No, you cannot buy Social Security credits directly, but you can earn them by working and paying Social Security taxes
Social Security credits are earned through work, not purchased. You get one credit for every $1,730 of wages you earn in 2024 (this amount changes each year). You can earn up to four credits per year, and you need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits — which usually takes about 10 years of work.
The only way to add credits to your record is to work in a job covered by Social Security and have your employer deduct Social Security taxes from your paycheck. Self-employed people pay both the employer and employee portion through self-employment tax. There is no program, no payment method, and no exception that lets you purchase credits outright.
If you are short on credits and cannot work, you may still have options — but they involve understanding what credits you already have and whether you can claim benefits based on someone else's record.
Key Takeaways
- You earn Social Security credits by working in a job covered by Social Security and paying Social Security taxes; the earnings threshold changes yearly and was $1,730 per credit in 2024.
- You need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits, which typically requires about 10 years of covered work.
- If you are close to retirement and short on credits, you may be able to work part-time or delay retirement to earn the remaining credits you need.
- If you cannot work, you might be able to claim spousal or survivor benefits based on someone else's Social Security record instead.
How Social Security credits work and why you cannot buy them
Social Security credits are a measure of work history, not an asset you can transfer or purchase. The Social Security Administration (SSA) created the credit system to track how much you have worked and paid into the system. Each credit represents a certain amount of earnings — $1,730 in 2024 — and you earn credits only when you work in a job where your employer withholds Social Security tax.
The reason you cannot buy credits is that the system is designed to link benefits to actual work. Social Security is an insurance program, not a savings account. Your benefits are based on the assumption that you worked, earned income, and contributed to the system. Allowing people to purchase credits would break that link and would require Congress to change the law — something that has not happened and is not under consideration.
If someone tells you that you can buy credits, pay someone to add credits to your record, or use a service to purchase credits, that is a scam. The SSA does not sell credits, and no private company has the power to add them to your official record.
What to do if you are short on credits before retirement
If you are approaching retirement age and do not yet have 40 credits, your options depend on how many credits you have and how much longer you can work. The most straightforward path is to continue working. Since you can earn up to four credits per year, working just a few more years may get you to 40 credits.
You do not have to work full-time. Part-time work counts as long as you earn enough to reach the credit threshold. In 2024, you need to earn $1,730 to get one credit, so earning $6,920 in a year would give you four credits. Many people work part-time or take on freelance work specifically to reach this threshold.
Another option is to delay claiming retirement benefits. Even if you reach 40 credits at age 62, you can wait until your full retirement age (66 to 67 for most people) or even age 70 to claim. Waiting increases your monthly benefit amount significantly — roughly 8 percent per year you delay. This strategy works well if you are healthy and expect to live into your 80s.
Claiming benefits based on someone else's work record
If you cannot work enough to reach 40 credits, you may still receive benefits based on someone else's Social Security record. This is called spousal benefits or survivor benefits, depending on your situation.
Spousal benefits let you claim based on your current or former spouse's record if they are at least 62 years old (or any age if they are already receiving retirement or disability benefits). You do not need 40 credits of your own to claim spousal benefits, but you must have been married for at least two years. Your benefit amount is typically 32 to 50 percent of what your spouse receives, depending on your age when you claim.
Survivor benefits explore if your spouse, ex-spouse, or parent has died. Widows, widowers, and children under 19 (or up to 23 if in school full-time) can receive benefits based on the deceased person's record, regardless of how many credits you have. You will need to contact the SSA with a death certificate and proof of your relationship.
How to check your current Social Security credits
Before you make any decisions about working longer or claiming benefits, you should know exactly how many credits you have. You can view your official Social Security record through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need to create an account using your email, phone number, and Social Security number.
Once you log in, your account shows your earnings history year by year and the number of credits you have earned. This is the same record the SSA uses to calculate your benefits. If you see an error — missing earnings, a wrong name, or incorrect credits — you can file a correction with the SSA, though you will need to provide documentation like W-2s or tax returns.
If you do not use the internet or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for a statement of your earnings and credits. They will mail it to you, though it may take a few weeks to arrive.
Working after you start receiving benefits
If you have already claimed retirement benefits but are still working, you should know that earning more money does not add credits retroactively. However, if you are still below 40 credits and continue to work, you will earn new credits going forward, and those credits can increase your benefit amount.
The SSA recalculates your benefit each year based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you are working and earning more than you did in earlier years, those new earnings may replace lower-earning years in the calculation, which can raise your monthly benefit. This is different from earning new credits, but it can still help you.
Be aware of the earnings limit if you claim before your full retirement age. In 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year, the SSA will reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit, and you can work as much as you want without affecting your benefits.
Common mistakes and scams to avoid
Scammers sometimes target people who are worried about not having enough credits. They may claim they can "add credits to your record," "boost your Social Security," or "unlock hidden benefits" — all for a fee. These are frauds. The SSA does not authorize anyone outside the agency to modify your record or add credits on your behalf.
Another common mistake is assuming that paying more taxes will give you more credits. Credits are based on earnings, not on the amount of tax withheld. If you earn $1,730 in a year, you get one credit, regardless of how much Social Security tax you pay. If you earn $6,920, you get four credits (the maximum per year), even though you could theoretically earn more money.
Do not pay anyone to help you "get credits faster" or to file paperwork with the SSA. The SSA does not charge for any of its services. If you need help understanding your record or your options, contact the SSA directly or visit a local Social Security office in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I worked for a government employer and did not pay Social Security tax?
Some government jobs, particularly in certain states, do not require Social Security contributions. Those years do not count toward your 40 credits. However, you may still be able to claim spousal or survivor benefits, or you might have enough credits from other jobs to reach 40. Contact the SSA to review your full work history.
Can I get credits for volunteer work or caregiving?
No. Social Security credits are earned only through paid work in a job covered by Social Security. Volunteer work, caring for family members, or raising children does not earn credits, even though this work has real value. The only exception is if you were self-employed and paid self-employment tax on your income from that work.
If I am divorced, can I use my ex-spouse's credits?
You cannot use their credits directly, but you can claim spousal benefits based on their record if you were married for at least 10 years and are at least 62 years old. You do not need to have been married recently — the 10-year rule applies to the total length of the marriage. Your ex does not need to have claimed benefits yet, as long as they are at least 62.
What happens if I reach 40 credits but then stop working?
Once you have 40 credits, you have met the requirement for retirement benefits. You do not lose credits if you stop working. However, your benefit amount is based on your average earnings over your highest 35 years of work, so years with no earnings will lower your average. Working longer with higher earnings can increase your benefit amount, even after you have 40 credits.
Can I buy credits for years I did not work?
No. There is no program, no payment method, and no exception that allows you to purchase credits for years you did not work. The only way to add credits to your record is to work in a covered job and pay Social Security taxes. If you have gaps in your work history, those gaps will remain on your record.