I have 10 years less one quarter of employment, years ago. Last 20 years of self-employment. How do i get that last quarter to qualify for social security and Medicare. I am 63.

Hi,

The only way to get a quarter of coverage is to earn enough to qualify. In 2017, the amount of earnings needed for a quarter of coverage is $1300 (https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/QC.html).

The earnings can be from either wages or self-employment, or a combination of the two. In the case of wages, the countable amount is the gross wages subject to Social Security taxes. For self-employment, the countable amount is the net-earnings subject to self-employment taxes as reported on Schedule SE of your tax return.

Best, Jerry