Will I get credits under Social Security for my local, state or federal government work, military service, or agricultural work?

Social Security does not cover all state and local government employees. For more information read our publication How State And Local Government Employees Are Covered By Social Security.

Social Security covers all federal employees hired after 1983 and some hired before 1983. For more information about federal workers benefits, visit our Social Security Benefits for Federal Workers and Information for Government Employees webpages.

Generally, you can get credit for military service earnings during active duty after 1956. Under certain circumstances, we will add extra credits to your record for military service from 1957 through 2001. These special extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit. For more information go to our Retirement Benefits: Military Service webpage or read our publication Military Service And Social Security.

You can get credits for farm work under Social Security if your employer pays you cash wages of at least $150 in a year and spends at least $2,500 a year on farm labor. For more information on our benefits for agricultural workers, visit to Social Security Coverage for Farm Work or read our If You Are A Farm Worker publication.