If someone who has never worked is sent to jail at age 17 for 45 years and gets out when he or she is 62, can that person collect Social Security?

sue943

Might this not vary according to the country one is talking about? Speaking about the UK, there would be a gap in the person's contribution record which is likely to reduce the pension paid, however if a person doesn't have sufficient pension then they would receive some form of Income Support. A similar situation would apply in Jersey, Channel Islands - another factor would come into play here, was the person Jersey-born, or had they lived in the island for a minimum of five years prior to being sent to jail? If they had not then they would be unlikely to receive any assistance and would have to return to whence they came prior to incarceration. One needs to bear in mind that theis site is multi-national and state the country to which you refer if it is not clear. Apr 24 00, 4:20 PM

mh

Most likely not. A wage earner needs 10 quarters (of a year) of recorded earnings to be considered eligible. Thus, the person cannot collect on his/her own account. Now, if the person is a widow/er of someone who is eligible, then possibly yes. Additonally, if the person is disabled, they might be eligible for SSI, but that is tough to qualify for. Apr 24 00, 7:15 PM