To be fully insured for social security benefits, a worker must be credited with?

To be fully insured for social security benefits, a worker must accumulate 40 quarters of coverage, which is equivalent to 10 years of work where they have paid Social Security taxes. Each quarter of coverage is earned by working and making enough income to contribute to Social Security, which is subject to annual monetary limits that can adjust based on the economy.

Accumulating these 40 quarters is essential because it qualifies individuals for various Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. This requirement ensures that only those who have a sufficient work history and have contributed to the system can access these important safety nets.

The other options, while representing substantial work efforts, do not meet the threshold set by Social Security for full coverage and benefits eligibility, highlighting that 40 quarters is indeed the correct and necessary amount for full insurance under the program.