The highest special minimum benefit in 2023 is $1,033.50 per month and jumps to $1,066.50 in 2024.
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The Social Security special minimum benefit provides a primary insurance amount (PIA) to low-earning workers. The lowest minimum PIA, with at least 11 years of work, is $49. 40 per month in 2023 and $50. 90 in 2024. The full minimum PIA, which requires at least 30 years of work, is $1,033. 50 per month in 2023 and $1,066. 50 in 2024.
Special minimum benefits are based on how many years you’ve worked, while regular Social Security benefits are based on how much money you made in the past.
The Social Security special minimum benefit is a program that was enacted in 1972 in order to provide benefits to those who earn a low wage.
But the monthly amount you’ll actually receive if you qualify for this benefit varies based on when you file for Social Security retirement benefits:
Are you wondering about the minimum Social Security benefit you might receive? I’ve researched this topic extensively, and the answer might surprise you. Let’s dive into the details of the minimum Social Security benefits and how they work in 2024.
The Bottom Line on Minimum Social Security Benefits
For those who don’t want to read the entire article here’s the quick answer In 2024 the lowest Social Security benefit you can receive is $50.90 per month for someone with exactly 11 years of coverage. The maximum special minimum benefit is $1,066.50 per month for those with 30 years of coverage.
Understanding the Special Minimum Benefit
The Social Security special minimum benefit was created in 1972 specifically to help low-income workers. Unlike the standard Social Security benefit calculation which is based on your lifetime earnings, the special minimum benefit focuses on your years of coverage.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the special minimum benefit, you must have:
- At least 11 years of coverage
- Earned a certain minimum amount in each of those years
A “year of coverage” is defined as any year in which you paid a significant amount into the Social Security Trust Fund The threshold for what counts as a “year of coverage” changes annually based on wage indexes
How the Special Minimum Benefit is Calculated
The calculation for the special minimum benefit doesn’t use your specific earnings history like the regular Social Security formula does. Instead, it relies on how many “years of coverage” you have accumulated.
For December 2022 (with 2024 increases applied):
- 11 years of coverage = $50.90 per month
- 30 years of coverage = $1,066.50 per month
And there’s a graduated scale for years in between. Unlike regular Social Security benefits, there are no increases in the special minimum benefit for delaying filing beyond your full retirement age. However, filing early will still reduce your benefit amount.
The Special Minimum Benefit vs. Standard Social Security Benefits
It’s important to understand that in most cases, the standard Social Security benefit will be higher than the special minimum benefit. This is because:
- The standard benefit is adjusted using a wage index
- The special minimum benefit is adjusted using price-based inflation
Due to this difference in adjustment methods, fewer people qualify for the special minimum benefit each year. In 2019, out of approximately 64 million Social Security recipients, only about 32,092 qualified for the minimum benefit.
Factors That Affect Your Benefit Amount
Several factors can influence how much you’ll receive from the special minimum benefit:
1. Years of Coverage
The more years of coverage you have, the higher your special minimum benefit will be. As mentioned earlier, the maximum benefit comes with 30 years of coverage.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how years of coverage affects your benefit amount:
| Years of Coverage | Monthly Benefit (2024) |
|---|---|
| 11 years | $50.90 |
| 15 years | ~$375 |
| 20 years | ~$680 |
| 25 years | ~$850 |
| 30 years | $1,066.50 |
2. Age at Retirement
If you claim benefits before reaching your full retirement age (FRA), your benefit amount will be reduced:
- If you file during the 36-month period before your FRA: Your benefit decreases by 0.555% per month
- If you file earlier than that 36-month period: Your benefit decreases by 0.417% per month
In this case, if you are eligible for the full minimum benefit of $1,066 50 percent, but if you claim at age 62 (assuming your FRA is 67), you’ll get 30 percent less. This would result in a benefit of approximately $746. 55 per month.
Who Typically Receives the Special Minimum Benefit?
The special minimum benefit is primarily designed for people who:
- Worked consistently for many years
- Had very low earnings throughout their career
- Would otherwise receive extremely low Social Security benefits
Because the standard benefit formula has generally outpaced the special minimum benefit over time, fewer people qualify for this provision each year. The Social Security Administration reported that in 2019, only about 32,092 beneficiaries out of 64 million were receiving the special minimum benefit.
What If You Never Worked?
If you never worked and don’t have an earnings record, you’re not necessarily out of luck. You may still be eligible for benefits if:
- You’re married (or were married) to someone who’s entitled to Social Security
- You can collect spousal benefits equal to 50% of your husband or wife’s benefits at full retirement age
How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits
If you’re worried that your Social Security benefit will be too low, here are some things you can do:
- Work for more years: Increasing your years of coverage can boost your special minimum benefit
- Delay retirement: Waiting until your full retirement age will prevent reductions to your benefit
- Consider the standard benefit: In most cases, the standard Social Security calculation will provide a higher benefit than the special minimum
Final Thoughts
The Social Security special minimum benefit provides a safety net for low-income workers, ensuring they receive at least some retirement income after years of work. While the minimum amount of $50.90 per month may seem low, it’s important to remember that this is for individuals with just 11 years of covered employment.
As long as they work steadily, most people will be able to get higher benefits from Social Security, either through the regular formula or the higher levels of the special minimum benefit.
Who receives the special minimum Social Security benefit?
You must have worked for at least 11 years and made at least a certain amount of taxable income in order to get the special minimum Social Security benefit. In 2023, that minimum income threshold is $17,820; it is $18,765 in 2024.
The benefit ends after 30 years of service, at which point you’ll get the full special minimum as your main insurance amount, which is $1,033. 50 per month in 2023 and $1,066. 50 in 2024. The total monthly benefit will be reduced if you file early. You wont receive a larger benefit if you file past full retirement age.
Keep in mind that when you retire, you’ll get the bigger of the two benefits: the special minimum benefit or regular Social Security retirement benefits. You can’t receive both payments at the same time.
As wages have increased, the number of people taking advantage of the special minimum benefit has dwindled over the years. In the early 1990s, about 200,000 people took advantage of this program, according to the Social Security Administration. In 2022, that number dropped below 23,000.
Did you know that Medicare Part B premiums are usually automatically deducted from your Social Security retirement checks? Learn more about how much Medicare actually costs.
The Minimum Social Security Benefit
FAQ
What is the minimum monthly social security benefit?
The Social Security special minimum benefit’s floor is projected to be $52. 10 a month for 2025 for a worker with 11 years of coverage; the most they can pay for 30 years of coverage is $1,093. 10.
What is the minimum amount of years you have to work to get social security?
To be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, you generally need 10 years of work (40 credits). You earn these credits by paying Social Security taxes, with a maximum of four credits per year.
What is the least amount of money you can collect from social security?
The term “minimum social security” refers to the special minimum benefit for low-wage workers who work for a long time. A worker must have worked for at least 11 years and received either their regular benefit or the special minimum, whichever is higher, in order to be eligible. The amount depends on years of coverage, with the monthly benefit increasing with more years worked.
What is the lowest average Social Security benefit?
The lowest average Social Security benefit will vary based on the age you take your benefits, how much you paid in over your earning years, and whether or not you get spousal benefits from a deceased spouse.
What is the minimum Social Security retirement benefit?
The minimum Social Security retirement benefit is approximately $52 a month if you have a minimum of 11 years of work history. On the other hand, the maximum Social Security benefit is pretty significant. It is $5,108 per month in 2025. The table below shows the amounts of the special minimum benefit based on your years of coverage.
How much is Social Security a month?
Most people see a higher benefit amount when using traditional calculations. The minimum Social Security retirement benefit is approximately $52 a month if you have a minimum of 11 years of work history. On the other hand, the maximum Social Security benefit is pretty significant. It is $5,108 per month in 2025.
Do low-income people get social security minimum payments?
Average wage earners usually rely on the traditional benefit calculation, but low-income individuals might benefit from the Social Security minimum payment. In recent years, the minimum benefit provision has changed so much that almost no one receives it anymore.
Do you know the minimum Social Security benefits?
Social Security provides a basic level of income for retirees, but the minimum benefit varies. Your work history and earnings affect the Social Security payments you receive. Knowing the minimum benefits can guide your retirement planning and financial goals.
What is a special minimum Social Security benefit?
The special minimum Social Security benefit is a minimum PIA that was created in 1972 to provide benefits to certain low-income workers. Specifically, the special minimum benefit is designed for people who have lower lifetime earnings overall. These benefits are calculated based on years of service, not earnings.