Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning (ADFP) Practice Test

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In the context of Social Security benefits, what is the significance of earning credits?

  1. They can be redeemed for cash benefits

  2. They determine eligibility for benefits

  3. They increase the benefit amount

  4. They are offered to part-time workers only

The correct answer is: They determine eligibility for benefits

The significance of earning credits in the context of Social Security benefits primarily lies in their role in determining eligibility for those benefits. In the Social Security system, individuals accumulate work credits through their earnings. Generally, a worker needs to earn a certain number of credits to qualify for various benefits, such as retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. Typically, a worker can earn up to four credits per year, and the amount of income needed to earn a credit is adjusted annually. By accumulating the required number of credits, usually set at 40 for retirement benefits, an individual becomes eligible to receive Social Security benefits once they reach the appropriate age or fulfill other conditions. While there are several aspects relating to how credits work, such as the idea that more credits may lead to higher benefit amounts due to a higher calculation basis, the primary and critical function of these credits is to establish whether a person qualifies for the benefits in the first place. Thus, understanding the mechanism by which these credits function is essential for anyone studying topics related to financial planning and Social Security.