Seniors who are still working may be able to claim Social Security retirement benefits. The first thing you need to take into account is that you must be at least 62 years old to receive retirement checks or direct deposits. Of course, you must have also worked, and not all jobs pay payroll taxes to the Administration.
Therefore, you may have worked for 40 years and still not be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. This usually happens when you work abroad for most of your life. Sometimes it could be the case that your earnings come from a local, state, or federal government. SSA rules will be different for you then.
Have you earned at least 40 work or Social Security credits?
If you are 62 years old or older, and you have earned 40 work credits you can apply for retirement benefit payments. Forty work credits represent 10 years of work. Sometimes it could be more, since it will depend on your earnings per year.
If you do not know the number of Social Security credits you have earned so far, you just need your my Social Security account. Through it, you can download your Statement.
In this way, you will be able to see if you can get retirement benefits at 62 or not. What is more, it will show you the possible amounts at different ages. Bear in mind that filing for Social Security at 62 reduces your payment amount.
Social Security retirement benefit payments in December
Once you apply for retirement benefits, you need to wait for SSA’s approval. Then, you could receive your monthly payment on December 3, 11, 18, 24. For example, the only way to receive a payment on December 3 if you have recently applied is to be on Supplemental Security Income benefits too.
Those who receive Social Security retirement benefits on December 11, 18, or 24 must have been born on these dates:
- December 11: born from 1-10
- December 18: born 11-20
- December 24: born 21-31
The amount of your payment will depend on your work history and previous earnings. On average, payments will be about $1,927 in December 2024. The 2025 COLA increase of 2.5% will be issued in January 2025.