Can I receive Social Security benefits without a work history?
For most people, Social Security retirement benefits are based on credits earned by working and paying Social Security taxes. You typically need 40 credits, or 10 years of work, to qualify. However, the program also provides benefits to family members of eligible workers, creating several potential paths to collect benefits without a personal work record. Your eligibility depends largely on your relationship to a worker and your financial situation.
Spousal benefits for current or divorced partners
A common way to collect benefits without a work record is as a dependent spouse. If you are married to someone entitled to Social Security retirement benefits, you can receive up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement amount. This applies even if you have your own work history, provided your spousal benefit is higher. To qualify for spousal benefits, you must be at least 62 years old, or caring for a child who is under 16 or has a disability.
Divorced individuals can also be eligible, assuming the marriage lasted at least 10 years. A divorced spouse must be unmarried, at least 62, and their own benefit must be less than what they would receive based on their ex-spouse's work record. Your ex-spouse does not need to have already filed for benefits, but they must be at least 62. Importantly, your claim does not affect your ex-spouse's benefit amount or that of their new partner.
Survivor benefits for widows and widowers
If your spouse or ex-spouse passes away, you may be entitled to survivor benefits. A surviving spouse can receive up to 100% of the deceased worker's basic benefit amount if they wait until their own full retirement age. A reduced benefit can be claimed as early as age 60, or as early as 50 if disabled. You may also be eligible at any age if you are caring for the deceased's child who is under age 16 or has a disability.
Survivor benefits for divorced spouses:
- Your marriage must have lasted at least 10 years.
- Your remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if disabled) does not prevent you from receiving benefits.
- If you are already receiving Social Security on your own record, you may receive a combination of benefits that equals the higher survivor amount.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for disabled or low-income individuals
Unlike the standard Social Security benefits (SSDI), which require a work history, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program funded by general tax revenues. It provides financial assistance to those who are aged (65 or older), blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources.
To qualify for SSI, you must:
- Meet the SSA's strict definition of disability (or be over 65 or blind).
- Have limited income, which includes earned and unearned income.
- Have limited resources, such as cash, bank accounts, and other assets. For 2025, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits
If you became disabled before the age of 22, you may be eligible for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits on a parent's Social Security earnings record. This is considered a "child's" benefit, and you do not need to have a work history to qualify. Your eligibility is based on a parent receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, or a parent who is deceased. Your eligibility may be affected if you get married.
Benefits for non-working vs. self-employed individuals
Navigating Social Security without a traditional work history can be complex, and it is important to distinguish between having no work history and being self-employed. Self-employed individuals pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, so they are contributing to their own retirement and disability benefits and don't need to rely on the benefit programs outlined below. The following comparison table highlights key differences in claiming benefits for a non-working individual versus a self-employed person with an earnings record.
| Feature | Non-Working Individual | Self-Employed Individual |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit Basis | Based on a spouse's, ex-spouse's, or parent's earnings record. Could also be needs-based (SSI). | Based on their own earnings record and the self-employment taxes they have paid. |
| Benefit Amount | Up to 50% of spouse's/ex-spouse's full retirement benefit; 100% as a survivor (at full retirement age); or a needs-based SSI payment. | Calculated based on average indexed monthly earnings over their working years. |
| Eligibility Requirement | Must be married, divorced, widowed, or have a qualifying disability or low income. | Must have earned 40 Social Security credits (10 years of work). |
| Timing to Claim | Can start as early as age 60 (survivor) or 62 (spousal). SSI can start at any time if conditions are met. | Can start as early as 62, but maximum benefit is at full retirement age or age 70. |
Conclusion: Your pathway to benefits without a work history
Even if you never worked, you can still access vital Social Security benefits through several programs designed to provide financial security. The most common pathways are spousal, divorced-spouse, and survivor benefits, which leverage the earnings record of a partner. Additionally, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program offers a critical safety net for those with limited income and resources due to age, disability, or blindness. For individuals with disabilities that began in childhood, the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit provides another option. To determine your eligibility and maximize your potential benefits, it's essential to understand the specific requirements for each program. It's recommended to contact the Social Security Administration directly or use their online resources to explore your best options and begin the application process.
For additional information and to start an application, visit the Social Security Administration's website at https://www.ssa.gov/.
