Social Security is more than a number. It is a federal program that pays retirement, disability and family benefits to people who have paid Social Security tax while working.
FICA tax on your paycheck includes Social Security tax and Medicare tax. Your employer pays a matching amount.
Self-employed people pay both parts through self-employment tax.
Many F-1, J-1 and M-1 students and scholars who are nonresidents for tax are exempt from FICA on allowed work. They then do not earn credits for that work. See Your paycheck: gross, net, W-4 and FICA.
You earn up to 4 credits per year.
In 2026, you earn 1 credit for each $1,890 of covered earnings, so $7,560 earns all 4. The amount changes each year.
Most people need 40 credits (about 10 years of work) for retirement benefits.
Disability and survivor benefits can need fewer credits, depending on your age.
Credits stay on your record. If you leave the US and come back, they are still there.
Full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later.
You can start as early as 62 with a permanently smaller payment, or wait until 70 for a larger one.
The amount depends on your highest 35 years of earnings.
Medicare (health insurance for people 65 and older) Part A is usually free if you or your spouse have 40 credits.
If you also worked in another country
The US has totalization agreements with a number of countries. They can:
Count your work in both countries together to qualify for benefits.
Stop you from paying social taxes to both countries for the same work.
Check the list at ssa.gov/international.
Benefits and non-citizens
Lawfully working non-citizens earn credits like citizens.
Whether benefits are paid to someone living abroad depends on citizenship and the country. Rules are on ssa.gov.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is different: it is a need-based program with strict rules for non-citizens. See Public benefits and the public charge rule (2026).
Open ssa.gov/myaccount and create a my Social Security account (you sign in with Login.gov or ID.me).
Look at your earnings record every year. Missing years mean missing credits.
Report mistakes with your W-2 forms as proof.
Working with a misspelled name on your W-2, so earnings do not match your record.
Thinking a refund of FICA taxes is automatic if you were exempt. Ask your employer first, then the IRS.
Believing calls that say your SSN is "suspended". That is a scam.