SSDI in 2025: Will You Get the Maximum Benefit? Check Your Credits

If you’re counting on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in 2025, there’s one thing you need to get right: your Social Security credits. They’re the key to qualifying for benefits, and knowing how they work can help you understand how much you’ll receive. Let’s break it down in plain English.

What Are Social Security Credits and How Do You Earn Them?

Think of Social Security credits like points you earn by working. The more you work, the more credits you rack up. In 2025, here’s how it works:

• You earn 1 credit for every $1,810 you make.
• You can earn up to 4 credits per year.
• If you earn $7,240 or more in 2025, you’ll automatically get all 4 credits for the year.

These credits don’t just help with SSDI—they’re also important for retirement and survivor benefits later on.

How Many Credits Do You Need to Qualify for SSDI?

The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled:

• Under 24 years old: You need 6 credits earned in the last 3 years.
• Ages 24 to 31: You’ll need credits for half the time you’ve been working since you turned 21. For example, if you’re 27, you’d need 12 credits.
• 31 or older: You need at least 20 credits from the 10 years before you became disabled.

Basically, the older you are, the more credits you need.

How Much Will You Get in SSDI Payments?

The number of credits gets you in the door, but your actual monthly payment is based on your lifetime earnings. Here’s how it works:

1. The SSA looks at your highest-earning 35 years (or fewer, if you don’t have that many).
2. They calculate your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), adjusting for inflation.
3. From there, they figure out your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which determines your SSDI payment.

So, even though your credits qualify you for SSDI, your lifetime earnings determine how much you’ll get. The more you earned while working, the bigger your payment will be.

Key Takeaways:

• In 2025, you’ll earn 1 credit for every $1,810 you make, up to 4 credits a year.
• The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled.
• Your monthly SSDI payment is based on your lifetime earnings, not the number of credits you’ve earned.

If you’re unsure about your credits or benefits, log into your SSA account at ssa.gov or talk to a financial advisor.