From 2026, the rules to get work credits for Social Security will change. These credits are very important because they determine if you could receive benefits such as retirement payments or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Many people, mostly those who are part-time workers and people who are self-employed, must pay attention to these changes to make sure they are eligible for future benefits. So, let’s get started and see what these changes are.
Work credits
This is a way in which the Social Security Administration measures your work history. It shows how many years you have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Mainly, you need these credits for:
- Qualifying for retirement benefits.
- Qualifying for disability benefits.
Most people need 40 work credits to access these benefits, which normally takes about 10 years of working because the SSA allows you to obtain up to 4 credits per year (no matter how much you earn).
I n case you don’t get enough credits, you might not receive the benefits you expect when you retire or if you end up having a disability. This is why it’s crucial to understand these rules.
Earning for one work credit in 2026
The amount of money you must earn per work credit is the main change for 2026, so let’s have a look: In 2026, you need to earn $1,890 to receive one work credit, which is $80 more than the 2025 requirement ($1,810 per credit). Since you can only obtain 4 credits per year, you must earn at least $7,560 in 2026 to reach the maximum annual credits.
This income must come from money that is taxed by Social Security, such as wages from your job or income from self-employment that counts toward FICA or SECA taxes.
For many workers—especially Latino workers, part-time workers, and those who work for themselves—this increase means they may need to make sure they earn slightly more or report their income correctly so they do not miss out on credits.
Importance of this Social Security change
Social Security changes affect people in different ways, such as:
- Self-employed workers must plan carefully: these workers have to make sure they earn enough money that is reported to the Social Security. If it’s not properly reported or they don’t pay the right taxes, they could lose credits.
- Part-time workers may need more hours: those working a few hours or earning a little money may need to work more or make sure their income is the minimum required.
- Workers with breaks in employment may take longer to get 40 credits: If you stop working for a while, these new requirements can make it slightly harder to catch up.
- New workers must pay attention: those who have just started working must pay attention to how much they earn each year to reach the maximum limit of 4 credits per year.
All of these changes make it essential to verify and control reported income to the SSA.
How to keep up to date with your work credits
To avoid having any issues (nobody wants that), the SSA recommends the following things:
- Logging into your My Social Security account
- Checking that your income is reported correctly
- Making sure your employer sends correct earnings information
- Reviewing your yearly work credit total
If you notice any mistake, it’s important that you contact the SSA or check your worker’s reports. This way, you can avoid losing credits and guarantee your future benefits.
So…
By staying informed and checking your credits regularly, you can protect your future benefits and make sure you are fully prepared for the years ahead. We hope this article was helpful!