Credit a QC (maximum of 4) for each increment of total earnings credited to the year. The total earnings credited may consist of nonagricultural wages (including deemed military wages), railroad compensation, agricultural wages, and self-employment income, as discussed in RS 00301.220, to the maximum creditable for the year.

For calendar years after 1978, the Secretary publishes (in the Federal Register on or before November 1 of that year) the amount of earnings needed for a QC in the next year.

RS 00301.200, Quarters of Coverage (QC)

RS 00301.250, Chart of Increment Amounts