For millions of Americans relying on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), understanding how benefits are calculated is critical. As we enter 2025, SSDI payments will continue to be based on a fundamental requirement—Social Security work credits. Without enough credits, you may not qualify for SSDI, and if you do qualify, the number of credits you have can impact how much you receive.
How Do Social Security Credits Work?
Social Security credits are units of work history that determine eligibility for SSDI, as well as retirement and survivor benefits. In 2025, you will earn one credit for every $1,810 in wages or self-employment income. The maximum number of credits you can earn per year is four, meaning you need to make at least $7,240 annually to get the full four credits. These limits adjust each year to keep up with inflation and changes in average earnings. That means if you’re working in 2025 and earning income, you’re accumulating credits that could help you qualify for SSDI if you ever need it.
How Many Credits Do You Need to Qualify for SSDI?
The number of credits you need for SSDI depends on your age when you become disabled.
- If you are 31 or older, you generally need at least 20 credits earned in the last 10 years before your disability began.
- If you are between 24 and 30, you need credits for at least half the time between turning 21 and becoming disabled.
- If you are under 24, you may qualify with just six credits earned in the three years before your disability.
Since SSDI is designed to help people who can no longer work due to a disability, the SSA requires a recent work history to ensure that your earnings were recent enough to count.
How Are SSDI Payments Calculated?
Your SSDI benefit is not based on financial need but on your earnings history. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your benefits using your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which is based on your highest-earning years. The formula for determining your monthly check is applied to your AIME to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the basis for your SSDI payment. This means that if you had higher earnings before becoming disabled, your SSDI check will likely be higher. However, SSDI payments have a maximum limit—in 2025, the most you can receive is approximately $3,822 per month.
What You Should Do Now
If you’re currently receiving SSDI, you won’t need to do anything—your benefits will continue based on your established work history. However, if you think you may need SSDI in the future, check your Social Security statement to see how many credits you’ve earned. You can do this by logging into SSA.gov and reviewing your records. It’s also essential to report any errors in your earnings history as soon as possible. Missing or incorrect earnings could lower your benefits or make you ineligible for SSDI altogether.
Final Thoughts: Plan for Your SSDI Future
SSDI benefits in 2025 remain dependent on your Social Security credits and earnings history. The more credits you have—and the more you earned before becoming disabled—the higher your benefits will be. If you’re unsure of your status, take action now to verify your Social Security earnings and ensure you qualify for the benefits you may need in the future.