Key Points Most retirees are eligible for Social Security benefits. You earn eligibility by earning enough work credits. The rules for earning a work credit are changing in 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › When you are retired, there is a very good chance that you will collect Social Security benefits and that these benefits will be an important source of your income. However, while most workers in the U.S. become eligible for these benefits, that is no ...