Seniors who are still working may be eligible to receive Social Security retirement payments. To receive retirement checks or direct deposits, you must be at least 62 years old. Of course, you must have worked, and not all jobs remit payroll taxes to the Administration.
As a result, you may have worked for 40 years and still be ineligible for Social Security retirement payments. This is typical when you have spent the most of your life working abroad. It’s possible that your profits come from the local, state, or federal government. The SSA rules will be different for you then.
Have you earned at least 40 work or Social Security credits?
If you are 62 or older and have accumulated 40 work credits, you can apply for retirement benefits. Forty work credits equal ten years of effort. It may be higher at times, depending on your annual income.
If you don’t know how many Social Security credits you’ve earned so far, you can check your my Social Security account. It allows you to download your Statement.
This will allow you to determine whether you are eligible for retirement benefits at age 62. Furthermore, it will show you the feasible amounts at various ages. Keep in mind that filing for Social Security at age 62 affects your benefit amount.
Social Security retirement benefit payments in December
Once you apply for retirement benefits, you must wait for SSA approval. Then, you may receive your monthly payment on December 3, 11, 18, and 24. For example, if you recently applied, the only way to receive a payment on December 3 is if you are also receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Those receiving Social Security retirement benefits on December 11, 18, or 24 must have been born on the following dates:
- December 11: born from 1-10
- December 18: born 11-20
- December 24: born 21-31
The amount of your payment will be determined by your work history and prior earnings. Payments will average around $1,927 in December 2024. The 2.5% COLA hike for 2025 will be given in January of that year.