QUESTION: How long does a person need to work to become eligible for retirement benefits?ANSWER: Social Security benefits are based on credits. Anyone born in 1929 or later needs 40 Social Security credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. You can earn up to four credits per year, so you will need to work at least 10 years to become eligible for retirement benefits.Each year the amount of earnings needed for a credit rises as average earnings go up. In 2008, you receive one credit for each $1,050 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year. During your working years, earnings covered by Social Security are posted to your record. You earn credits based on those earnings. When you have your credits and you reach retirement age, you can file for retirement benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

QUESTION: How does Social Security know how much a person has earned?ANSWER: Each year, your employer reports your previous year's earnings to Social Security on Form W-2. Self-employed people report their earnings on their tax return.

QUESTION: I've reached my full retirement age, but I don't feel like retiring. If I decide to hold off for several more years, will my Social Security retirement benefit increase?ANSWER: Yes. If you decide to delay your retirement benefits until after your full retirement age, your benefit will be increased by a certain percentage each year — up to a total of 8 percent.These increases, called delayed retirement credits, will be added in automatically from the time you reach full retirement age until the time you begin taking benefits or reach age 70.To help you determine how much your benefit would increase, use the calculator at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/quickcalc/early—late.html or call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778.