I have Multiple Sclerosis for over 30 years. I worked until I was no longer able and I have acquired only 39 of the required 40 Social Security credits. I am now 63. What can I do to get one more credit in order to qualify for and Medicare??

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your illness.

It's impossible for me to properly advise you without knowing more about your earnings history. If you had already earned 39 quarters of Social Security coverage (QC) before the year in which you turned age 62 and if at least 20 of those quarters were earned within the 10 year period leading up to your last substantial work (https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/sga.html), then it's possible that you already meet the insured status requirement for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI). If that sounds like a possibility in your case, you may want to check with Social Security about filing for SSDI before you worry about earning the additional QC that you need to be fully insured for retirement benefits. And, even if you earn your 40th QC you won't be eligible for Medicare until age 65 unless you also qualify for SSDI. People on SSDI become eligible for Medicare coverage effective with their 25th month of SSDI entitlement.

You also don't mention your marital history, so I don't know whether or not you might qualify for spousal or divorced spousal benefits.

As far as earning an additional QC goes, there is no way to do it other than by earning enough wages or net self-employment earnings to qualify for a QC. In 2018, you need to earn at least $1,320 in order to qualify for a QC.

Best, Jerry