How Does the Social Security 5 Year Rule Work? A Guide to its Multiple Meanings

Oct 18, 2025 4 min read •

Retirement Social Security Disability Benefits

The phrase "the Social Security 5-year rule" actually refers to several distinct provisions within the Social Security system. For example, a key eligibility requirement for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is having worked and paid taxes for at least 5 of the last 10 years before the disability onset.

Quick Summary

Several different regulations are colloquially known as the Social Security 5-year rule, most commonly relating to disability eligibility and reinstatement. An updated rule also reviews only the past five years of work history for disability claims, and a residency requirement applies to some non-citizen beneficiaries.

Key Points

Multiple Rules, Not One: The "5-year rule" refers to different concepts, primarily related to disability eligibility, expedited benefit reinstatement, and work history review.
SSDI Work Credits: A common rule requires many SSDI applicants over 31 to have 20 work credits earned within the last 10 years (roughly 5 years of work) before their disability began.
Expedited Reinstatement: This rule gives former SSDI or SSI beneficiaries a 60-month window to request the reinstatement of their benefits if they stop working again due to their disability.
Past Relevant Work Review: As of June 2024, the SSA reviews only the last 5 years of a disability applicant's work history, down from 15 years, to see if they can still perform a past job.
Non-Citizen Medicare: A five-year continuous residency requirement exists for some non-citizens who want to enroll in Medicare Part B if they aren't eligible for premium-free Part A.
Importance of Context: The specific 5-year rule that applies depends entirely on the type of benefit being discussed, so context is critical to avoid confusion.

The SSDI '5 out of 10 Years' Work Test

For many applicants over age 31 seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the "5-year rule" refers to the requirement that they must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 5 of the last 10 years, which amounts to 20 work credits over the last 40 quarters. The purpose of this rule is to ensure applicants have a recent work history to be considered "insured" for disability benefits.

Work Credits: The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a credit system to measure your work history. You can earn up to four credits per year. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 you make in covered employment.
Age and Credits: The number of work credits needed varies by age. For instance, younger workers under 24 need fewer credits to qualify, while those between 24 and 31 have a different calculation. The 5-out-of-10-year rule is a general guideline for many applicants over 31.
Insured Status: Meeting this test establishes your "insured status" with Social Security. Your date last insured (DLI) is typically five years after you stop working. Your disability must have begun before this DLI expires to be eligible for benefits based on your work history.

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) within 5 Years

A different "5-year rule" applies to Expedited Reinstatement (EXR), a provision allowing former SSDI beneficiaries to quickly restart their benefits. This is for individuals whose benefits stopped because they returned to work and earned over the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit.

The 60-Month Window: If your medical condition prevents you from working again, you have a 60-month (5-year) period from the month your benefits ended to request reinstatement.
Provisional Benefits: If you are approved for EXR, you may receive temporary cash payments and Medicare/Medicaid for up to six months while the SSA reviews your request.
Same Condition: The disability must be the same as or related to the one for which you previously received benefits.

Updated 'Past Relevant Work' (PRW) Review

In a change that took effect in June 2024, the SSA updated its disability evaluation process. Previously, the agency would consider an applicant's work history for up to 15 years to determine if they could still perform a past job. The new rule reduces this lookback period to just the last five years.

Simplified Process: This change simplifies the application for many, as they no longer need to provide details for older jobs that may be less relevant or for which skills may have deteriorated.
Step 4 Evaluation: The PRW review is part of the five-step disability determination process. At step four, the SSA evaluates if the applicant can do their previous work. This new five-year rule makes that review more realistic.

Medicare 5-Year Residency for Non-Citizens

For non-citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence, there is a five-year residency requirement to be eligible for voluntary enrollment in Medicare Part B if they do not qualify for premium-free Part A. This is separate from the work-based credit system for other Social Security benefits.

Requirement: An individual must have been a U.S. resident for five continuous years before applying for Medicare Part B.
Voluntary Program: Part B is a voluntary program with monthly premiums. If not enrolled during the initial eligibility period, a late enrollment penalty may apply for as long as Part B is maintained.

Comparison of the Different 5-Year Rules


Rule Type	Benefit	Purpose	Eligibility	Notes
Recent Work Test	SSDI	Ensures recent work history and contributions to the system.	Generally worked 5 of last 10 years (20 credits) for those over 31.	Varies by age; different requirements for younger workers.
Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)	SSDI/SSI	Allows for re-starting benefits quickly after attempting to return to work.	Request within 5 years (60 months) of previous benefits ending due to work.	Provisional benefits available during review; must have same or related disability.
Past Relevant Work (PRW)	SSDI/SSI	Determines if an applicant can perform a past job.	SSA reviews only the last 5 years of work history.	Simplified process, reduced from 15-year lookback period.
Medicare Residency	Medicare Part B	Sets a residency requirement for certain non-citizens.	Lawful permanent resident for 5 continuous years before applying.	Does not apply to those eligible for premium-free Part A.

Conclusion

The "Social Security 5-year rule" is not a singular policy but a broad term encompassing several distinct provisions. For SSDI applicants, the most common interpretation involves working 5 of the last 10 years to qualify, though rules vary by age. Other applications include the 60-month window for expedited reinstatement and the recently updated five-year review period for past relevant work during a disability claim. Finally, a separate rule addresses a five-year residency requirement for some non-citizen Medicare applicants. Understanding which rule applies to your situation is crucial for navigating the application process effectively. For the most accurate information, it is always recommended to consult the official Social Security Administration website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common reference is to the eligibility requirement for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). For most applicants over age 31, it means they must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 5 of the last 10 years before becoming disabled.

No, the term is not universal. It applies differently across programs, including work history for SSDI, expedited reinstatement for former beneficiaries, and a residency requirement for non-citizen Medicare enrollees.

The EXR 5-year rule allows you to request the reinstatement of your SSDI benefits within 60 months of when they were stopped due to work. This provides a safety net if your disability returns or worsens and prevents you from continuing to work.

Effective June 2024, the SSA changed its policy to only consider the last five years of a disability applicant's work history when evaluating if they can perform a previous job. This is a change from the previous 15-year lookback period.

It is more complicated, but potentially yes. You would need to prove that your disability began before your date last insured (DLI) expired, which is typically five years after you stop working. This often requires providing medical records and other evidence from that time.

Yes, but it primarily affects some non-citizens. A non-citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence must have resided in the U.S. for five continuous years to be eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B if they are not eligible for premium-free Part A.

No, there are exceptions for younger workers. The number of work credits needed to qualify for SSDI is lower for those under 31, with requirements varying based on age.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.