Can the ‘Never Employed’ Still Collect Social Security?

Social Security retirement benefits must be earned. According to an article in Nasdaq.com, if you accrued 40 credits over the course of your career, then you are entitled to receive retirement benefits. That’s roughly the equivalent of working at least part-time for 10 years. But what many people might not realize is that you can receive Social Security even if you never had a paying job, such as being a caregiver.

You may be entitled to spousal benefits if you are married to someone eligible for Social Security or you were married to someone for at least 10 years but are now divorced. Those benefits can be as much as half of what your spouse or ex receives.

You may be entitled to survivors benefits if your spouse has passed away. In some cases, the widow or widower could receive the full benefit the spouse received.   

The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the lives of older Americans through the passage of The Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $200 a month, a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and increased minimum benefits.