Life Insurance✓ Verified · outline & fact-checked · Sep 2026Difficulty 2/5
A 22-year-old worker has earned 6 Social Security credits within the past three years. This worker is considered:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
A worker under age 24 is currently insured for Social Security if they have earned 6 credits in the three years ending with the quarter of death or disability. Currently insured status qualifies dependents for certain survivor benefits. Fully insured status, by contrast, requires 40 credits (about 10 years of work) and is needed for retirement benefits and other benefits.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) The worker has earned only 6 credits, not the 40 credits that fully insured status generally requires; the fact pattern states 6 credits were earned in the past three years.
- C) Currently insured workers' dependents ARE eligible for some survivor benefits, including a lump sum death payment and benefits for children in care.
- D) Medicare Part A eligibility generally requires fully insured status or age 65; 6 credits do not qualify a young worker for Medicare.
Memory hook
6 credits in 3 years = currently insured. 40 credits in a lifetime = fully insured.