It's Getting Harder to Qualify for Social Security in Retirement. Here's Why

Social Security is an income source millions of retirees depend upon. Without those benefits, many seniors wouldn't have a way to pay their basic expenses like housing, transportation, healthcare, and food.

But it's not a given that you'll qualify for Social Security in retirement. You might assume that once you reach a certain age, you'll be eligible to sign up for benefits. But to get Social Security as a retiree, you generally have to earn those benefits by working and paying into the system.

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Remember, Social Security is primarily funded by payroll taxes. The whole reason benefit cuts are on the table is that the labor force is expected to shrink in the coming years as baby boomers retire in droves. So if you want to qualify for Social Security later in life, you generally need to contribute to the program in some shape or form (though there are exceptions).

The rules of qualifying for Social Security are changing in 2026, though. And it's important to understand what that means for you, particularly if you only work part-time.

There's a big change coming to Social Security work credits

In late October, the Social Security Administration announced a number of key changes to the program. Those included a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, a higher earnings-test limit, and a larger wage cap.

Another change that was announced was a higher threshold for earning work credits. Work credits are what enable you to collect Social Security once your career comes to an end.

Social Security requires workers to accumulate a total of 40 work credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. And the maximum number of credits you can accrue in a single year is four. This means that to get Social Security, you effectively need to work in some shape or form for at least 10 years.

In 2025, one Social Security work credit is worth $1,810 of earnings. In 2026, however, the value of a single work credit is rising to $1,890. This means that if you want your four work credits in 2026, you need to earn a minimum of $7,560.

If you work full-time, this change likely will not impact you. However, if you work on a part-time basis, it's a chance you should be aware of.

You should also know that the value of Social Security work credits can change from year to year. If you work part-time, make sure to keep tabs on how the value of a work credit evolves.

You can qualify for Social Security without work credits

For the most part, earning the right number of work credits is how you qualify for Social Security as a retiree. But that's not your only path.

You may be eligible for Social Security in retirement if your spouse or ex-spouse qualifies for benefits. Social Security spousal benefits max out at 50% of what your spouse or former spouse is entitled to at their full retirement age.

You may also be eligible for survivor benefits from Social Security if you have a spouse or former spouse who passes away. Minor children can also be eligible for survivor benefits.

Chances are, if you don't earn enough money to be eligible for four work credits a year, it may be that you have another person's income to cover your expense, like a spouse. And in that case, your spouse may easily qualify for Social Security based on their earnings history, leaving you eligible for spousal benefits.

But it's important to understand the rules regardless of your situation. Plus, you never know how the rules might change, so keeping up to date on Social Security is really your best move.

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