Eligibility for Social Security Retirement Benefits
To qualify for your own Social Security retirement benefits, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years. This work history earns you 40 “credits” over your career. In 2025, for example, you earn one credit for every $1,810 in earnings, with a maximum of four credits per year. A person who has never worked has no credits and, therefore, is ineligible for their own retirement benefits.
Spousal and Survivor Benefits
For a non-working individual to collect Social Security benefits based on another person's record, they must meet specific criteria as a spouse, divorced spouse, or survivor. These benefits are a crucial part of the Social Security program, designed to provide for those who spent time out of the workforce.
For Spouses A non-working spouse who is at least 62 can claim up to 50% of their working spouse's full retirement benefit. To qualify:
- The working spouse must be receiving their own Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
- The non-working spouse must have been married to the worker for at least one year.
- Claiming spousal benefits at age 62 will result in a permanent reduction in the monthly payout, as the full spousal benefit is not available until your own full retirement age (FRA).
For Divorced Spouses Even after a divorce, a non-working individual may be eligible for benefits on an ex-spouse's record. The rules for divorced spouses are slightly different:
- The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years.
- The divorced individual must be unmarried.
- Both the divorced spouse and the ex-spouse must be at least 62. However, if the ex-spouse is not yet receiving benefits, the divorced spouse can still collect if they have been divorced for at least two years.
- The benefit received by the divorced spouse will not affect the amount paid to the ex-spouse or their current spouse.
For Survivors A surviving spouse can receive benefits based on their deceased spouse's earnings record.
- A widow or widower can apply for survivor benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if they are disabled.
- If the surviving spouse has reached their full retirement age, they can collect 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit.
- Remarriage after age 60 (or 50 if disabled) will not prevent eligibility for survivor benefits.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
For individuals with very limited income and resources who are not eligible for Social Security based on a work record, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program can provide financial assistance. Unlike Social Security retirement or disability benefits (SSDI), SSI does not require a work history.
Who qualifies for SSI? SSI is a needs-based program for individuals who are:
- Age 65 or older.
- Blind or disabled.
- Meet specific low-income and resource limits. For individuals, resources generally cannot exceed $2,000, excluding certain exemptions.
The Impact of Claiming Early vs. Waiting
For non-working spouses, the decision of when to claim benefits can significantly impact the monthly payment. Claiming at age 62 results in a permanently reduced benefit, while waiting until full retirement age ensures the maximum spousal amount, which is 50% of the working spouse's full benefit.
| Claiming at Age 62 | Claiming at Full Retirement Age (FRA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Benefit | Permanently reduced from the maximum spousal amount | 50% of the working spouse's full retirement benefit |
| Benefit Amount | For a person whose FRA is 67, claiming at 62 can result in a benefit of only 32.5% of the worker's full retirement benefit. | 50% of the worker's full retirement benefit. |
| Overall Payout | A longer period of receiving reduced payments | A shorter period of receiving higher payments |
Conclusion
While a person who has never worked cannot receive Social Security retirement benefits at 62 based on their own earnings record, they are not without options. Eligibility for spousal benefits at 62 is possible, but it comes with a permanently reduced monthly payout. For those who are not eligible for spousal or survivor benefits and have limited resources, the needs-based Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program may be an option. Understanding the different types of benefits and eligibility rules is crucial for anyone planning for retirement without a substantial work history.
For more detailed information, the official Social Security Administration website offers valuable resources on spousal and survivor benefits: SSA Family Benefits.
