You pay into Social Security your entire career.
You watch 6.2% of your earnings come out of your paycheck before it even makes its way to your bank account, so you expect to get a decent chunk of that back in retirement, but that’s not always the case
Those with short work histories may not qualify for Social Security or may receive only a small benefit. Here’s a closer look at how this could affect you. You need at least 10 years of work history to qualify for retirement benefits You must earn 40 work credits to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.
A credit is defined as $1,890 in earnings in 2026, and you can earn a maximum of four credits per year. The definition of a credit changes annually, but it remains low enough that even many part-time workers should be able to earn their credits. If you have not earned your 40 credits, you will not be able to claim a retirement benefit.