar amount required for a credit typically increases slightly each year to keep pace with inflation.

For example, if you earn $6,920 in a year in covered wages or self-employment income, you have earned the maximum four credits for that year, regardless of whether you worked all 12 months or just a few.

The Role of Work Credits in California Social Security Eligibility

Although Social Security is a federal program, the rules for credits apply to all states, including California. This means your eligibility for retirement, disability, or survivors’ benefits is based on your lifetime accumulation of credits, regardless of where you worked in the United States.

However, California’s high cost of living often makes these benefits especially important to residents. Ensuring you meet the credit requirements is essential because if you fall short, you can’t collect benefits even if you have serious health conditions or are otherwise in need.

How Many Credits Do You Need for Social Security Retirement Benefits?

To qualify for retirement benefits in California, most people need 40 credits, which equals about 10 years of work.

• You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, so if you work steadily, you can meet the requirement in a decade.
• It doesn’t matter whether those years are consecutive. Credits accumulate over your lifetime, so part-time or seasonal workers can still eventually reach the 40-credit threshold.

Retirement benefits can be claimed as early as age 62, though doing so will result in a reduced monthly amount. Full retirement age (FRA) depends on your birth year, ranging from 66 to 67 for most current applicants.

How Many Credits Do You Need for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits?

Disability benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are intended for individuals who have worked and paid into the system but can no longer work due to a severe medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death.

The number of credits needed for SSDI depends on your age when you became disabled. The SSA uses two tests:

1. Recent Work Test: Ensures you have worked recently enough before becoming disabled
2. Duration of Work Test: Ensures you have worked long enough over your lifetime to qualify

General SSDI Credit Requirements by Age

• Before age 24: You generally need six credits earned in the three years ending when your disability starts.
• Age 24 to 31: You need credits for working half the time between the age of 21 and the time you became disabled. For example, if you became disabled at 29, you would need credits for four years of work (16 credits).
• Age 31 and older: You generally need at least 20 credits earned in the 10 years immediately before becoming disabled.

For most workers over 31, having 40 credits (20 of which were earned in the last 10 years) will satisfy the requirement.

How Many Credits Do You Need for Survivor Benefits?

Survivor benefits are paid to family members of a worker who has died. The number of credits required depends on the deceased worker’s age at the time of death.

• A worker can earn survivor protection with as few as six credits if they die at a young age.
• No one needs more than 40 credits to qualify for any Social Security benefit.

If a worker dies young, the SSA has special rules that allow surviving spouses and children to collect social security benefits even if the deceased didn’t meet the standard credit requirements.

Special Rules for Younger Workers

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Social Security is that younger workers who become disabled or die don’t need as many credits as older workers. The SSA recognizes that someone in their 20s or early 30s may not have had enough time to accumulate 40 credits.

For example:

• A 27-year-old who becomes disabled might need only 12 credits (three years of work) to qualify.
• This provision ensures younger individuals aren’t left without support solely because they haven’t been in the workforce for long.

Can Credits Expire?

Social Security Credits you earn never expire. Once you have earned a credit, it remains on your record for life. However, for disability benefits, you must have earned a certain number of credits recently to meet the recent work test.

For example, someone who worked for many years, earned 40 credits, but stopped working 15 years ago, might qualify for retirement benefits later, but may not qualify for disability benefits if they become disabled today.

How to Check Your Work Credits

The SSA provides an easy way to check your work credits through your “my Social Security” account online. You can:

• Review your earnings record year-by-year
• See how many credits you have earned
• Estimate future benefits

It’s important to periodically check your record to ensure your earnings are reported accurately. Mistakes in your record could reduce your benefits or delay your eligibility.

What Happens if You Do Not Have Enough Credits?

If you don’t have enough credits for retirement or disability benefits, you generally cannot collect those benefits based on your own work record. However, you might still be eligible for:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A needs-based program for people with disabilities, blindness, or those over age 65 with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
• Spousal or Survivor Benefits: You may qualify for a benefit amount based on a spouse’s or parent’s work record.

How California Workers Can Plan Ahead

California workers should track their credits early and often. While the SSA rules are nationwide, California’s economic realities, such as higher housing costs, make it vital to receive benefits on time.

Planning tips include:

• Keep consistent records of your employment and income.
• Ensure employers correctly report your earnings to the SSA.
• Work enough each year to earn the maximum four credits when possible.
• Consider the impact of part-time or self-employment income on your credit accumulation.
• Understand how breaks in your work history may affect disability benefit eligibility.

Social Security Matters for Your Financial Future and Retirement 

When planning for your financial future, it’s important to understand how Social Security works and how it ties into your overall retirement planning. You pay Social Security taxes through the payroll tax rate, and by working, you can earn Social Security credits (up to four credits per year) based on your adjusted gross income. 

Your benefits are calculated using your average indexed monthly earnings, which determine your primary insurance amount in your primary insurance account. Factors like your combined income can also affect whether you pay income tax on your benefits.

Some people choose to delay Social Security to increase their monthly payments, but remember that investing involves risk, so balancing timing with other financial strategies is important.

Choose Our California Social Security Disability Attorneys

When an unexpected disability changes your life, the last thing you need is the stress of dealing with the Social Security Disability process alone. At Pisegna and Zimmerman, LLC, we bring deep legal knowledge along with a compassionate, client-focused approach to help you get the benefits you need.

With over 60 years of combined experience, our boutique firm can dedicate the time, resources, and personalized attention each case requires. Our goal is to ensure you have the maximum possible financial support you need.

Our Practice Areas Include:

• Social Security Disability Title II (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income Title XVI (SSI)

Our lawyers provide customized legal strategies and maintain consistent, clear communication throughout your claim. Our team also offers services in multiple languages, including Spanish, Farsi, Armenian, and Cambodian, so more individuals can access the help they need.

What Sets Us Apart:

• No upfront attorney fees or retainer, as we work on a contingency fee basis
• Knowledge of Social Security Administration processes and timelines
• Proven strategies to help expedite claims and appeals.
• Compassionate representation from start to finish

At Pisegna and Zimmerman, LLC, our mission is to fight for your rights, guide you every step of the way, and secure the benefits you need to move forward. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (818) 377-2200 or contact us online.