How do you know how many work credits you have accumulated for retirement?

You can check your accumulated work credits for retirement by accessing your Social Security account online at the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. You can create or log in to your account to view your earnings history and the number of work credits you have earned. Typically, you need 40 credits (equivalent to about 10 years of work) to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. Additionally, you can review your annual Social Security Statement, which is mailed to you or available online, to track your credits.