Credits

• A worker earns Social Security credits when he works at a job and pays Social Security taxes. He receives credits based on how much he earns at his job. The credits determine eligibility for disability, retirement and survivor benefits.
  
  

Amounts

• As of September 2010, a worker receives one credit for each $1,120 of earned wages. He can earn up to four credits a year. Each year, the amount of earnings necessary per credit increases slightly.
  
  

Number of Credits

• The number of credits required depends on the worker's age when he becomes disabled. A worker disabled before the age of 24 needs 1½ years of employment and six credits to receive benefits. From age 24 to 31, a worker qualifies for credits for working half the time from the age of 21 until he is disabled. After the age of 31, a worker needs at least 20 credits and 10 years in the workforce immediately before becoming disabled. The number of required credits and years in the workforce increases with age. The maximum number of credits is 40 at age 62.