Social Security is the financial backbone for millions of Americans. Over 67 million people currently rely on these benefits. While most workers expect to receive Social Security when they retire, not everyone qualifies.
Some people are not eligible for the system entirely due to insufficient work history, citizenship status, or certain job exemptions.
Here is a breakdown of the people who might miss out on benefits, and if you’re one of them, what you should do about it.
Not Enough Credits
To qualify for Social Security, you need to earn 40 Social Security credits, which translates to about 10 years of employment. In today’s age, you earn one credit for every $1,810 in wages, up to a maximum of four credits per year.
If you’ve worked part-time, taken extended career breaks, or spent years in unpaid labor, you might not have enough credits to qualify. The best way to keep track is to log in to your Social Security Administration (SSA) account and check your work history regularly.
Non-Citizens Without Legal Residency
Non-citizens can receive Social Security benefits if they meet the 40 Social Security credits and residency requirements. However, undocumented immigrants and certain non-residents are ineligible.
Unauthorized workers also contribute to Social Security, although they can’t claim benefits. In 2022 alone, unauthorized immigrants contributed $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes, often using borrowed or fraudulent Social Security numbers. Despite this, they remain ineligible for benefits.
Certain Government Employees
Not all government jobs pay into Social Security. Many state and local government employees have their pension systems instead. However, a recent 2025 repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) means that thousands of public workers now qualify for benefits.
You will not be able to claim benefits if your retirement plan still doesn’t include Social Security. Check with your employer to confirm your coverage.
Employees of the Railroad Industry
Railroad workers don’t pay into Social Security. Instead, they have a separate system under the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). In 2023, the RRB paid around $14 billion in retirement and survivor benefits to about 493,000 recipients.
If you’ve worked in both the railroad and private sectors, you may receive combined benefits.
Self-Employed Individuals Who Didn’t Pay Taxes
Being your own boss has its perks, until it’s time to handle taxes on your own. If you’re self-employed, you’re responsible for paying Social Security and Medicare taxes yourself. However, if you underreport income or skip payments, you risk losing work credits and your eligibility for benefits.
The IRS cracked down on high-income individuals who hadn’t filed their taxes. They investigated 125,000 cases, focusing on millionaires and other high earners. These individuals had a combined financial activity of over $100 billion and failed to submit tax returns.
Certain Divorced Spouses
If your marriage lasted for at least 10 years, you could qualify for spousal benefits, even if your ex was the one who earned the Social Security credits. Although, that will not be the case if your marriage ended before that 10-year mark.
Also, if you remarry before age 60, you generally can’t claim your ex-spouse’s benefits. It’s one of those rules that can catch people off guard, so it’s worth planning.
Certain Agricultural and Domestic Workers
Farm workers, housekeepers, and other domestic workers often get paid in cash, and that’s a big problem if those wages aren’t reported. Social Security benefits depend on documented earnings, and if your employer didn’t withhold payroll taxes, you may not have enough work credits.
An estimated 2.2 million domestic workers are employed in private homes. If you work in these industries, ensure your income is properly reported so you don’t lose out.
Full-Time Students Over 18
If you’re below 18 years of age and are dependent on your parents, you might receive Social Security benefits based on a parent’s earnings. Once you are 18, those benefits typically stop, unless you have a disability.
Today, only 1.1 million students qualify for Social Security through a deceased or disabled parent. If you’re headed to college, don’t count on Social Security to help with tuition.
Death Before Collecting Benefits
If someone passes away before age 62, they won’t receive retirement benefits from Social Security. However, that doesn’t mean the benefits are lost entirely. Surviving spouses, children, or other dependents may be eligible for survivor benefits, provided the deceased had earned enough work credits.
In 2024, around 5.78 million people were receiving survivor benefits. It’s important to ensure your earnings are correctly documented so your family can qualify if needed.
Individuals with Discrepancies in Recordkeeping
Social Security isn’t perfect; mistakes happen. In early 2025, 9.5 million records were flagged for discrepancies, including inactive Social Security numbers linked to people supposedly over 120 years old.
Even small errors, like a misspelled name or wrong birthdate, can cause benefit delays. Double-check your records now so you won’t have to scramble later.
