US Social Security eligibility for individuals without work histories

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), individuals in the United States may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits even if they have no personal work history or have not accumulated sufficient work credits. Eligibility is determined by specific family, personal, and economic circumstances.

Key categories for receiving benefits include:

• Spouses of retired or disabled workers: Individuals aged 62 or older can claim benefits based on a spouse's work record. Exceptions exist for those caring for a child under 16 or a child with a disability. The maximum amount is generally half of the spouse's full retirement age benefit.

• Former spouses: Benefits can be claimed based on an ex-partner's work record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. Requesting these benefits does not reduce the amount received by the ex-spouse or their current family.

• Widows and widowers: Survivor benefits can be claimed based on a deceased partner's work record. Generally, these can be requested starting at age 60, or age 50 if the individual has a disability.

• Surviving former spouses: Individuals may qualify based on the work history of a deceased ex-partner if the marriage lasted at least 10 years.