Who Is Eligible for RSDI? Benefits, Requirements & Work Credits
RSDI eligibility is based on Social Security-covered work and the circumstances of the claim.
The program covers
- Retirement
- Disability, and
- Survivor benefits, with eligibility rules that vary by benefit type.
Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) also known as Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) is the federal social insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) under Title II of the Social Security Act.
Enacted in 1935 as part of the New Deal, RSDI is the largest income-continuation program in the United States. It replaces part of a worker’s income when they retire, become disabled, or die, based on that worker’s history of FICA payroll-tax contributions.
- Retirement benefits — monthly payments to retired workers and eligible spouses/children
- Survivor benefits — monthly payments to a deceased worker’s spouse, children, or dependent parents
- Disability benefits (SSDI) — monthly payments to workers unable to work due to a qualifying disability, and their dependents
- Auxiliary benefits — payments to eligible spouses and children of retired or disabled workers
- Lump-sum death (burial) benefit — one-time payment to a surviving spouse or dependent
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1943 – 1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 and later | 67 |
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What Benefits Does RSDI Provide?
| RSDI Benefit | What It Provides |
|---|---|
| Retirement | Monthly income for eligible retired workers. |
| Disability | Monthly income for eligible workers with a qualifying disability. |
| Survivors | Monthly payments to certain family members after a worker dies. |
| Family benefits | Benefits for certain spouses and children based on a worker’s record. |
| Medicare | Medicare eligibility for certain people receiving disability benefits. |
Typical Benefits:
- Low earners: About $700/month at full retirement age.
- Average workers: About $2,071/month
- High earners: Up to $4,152/month at full retirement age
- Early claimers: Up to $2,969/month at age 62 for a maximum earner.
- Delayed claimers: Up to $5,181/month at age 70 for a maximum earner.
Who Is Eligible for RSDI?
Most RSDI benefits require work credits.
A credit is earned for a certain amount of annual wages.
| RSDI Benefit | Who May Qualify? | Main Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement | Workers age 62+ | Enough Social Security credits |
| Disability | Workers with qualifying disabilities | Disability + sufficient recent work credits |
| Survivors | Eligible spouses, children, ex-spouses, dependent parents | Worker had sufficient credits |
| Family | Certain spouses, children and other family members | Qualifying relationship to worker |
1. Retirement Benefits
You may qualify if you:
- Are age 62 or older
- Worked and paid Social Security taxes
- Earned enough work credits, generally 40 credits for retirement benefits
2. Disability Benefits
You may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you:
- Have a qualifying disability or blindness
- Worked in jobs covered by Social Security
- Earned enough recent work credits
- Have a condition that prevents substantial work and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death
The number of credits required depends on your age when the disability begins. Younger workers can qualify with fewer credits.
3. Survivors Benefits
Certain family members may qualify after a worker dies, including:
- Spouses and ex-spouses
- Children
- Dependent parents
The deceased worker generally must have earned enough Social Security credits.
4. Family Benefits
Some family members can receive benefits based on a worker’s retirement or disability record. Potential beneficiaries include:
- Spouses
- Ex-spouses
- Children
- Certain grandchildren
Family members generally do not need their own work credits because eligibility is based on the worker’s record.
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Learn how SSI, SSDI work credits, and family-based benefits can affect eligibility if you have little or no work history.
RSDI vs. SSDI vs. SSI
RSDI and SSDI are based primarily on Social Security work and earnings records, while SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources.
| Feature | RSDI | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|---|
| What It Is | Retirement, survivor & disability benefits | Disability benefits | Need-based assistance |
| Who Qualifies? | Workers & eligible family members | Disabled workers with enough work credits | People 65+, blind, or disabled with low income/resources |
| Work History Needed? | Usually yes | Yes | No |
| Based On | Work & earnings record | Work & earnings record | Financial need |
| Income/Resource Limits? | No | No | Yes |
| Family Benefits? | Yes | Yes, for eligible family members | Generally no |
| Funding | Social Security payroll taxes | Social Security payroll taxes | Federal general taxes |
RSDI Benefits for Family Members
Eligible family members can receive payments based on a worker’s record under both retirement and disability insurance.
- Spousal Benefits (Retirement/Disability): A spouse at full retirement age can claim 50% of the worker’s PIA or up to 100% of PIA.
- Child Benefits: Unmarried children under 18 and disabled adult children can get up to 50% of the worker’s PIA.
- Survivors: Upon a worker’s death, a widow(er) at FRA is entitled to 100% of the worker’s PIA, or 75% at age 60. A widower with a disability can get 71.5% at age 50. Dependent parents can get 82.5% (with one parent) or 75% each (two parents) of PIA.
- Limits: Total family benefits on one record are capped at approx. 150–185% of the worker’s PIA, varying by PIA level.
If a retired worker’s PIA is $2,000, a wife at FRA could receive $1,000 (50%), and each young child could receive $1,000, subject to the family maximum.
If the worker dies, a widow at FRA could receive $2,000 (100%), while each child could receive $1,500 (75%), also subject to the family cap.
How to Apply for RSDI Benefits
SSA may ask for information such as:
- Proof of age (birth certificate, passport)
- Social Security number/card
- Earnings records (W-2, 1099, or tax returns)
- Marriage certificate (for spouse benefits) / divorce papers
- Death certificate (for survivors benefits)
- Medical records and doctor info (for disability claims)
- Military discharge (DD-214) if applicable
- Bank routing & account # for direct deposit
Check Which RSDI Benefit You Need
Before applying, you need to determine whether you are applying for:
- Retirement benefits: Based on your own Social Security work record.
- Disability benefits: For workers who meet SSA’s disability and work-credit requirements.
- Survivor benefits: For eligible family members of a deceased worker.
- Family benefits: Certain spouses, children, or other family members may qualify based on another worker’s record.
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to SSA.gov Open the Social Security application page. |
| 2 | Choose your benefit Select retirement, disability, family, or survivor benefits. |
| 3 | Start the application Select the option to begin your application. |
| 4 | Sign in or create an account Use your my Social Security account when required. |
| 5 | Complete the application Answer the questions and follow the instructions. |
| 6 | Submit the application Review your information and submit it to SSA. |
| 7 | Check your status Sign in to your my Social Security account to track your application. |
After you submit your application, SSA reviews it, and you can check its status online through your my Social Security account.
How Far Back Will Social Security Pay Disability?
Learn how SSDI retroactive benefits, back pay, the five-month waiting period, and your application date affect how far back you may be paid.
Social Security Retirement and Disability Basics FAQ
Age 62. Starting at 62 permanently reduces your monthly retirement benefit compared with claiming at Full Retirement Age.
Your FRA depends on your birth year and ranges from 66 to 67. For anyone born in 1960 or later, the FRA is 67.
Most people need 40 work credits, or about 10 years of work, to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. SSDI and survivor benefits can require fewer credits depending on your age and circumstances.
SSA generally considers you disabled if a medical condition prevents substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
SGA is the monthly earnings level SSA uses when evaluating whether someone is able to perform substantial work. The amount varies by year and is higher for people who are legally blind.
Yes. SSA allows a Trial Work Period during which you can test your ability to work while continuing to receive SSDI, subject to the program’s rules.
Yes. SSDI generally has a five-month waiting period after the onset of disability before benefits can begin.
Yes, you may receive back pay for months you were eligible before approval, subject to SSDI’s waiting period and retroactive-benefit rules.
Yes. SSA can conduct Continuing Disability Reviews to determine whether you still meet the requirements for SSDI. Retirement benefits generally continue once awarded.
You can appeal the decision, starting with reconsideration and potentially proceeding to an administrative hearing, Appeals Council review, and federal court.
SSDI beneficiaries generally become eligible for Medicare after 24 months of entitlement, while SSI eligibility can provide a pathway to Medicaid depending on the state.
Yes. Up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be subject to federal income tax depending on your combined income and filing status.
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