Page 5 - 2019 Social Security Cheat Sheet
P. 5
Qualifying for Social Security Benefits
To become eligible for Social Security, you need a minimum of 6 Quarters of
Coverage (QC) and at least 1 QC each year after age 21. After reaching 40 QC’s,
you become eligible for individual retirement benefits based on your top 35 wage
adjusted earnings years. The QC increased from $1,320 to $1,360 for 2018, an
increase of 3%. In the last 20 years, the QC has increased over 74% from $780 in
2000. No more than 4 QC’s can be attained in each year, regardless of earnings.
Married and Divorced Spouses (married 10 consecutive years) are eligible for
spousal benefits, subject to certain criteria, even if they don’t meet qualifications
for individual benefits.
Source: Quarter of Coverage. Social Security Administration.
https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/QC.html. Last Accessed October 11, 2018.
