Social Security credits are earned when a person works a job and pays Social Security taxes, which qualifies them for Social Security benefits.
Social Security Credits
What are Social Security credits?
Typically, a certain amount of Social Security credits must be earned by a potential beneficiary before they are eligible to receive benefits. The most common way to earn Social Security credits is to continuously work over multiple years. According to the IRS, workers can earn up to four Social Security credits per year if they meet a certain earnings threshold. Exceptions may be made depending on the individual’s situation.