How many quarters of coverage must a worker have to be considered currently insured?

The requirement for a worker to be considered currently insured under the Social Security program is having earned at least six quarters of coverage. Quarters of coverage are a way of determining whether a worker has sufficient work history to qualify for various Social Security benefits, including disability and retirement benefits.

To elaborate, a quarter of coverage is generally earned by working a certain amount of time and earning a specified amount of income within a calendar year. A worker accumulates up to four quarters each year, but to maintain current insured status, a minimum of six quarters is necessary. This measure ensures that individuals have a substantial connection to the workforce and have contributed to the Social Security system before they can claim benefits.

As for the incorrect options, four quarters would not meet the threshold for being currently insured, while eight and ten quarters exceed what is necessary. The focus on the correct answer highlights the importance of understanding how qualifications for Social Security benefits are structured to aid in assessing eligibility.