SOCIAL SECURITY

Q. I worked for the last 10 years and now have my 40 credits. Does this mean that I get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
A. No. The 40 credits are the minimum number you need to qualify for a retirement benefit. The amount of the benefit, however, is not based on those credits; it's based on your earnings. We determine your average earnings over your working years and use a special formula to determine your benefit amount.
Knight Ridder Newspapers