2.6 Million Seniors May Not Receive Social Security Benefits: Know Reason & How to Secure Them

Did you know that in the U.S., approximately 2.6 million people aged 60 or older will never receive Social Security benefits?

For many, Social Security is a critical part of their retirement plan, but certain conditions can prevent eligibility, leaving some without this financial safety net.

With over 77 million current and future beneficiaries, it’s vital to understand why some individuals miss out and what you can do to ensure you receive your benefits.

Understanding Social Security Eligibility

To qualify for Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires individuals to meet specific criteria:

1. Work and Tax Contributions: You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a minimum of 10 years.
2. Earning Credits: During your working years, you need to earn a total of 40 credits (up to four per year). For 2025, earning a credit requires a minimum income of $1,810, allowing you to accumulate up to four credits annually.

These credits and contributions determine whether you qualify for benefits and how much you will receive. Regularly reviewing your Social Security Statement can help you track your earnings and credits, ensuring you’re on the right path to receiving your retirement income.

Who Are the “Never Beneficiaries”?

The term “never beneficiaries” refers to individuals who have not met the required criteria to receive Social Security benefits.

According to SSA data, 3.3% of Americans aged 60 or older fall into this category. Understanding why some people never qualify can help others avoid a similar fate.

Groups Most Likely to Miss Out on Social Security:

1. Late-Arriving Immigrants: Almost half of the “never beneficiaries” (49%) are older immigrants who haven’t accrued enough credits. Those who moved to the U.S. later in life may not have had sufficient time to earn the required 40 credits.
2. Infrequent Workers: Individuals who took long breaks from the workforce, often to raise children or care for family members, represent 38.9% of this group. These career gaps can lead to a shortfall in earning credits.
3. Jobs Not Covered by Social Security: About 10.8% of “never beneficiaries” worked in fields exempt from Social Security, such as some state and local government roles. These workers often have separate pension plans or coverage, like the Railroad Retirement Board.

Government Employees and Pension Plans

Some state and local government employees do not pay into Social Security, instead relying on pensions. While this setup may seem like a disadvantage, it’s not necessarily so. They often receive pension benefits that replace Social Security.

Similarly, railroad workers are covered by the Railroad Retirement Board, which provides retirement benefits separate from Social Security.

Why Timing Matters: Understanding When to Claim Benefits

To begin claiming Social Security, you need to reach age 62. However, your benefits increase the longer you delay filing, up to age 70.

Claiming before Full Retirement Age (FRA), which ranges between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year, will result in reduced monthly payments. On the other hand, waiting until your FRA or later can maximize your benefits.

What If You Pass Away Before Claiming?

If someone dies before age 62, they cannot claim Social Security benefits. However, there are provisions for their families:

• Survivors’ Benefits: Financial support for spouses and dependent children.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Available for individuals with terminal illnesses who qualify based on their work credits.

It’s also important to note that U.S. citizens living abroad can still receive Social Security checks, with some exceptions.

Certain countries, including Cuba and North Korea, have restrictions, although there are some exceptions for other nations. To verify eligibility, you can use the government’s Payments Abroad Screening Tool.

How to Secure Your Social Security Benefits

If you’re worried about not receiving Social Security, there are ways to ensure you qualify:

1. Earn Enough Credits

• Work and Contribute: Make sure you are working in a job that contributes to Social Security taxes. If your employment history has gaps, consider working longer to accumulate the necessary 40 credits.
• Earn at Least $1,810 Per Credit: In 2025, you must earn this amount to gain one credit. You can earn up to four credits each year.

2. Consider Delaying Retirement

• Delayed Retirement Credits: If you haven’t earned enough credits by age 62, you may choose to work a few more years to secure your eligibility.
• Maximize Benefits: Waiting until Full Retirement Age or even age 70 to claim benefits can increase your monthly payments.

3. Review Your Social Security Statement Regularly

• Track Earnings and Credits: Regularly reviewing your statement ensures that your earnings are correctly recorded and helps you stay on track to receive benefits.
• SSA Retirement Estimator: Use this tool to get an accurate estimate of your future benefits based on your current work history.

4. Look Into Spousal Benefits

• Divorced Individuals: If you were married for at least 10 years and are now divorced, you may still be eligible for spousal benefits. Applying for these benefits won’t affect your ex-spouse’s payments.
• No Remarriage: To qualify, you must not have remarried, and your marriage must have lasted at least 10 years.

5. Explore Disability and Other Benefits

• SSI for Disability: If you’re unable to work due to a disability, look into Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provides support even if you don’t qualify for standard Social Security benefits.
• Totalization Agreements for Immigrants: Immigrants from 30 countries with U.S. totalization agreements can combine their U.S. credits with credits from their home countries. You must earn at least six credits in the U.S. to use this agreement.

6. Check Eligibility if Living Abroad

• Use Government Tools: Verify if you can receive Social Security benefits while living in another country using the Payments Abroad Screening Tool. While many countries allow direct deposits, some have restrictions.

Who Might Be at Risk of Missing Out?

Understanding who could be at risk helps highlight the importance of planning:

• Late-arriving immigrants: Might not have sufficient time to earn enough credits.
• Infrequent workers: May struggle to accumulate credits due to extended periods out of the workforce.
• Workers in jobs not covered by Social Security: Should ensure they have other retirement plans in place.

The journey to securing Social Security benefits requires careful planning and an understanding of the system.

Whether it’s ensuring you earn enough credits, tracking your contributions, or exploring spousal and disability benefits, there are steps you can take to avoid being part of the 2.6 million seniors who miss out on this essential support.

Start by reviewing your Social Security Statement, consulting a financial advisor, and using the resources provided by the SSA.

With proactive planning, you can ensure you’re well-prepared for retirement and able to receive the benefits you’ve earned.

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