The credits are earned through your income by paying Social Security taxes. The Social Security Administration does limit the amount you’re able to earn per year, though. Since 1978, the ...

But to qualify for Social Security based on your own earnings record, you'll need to accumulate 40 lifetime work credits at a ...

Full retirement age varies by birth year and ... you can claim Social Security without reducing your benefits. It also impacts the amount of delayed retirement credits you can earn in order ...

For each full year you delay receiving Social Security benefits beyond full retirement age, 8% is added to your benefit. In 2025, you have to earn more to qualify for Social Security credits.