Insured status is the earnings requirement a number holder (NH) must meet in order to establish entitlement to any type of benefit or a period of disability based on their earnings record (e.g., retirement, disability or survivor’s insurance benefits).

 

To meet insured status, the NH must have the required number of earnings credits, called “quarters of coverage” (QCs), on their earnings record. For certain benefits, the QCs must be earned within a specific time frame. There are several different insured status tests depending upon the type of benefit being sought. The table in RS 00301.101B of this section summarizes the various insured status tests.

 

An alien worker whose SSN was assigned before January 1, 2004 is exempt from the requirements of section 211 of the Social Security Protection Act, even if the SSN was not “work authorized.”

 

The following table shows where to find more information about QCs:

The following table summarizes the type(s) of insured status a Number Holder must meet for each class of benefits:

 

Certain employees of private nonprofit organizations who do not otherwise meet the fully insured status test in RS 00301.105 are deemed “fully insured” for all Title II purposes, (including Medicare based on End Stage Renal Disease in Section 226A of the SSAct) if the employee meets the requirements in RS 00301.106.

Under Section 211 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004, an alien worker must meet additional requirements to be considered insured if their SSN was first assigned on or after January 1, 2004. See RS 00301.102 for a full discussion of these requirements.