I am 57, I qualify for and have paid into to SS but have not worked since 2008. Someone told me I would lose my benefits If I do not work for a 10 year period, which will be exactly 10 years in August of this year. Is this true?
Thanks

Hi,

No, that's not true. As long as you earned at least 40 quarters of Social Security coverage at some point in your lifetime you can qualify for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62.

The person you spoke with was probably referring to the insured status rules for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI). In order to be insured for SSDI you normally must have worked for the equivalent of at least 5 of the 10 years leading up to when you become disabled (https://www.ssa.gov/oact/ProgData/insured.html).

Best, Jerry