Did you know that 2.6 million Americans ages 60 and up will never get Social Security? You’re not the only one who plans to depend on Social Security to help pay for your retirement.

Over 77 million people in the US are currently or will be recipients, and many count on this important help in their golden years. But not everyone can count on getting a Social Security check every month.

Social Security statistics unveiled

$196 COLA increase in maximum amounts for those who file for Social Security in 2025 and meet all the requirements

The Social Security Administration (SSA) says that 3.3% of Americans aged 60 and up are “never beneficiaries,” which means they do not receive SSA retirement payments. Based on this number, you might be wondering if you need to worry about your own status.

In order to get Social Security payments, you must meet certain requirements:

• You must have worked and contributed to SSA taxes for a minimum of 10 years.
• During this period, you need to earn a total of 40 credits (up to 4 per year).

To make sure that your benefits are safe, you need to know these standards. Staying informed and taking action are two things you can do to make sure you’re covered when it means the most.

Increase in Average Social Security Checks – Everything Changes for 2025

Make sure you’re on track to get SSA benefits by:

1. Regularly review your Social Security Statement to verify your earnings and credits.
2. Consult with a financial advisor to plan for any potential gaps in your eligibility.
3. Consider additional savings options to supplement your retirement income if needed.

Starting in 2025, you’ll need to make at least $1,810 per credit in order to earn SSA credits. You can earn up to four credits per year.

Your future Social Security income is based on the most money you made in your 35 best years. Any years you didn’t work will be counted as zero, which will change how much you get in benefits.

Understanding the “Never Beneficiary” Status

Rare Bicentennial Quarter Worth Nearly $90 Million

If you haven’t received enough credits while working to be eligible for Social Security benefits, you will become a “never beneficiary.” This situation can be tough, especially for these groups:

Who Might Become a Never Beneficiary?

• Late-Arriving Immigrants: Nearly half of the never beneficiaries, about 49%, are older immigrants who have not acquired sufficient credits to qualify.
• Infrequent Workers: Individuals who have taken time off work, perhaps to raise children, represent 38.9% of this group. These individuals often struggle to accumulate the necessary credits.
• Jobs Not Covered by Social Security: If your employment is in a field not covered by Social Security, you fall into the category of 10.8% of never beneficiaries, which means you won’t receive any benefits.

There are some things that make it hard for state and local government workers to get Social Security. Even though these workers don’t pay into Social Security, that isn’t always a bad thing. When they retire, they often get a pension from their job instead of Social Security retirement benefits.

In the same way, people who work for railroads don’t get Social Security payments. Instead, if they have worked for more than 10 years, the Railroad Retirement Board will pay for their retirement.

Understanding Eligibility and Timing

A very small number of beneficiaries—about 1.3%—die before they can get any Social Security payments. It is important to remember that you cannot start getting Social Security until you are 62 years old.

But you have to wait until your full retirement age, which depends on your birth year and is between 66 and 67, to get the full benefit amount.

What Happens If You Pass Away Before Claiming?

People who pass away before they turn 62 will not be able to get their Social Security payments. On the other hand, there are ways to help families. These are some important points:

• Individuals with terminal illnesses may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
• Survivors’ benefits may be available for spouses and dependent children, providing financial support in difficult times.

A lot of people are shocked to learn that some groups will not get their SSA payments. These include U.S. citizens who live in certain foreign countries.

There are some situations where you might not be able to get your SSA check while living abroad. Unfortunately, you might not be able to apply if you live in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.

Still, there are some loopholes for some of these countries, but not for Cuba or North Korea. The government’s Payments Abroad Screening Tool can help you figure out if you are eligible.

Securing Your Social Security Benefit

Wondering how to ensure you receive your benefit? Here are a few strategies you might consider:

• If you haven’t accumulated the required 40 credits, think about delaying retirement until you have enough to qualify.
• If you’re unable to work due to a disability, explore other benefits, like SSI, that might be available to you.

Divorced Individuals and Social Security Benefits

If you’re split and can’t get your own retirement benefit, you might still be able to get spousal benefits. For you to be qualified, you must have been married for at least 10 years and not be married to anyone else.

You don’t have to tell your ex that you’re applying for spousal benefits; it won’t change their benefits in any way.

Eligibility for Immigrants

If you come from one of the 30 countries that has a totalization deal with the U.S., there is still hope for immigrants who don’t have enough U.S. credits. You can mix your U.S. credits with benefits from your home country that are based on how much time you have lived there.

Still, you need to have gained at least six credits in the U.S. If you haven’t hit this level yet, you might want to work longer to get those credits.

Ensuring Your Social Security Eligibility

What can you do to make sure you get your Social Security payments if you’re not sure if you’re eligible? This could be because you don’t work very often or because you just moved to the United States.

Steps to Secure Your Benefits

• Check Your Eligibility: Begin by visiting the SSA website to verify your eligibility.
• Use the SSA Retirement Estimator: This tool is invaluable for planning your retirement and calculating potential payments.