Social Security credits in 2027: how many you need and how to earn them
You need 40 credits to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. In 2027 you earn one credit for every $1,970 of covered earnings, up to four a year, so $7,880 of earnings in 2027 gets all four.
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings for one credit | $1,890 | $1,970 |
| Earnings for the maximum four credits | $7,560 | $7,880 |
| Credits needed for retirement benefits | 40 | 40 |
How credits work
You earn credits when you work and pay Social Security taxes. Since 1978 you can earn up to four credits a year, based on your total wages and self-employment income for the year. You might work all year to earn four, or earn enough for all four in a few months.
The number of credits does not change how much you get. Social Security says extra credits beyond the minimum do not increase your benefit; the average of your earnings over your working years does. The benefit formula page shows how that average turns into a monthly amount.
Credits for disability benefits
Disability has two tests, a recent work test and a duration test. For the recent work test, Social Security's general rules are:
- Before age 24: six credits in the three years ending when the disability starts.
- Age 24 to 31: in general, credit for working half the time between 21 and the start of the disability.
- Age 31 or older: generally at least 20 credits in the 10 years just before the disability began.
For the duration test, Social Security's estimate of the years of work generally needed:
| Disability begins at | Years of work generally needed |
|---|---|
| Before age 28 | 1.5 years |
| Age 30 | 2 years |
| Age 34 | 3 years |
| Age 38 | 4 years |
| Age 42 | 5 years |
| Age 46 | 6 years |
| Age 50 | 7 years |
| Age 54 | 8 years |
| Age 58 | 9 years |
| Age 60 | 9.5 years |
Credits for survivors benefits
The credits needed for your family to get survivors benefits depend on your age when you die; the younger you are, the fewer are needed, and nobody needs more than 40. Under a special rule, your children and a spouse caring for them can get benefits if you have six credits in the three years before your death.
Medicare
Social Security also uses credits to decide eligibility for Medicare. CMS says about 99% of people with Medicare pay no Part A premium because they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered work; see Part A costs for what people without enough work pay.
Check our work
Every figure on this page was read from these official documents. Follow the links and compare.
- 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact SheetSocial Security Administration. Read on November 12, 2026.
- Social Security Credits and Benefit EligibilitySocial Security Administration. Read on November 12, 2026.
- 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and DeductiblesCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read on November 12, 2026.