About 2.6 Million Americans Over 60 May Not Receive Social Security Benefits: Here’s What You Need to Know

Did you know that in America, 2.6 million people aged 60 and up would never receive Social Security benefits? If you want to rely on Social Security to supplement your retirement income, you are surely not alone.

With over 77 million current and potential recipients in the United States, many people rely on this vital support throughout their golden years. However, not everyone can count on receiving a monthly Social Security check.

Social Security Statistics Are Revealed

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), approximately 3.3% of Americans aged 60 and older are considered “never beneficiaries,” which means they do not receive SSA retirement payments. This number may cause you to ponder whether you should be concerned about your own eligibility.

To qualify for Social Security payments, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have worked and contributed to SSA taxes for at least ten years.
• During this time, you must acquire 40 credits (up to 4 every year).

Understanding these standards is critical to ensure your benefits are protected. By keeping aware and proactive, you can take the essential precautions to ensure that you are protected when it counts the most.

To guarantee you are on track to collect Social Security benefits:

• Review your Social Security statement on a regular basis to ensure that your earnings and credits are accurate.
• Consult a financial counselor to prepare for any potential gaps in your eligibility.
• Consider other savings alternatives to enhance your retirement income if necessary.

In 2025, collecting SSA credits will require you to earn at least $1,810 each credit, with the possibility of accumulating up to four credits annually.

Your final Social Security payment is computed using your greatest 35 years of earnings. Any years without work will be counted as zero in your benefit calculation.

Understanding The “Never Beneficiary” Status

Becoming a “never beneficiary” occurs when you have not earned enough credits to qualify for Social Security payments during your working years. This condition can be hard, especially for specific groups:

Who Might Become a Never Beneficiary?

• Late Arriving Immigrants: Nearly half of the never recipients, or 49%, are older immigrants who have not earned enough credits to qualify.
• Individuals who have taken time off work to raise children make up 38.9% of this group. These folks frequently struggle to obtain the required credits.
• Jobs Not Covered by Social Security: If you work in an area that is not covered by Social Security, you are among the 10.8% of never recipients, which means you will not receive any benefits.

When it comes to Social Security, many state and local government employees face a peculiar predicament. Although these workers do not pay Social Security taxes, this is not necessarily a negative. Instead of collecting Social Security payments when they retire, they frequently receive an employer-provided pension.

Similarly, employees in the train industry do not receive Social Security benefits. Instead, the Railroad Retirement Board covers them if they have more than ten years of service.

Understanding Eligibility and Timing

Only approximately 1.3% of beneficiaries die before receiving their Social Security payments. It’s worth noting that you can’t start claiming Social Security until you reach the age of 62.

However, in order to collect the full benefit amount, you must wait until your full retirement age, which varies by birth year and ranges between 66 and 67 years.

What Happens If You Die Before Claiming?

If someone dies before the age of 62, they will be unable to claim Social Security payments. However, there are programs in place to help families. Here are some important points:

• Individuals with terminal illnesses may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
• Survivors’ benefits may be available to spouses and dependent children, offering financial assistance during tough times.

Many people are astonished to learn that certain groups will not receive SSA benefits. Among these are US citizens living in specific foreign countries.

While it is usually feasible to get an SSA check while residing abroad, there are certain exceptions. Unfortunately, if you live in nations like Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan, you may not be eligible.

Nonetheless, some of these countries have exceptions, whereas Cuba and North Korea do not. You can check your eligibility using the government’s Payments Abroad Screening Tool.

Securing Your Social Security Benefits

Are you wondering how to ensure that you obtain your benefit? Here are some strategies to consider:

Consider delaying retirement until you acquire the requisite 40 credits.
If you are unable to work due to a handicap, consider other benefits, such as SSI.

Divorcees and Social Security Benefits

If you are divorced and are unable to get your own retirement benefit, you may be eligible for spousal benefits instead. To be eligible, you must have been married for at least ten years and have not remarried.

Applying for Spousal Benefits might be a strategic decision that does not need informing your ex, and it has no impact on their benefits.

Eligibility for Immigrants

There is still hope for immigrants who lack sufficient U.S. credits if they come from one of the 30 nations that have a totalization agreement with the United States. This agreement enables you to combine US credits with prorated benefits from your native country.

Nonetheless, you must have at least six credits acquired in the United States. If you haven’t met this requirement, consider working long enough to earn those credits.

Ensure Your Social Security Eligibility

If you’re unsure about your Social Security eligibility—perhaps because you work seldom or are a recent immigrant—what steps can you take to ensure you get your benefits?

Steps to Secure Your Benefits

Check your eligibility: To begin, go to the Social Security Administration’s website and verify your eligibility.
Use the SSA Retirement Estimator: This tool is extremely useful for planning your retirement and estimating prospective payments.
Taking these proactive activities ensures that you are well prepared for your retirement years. Source: https://www.ssa.gov/policies/docs/population-profiles/never-beneficiaries.html