A qualifying quarter (QQ) is figured using SSA's method for figuring a quarter of coverage for SSA. QQs are earned by working at a job or as a self-employed person. A maximum of 4 QQs can be earned per year.
For 1978 and later, the number of QQs are credited based solely on the total yearly amount of earnings. All types of earnings follow this rule. The amount of earnings needed to earn a quarter of coverage increases and is different for each year. For 1978 through 
2018, the amount of earnings needed for each quarter of coverage is:
1978......$250
1979......$260
1980......$290
1981......$310
1982......$340
1983......$370
1984......$390
1985......$410
1986......$440
1987......$460
1988......$470
1989......$500
1990......$520
1991......$540
1992......$570
1993......$590
1994......$620
1995......$630
1996......$640 1997......$670
1998......$700
1999......$740
2000......$780
2001......$830
2002......$870
2003......$890
2004......$900
2005......$920
2006......$970
2007....$1,000
2008....$1,050
2009...$1,090
2010...$1,120
2011.....$1,120
2012.....$1,130
2013.....$1,160
2014.....$1,200
2015.....$1,220
2016.....$1,260
2017.....$1,300
2018.....$1,320
For a year that has passed, divide the total earnings for the year by the amount listed above to determine the number of QQs for the year. The maximum number of QQs is 4 per year.
For the current year, divide the total earnings for the year by the amount listed above and use the chart below to decide how many QQs to count.
| Date of Determination |
Maximum QQs Possible |
| On or before March 31 |
0 |
| April 1 - June 30 |
1 |
| July 1 - September 30 |
2 |
| October 1 - December 31 |
3 |
Beginning January 1, 1997, do not count a QQ if the wage earner received SSI, TANF, AFDC, SNAP, or Medicaid during the quarter.
To assign quarters from 1937 through 1977:
- Count a QQ for each calendar quarter in which a person was paid $50 or more in wages; and
- Count 4 QQ's for each year in which a person's net self-employment earnings were $400 or more; and
- Count a QQ for each $100 for agricultural wages paid during the year for the years 1955-1977.
Do not count a QQ earned before 1937.
