Who is eligible to collect Social Security benefits?

Confused about Social Security benefits eligibility? You came to the right place to help clarify your confusion. We’ll take a look at why most of the eligibility requirements truly vary from person to person, as well as some clear cut specifics that you will need to know about. This information is great if you are trying to determine your eligibility for these benefits, or help a friend or loved one do the same.

Most of the specific requirements for eligibility to receive Social Security benefits greatly vary based on the type of benefits you are looking into, the age of the person that is seeking these benefits, and if you are attempting to claim benefits as a dependant or a survivor. If you are looking to claim as a dependant or survivor, then another factor to help determine eligibility is the age of the worker that you are claiming off of.

The general requirement that holds true for all Social Security programs (not including the Supplemental Security Income or SSI) is that the person who worked to earn the Social Security benefits and whose earnings are being claimed upon must have worked in what is known as “covered employment” for a sufficient number of years to be eligible. This means they earned enough of what is known in the Social Security system as “work credits.” In the most common situations, this is referring to at least ten years of eligible work.

To start claiming your Social Security retirement benefits you must be between the ages of 62 and 70.

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October 9, 2008 | Filed Under Social Security Benefits 

Comments

One Response to “Who is eligible to collect Social Security benefits?”

  1. miriam r martinez on February 11th, 2009 8:50 am

    since 2005 I get unemployment benefit I can not find any job maybe I can aply for the extension for another 6 months of benefit.

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