Millions of noncitizens work in the United States and pay Social Security taxes throughout their careers. But paying into the system does not automatically mean someone will qualify for retirement benefits.
For lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders, the rules are similar to those that apply to U.S. citizens. In most cases, eligibility for Social Security retirement benefits depends on a worker’s earnings history and the number of Social Security credits they have accumulated.
For many workers, that means meeting what is commonly known as the 40-credit rule.
Can Green Card holders receive Social Security?
Yes. Lawfully present noncitizens who meet the applicable eligibility requirements can qualify for Social Security benefits.
A green card holder who works in the United States and earns income covered by Social Security generally accumulates credits in the same way as other workers. Those credits can determine whether they are insured for retirement benefits and can also be relevant to disability and survivors benefits.
However, simply having a green card does not automatically create eligibility. The worker must generally have accumulated enough credits to qualify for the specific benefit they are seeking.
What is the 40-credit rule?
Social Security credits are based on a worker’s annual earnings. In 2026, workers earn one Social Security credit for every $1,890 in covered earnings. A person can earn a maximum of four credits in a single year, meaning they need $7,560 in covered earnings during the year to receive all four available credits.
For Social Security retirement benefits, a worker typically needs 40 credits. Because no more than four credits can be earned each year, that usually means accumulating credits over the equivalent of approximately 10 years of work.
It does not necessarily mean someone must work continuously for 10 consecutive years, however. Credits remain on a worker’s record, so they can accumulate them over different periods of employment. The Social Security Administration also notes that the exact number of credits required can depend on the type of benefit and, in some cases, the worker’s age when applying.
What if a Green Card holder does not have 40 credits?
A worker who does not have enough credits to qualify for a regular U.S. Social Security benefit may still have other options in certain circumstances. For example, someone may be eligible for benefits based on the work record of a spouse or, in some cases, through survivors benefits.
Another important exception involves countries that have a Social Security totalization agreement with the United States. These agreements can allow periods of coverage earned in the U.S. and another participating country to be considered together when determining whether a worker qualifies for a benefit.
To use foreign coverage to help qualify for a U.S. benefit under one of these agreements, the worker generally must have earned at least six U.S. Social Security credits. The resulting benefit may be a partial one based on the worker’s U.S. earnings record.
The United States currently has Social Security agreements with countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and several others.
Does working abroad count toward Social Security credits?
Generally, Social Security credits are earned through covered work and self-employment in the United States. Work performed outside the country does not automatically add to a person’s U.S. Social Security record. However, a totalization agreement may allow periods of coverage earned under another country’s Social Security system to help a worker meet eligibility requirements for a partial U.S. benefit.
The foreign credits are not transferred into the U.S. system. Instead, the two countries’ coverage periods can be considered together for eligibility purposes under the terms of the agreement.
What happens if a Green Card holder leaves the United States?
Qualifying for Social Security benefits and being able to continue receiving those payments while living abroad are two separate issues.
The Social Security Administration has special rules for non-U.S. citizens who leave the country. In general, payments to a noncitizen who remains outside the United States for more than six consecutive calendar months may stop unless an exception applies.
The rules depend on factors including the beneficiary’s citizenship, the country where they are living, and the type of benefit they receive. Some people may continue receiving payments abroad, while others may need to return to the United States and meet specific presence requirements before payments can resume.
Because the rules can vary significantly from one country and individual situation to another, the Social Security Administration provides a Payments Abroad Screening Tool to help beneficiaries determine whether their payments can continue outside the United States.
The rundown
Green card holders are not excluded from Social Security simply because they are not U.S. citizens. In most cases, the key requirement for retirement benefits is earning enough Social Security credits through covered work. For many workers, that means reaching the 40-credit threshold, which usually takes the equivalent of around 10 years of work.
But workers with fewer than 40 credits should not automatically assume they are ineligible. Benefits based on a spouse’s work record, survivors benefits and international totalization agreements can create additional paths to eligibility depending on the individual’s circumstances.
As always with Social Security, the details of a person’s work history, immigration status, and plans to live inside or outside the United States can all affect the final answer.
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