2.6 Million Seniors at Risk of Losing Social Security Benefits – Know Why and How to Claim Your Benefits

Did you know that 2.6 million Americans aged 60 and over will never receive Social Security benefits? For most retirees, Social Security serves as a crucial income stream, but not everyone qualifies. With over 77 million current and future beneficiaries in the U.S., knowing the requirements is essential to securing these benefits.

Eligibility

To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you must meet specific criteria:

• You need to have worked and contributed to Social Security taxes for at least 10 years.
• During this time, you must earn a total of 40 credits, with a maximum of four credits available each year.

For 2025, earning one credit requires you to make at least $1,810 in wages, allowing you to accumulate four credits if you earn $7,240 over the year. Your benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, those missing years will count as $0, reducing your benefit.

Not Qualify

While most workers will eventually receive benefits, about 3.3% of Americans aged 60 or older fall into the “never beneficiary” category, meaning they won’t receive Social Security retirement checks. The main groups affected include:

1. Late-arriving immigrants: Many older immigrants haven’t worked long enough in the U.S. to earn the required 40 credits.
2. Infrequent workers: Individuals who took extended time off from work, often to raise children, may not have accumulated sufficient credits.
3. Workers in jobs not covered by Social Security: Some government employees and railroad workers don’t pay Social Security taxes, meaning they won’t receive benefits but may qualify for pensions instead.

Never Beneficiary Groups	Percentage
Late-arriving immigrants	49%
Infrequent workers (e.g., caregivers)	38.9%
Jobs not covered by Social Security	10.8%

Retirement

The earliest you can start claiming Social Security is age 62, but doing so results in a reduced benefit. To receive your full retirement benefit, you must wait until your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which varies between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year. Waiting until age 70 to claim can increase your monthly benefit by up to 24%, a valuable option for those who can afford to delay.

You Don’t Meet the Criteria

If you don’t accumulate the necessary 40 credits, there are still options available:

• Work longer: Consider delaying retirement until you’ve worked enough years to earn the required credits.
• Investigate other benefits: If you’re unable to work due to a disability, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program designed for low-income individuals with disabilities.

For divorced individuals, spousal benefits are another option. If your marriage lasted at least 10 years, and you haven’t remarried, you may be able to claim benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record—without affecting their benefit.

Disability Benefits

Social Security also provides financial support to surviving spouses and dependent children through survivor benefits. Additionally, individuals who become disabled before reaching retirement age may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These provisions ensure that family members are protected even if the primary worker passes away before claiming retirement benefits.

Type of Benefit	Eligibility
Spousal benefits	10-year marriage, no remarriage
SSDI	Disabled workers who cannot work
Survivor benefits	Spouses and children of deceased workers

Special Circumstances

While most U.S. citizens can receive Social Security benefits abroad, certain countries, like Cuba and North Korea, prohibit payments. In some cases, special exceptions may apply, and it’s always best to check using the government’s Payments Abroad Screening Tool to verify eligibility if you plan to live overseas.

Immigrants

If you’re an immigrant and haven’t earned enough credits in the U.S., you may still be eligible for Social Security benefits through totalization agreements with certain countries. These agreements allow you to combine credits earned in the U.S. with prorated benefits from your home country. However, you need at least six U.S. credits to qualify, so working long enough to earn those credits is key.

Steps to Secure

Ensuring that you qualify for Social Security benefits requires planning. Here are some steps to take:

1. Check your eligibility: Regularly review your Social Security Statement to confirm that you’ve earned enough credits and your earnings have been properly recorded.
2. Use the SSA Retirement Estimator: This tool helps you calculate your estimated benefits based on your earnings and age of filing.
3. Consult a financial advisor: If there are gaps in your eligibility, seek guidance on additional savings options or retirement strategies.

Social Security remains a crucial component of retirement planning, but not everyone automatically qualifies. By staying informed, planning ahead, and taking proactive steps, you can ensure that you receive the benefits you’ve earned.

FAQs