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I Started Dishwashing at 13—So Why Doesn’t Social Security Count It?

When I first started working as a dishwasher at a busy diner, barely tall enough to see over the sink, I wasn’t thinking about Social Security or retirement credits. Honestly, I just wanted to make some cash on my own. Fast forward a few decades, and as I looked over my Social Security statement, I realized those early hours of scrubbing pots and plates didn’t count at all. It felt like those years of hard work didn’t register anywhere.

This isn’t just some trip down memory lane. It’s a real issue about how Social Security tracks your work history and, more importantly, your future benefits. I’ve met plenty of folks—immigrants, gig workers, teens starting out—who felt blindsided to find out years of honest work weren’t showing up on their record. It’s frustrating, and yeah, it feels unfair. But the rules are pretty clear, and they’re not changing anytime soon.

Why Don’t Those Early Jobs Count?

Here’s the deal: Social Security credits are only earned through something called “covered employment.” In plain English, that means you have to work for an employer who reports your income to the IRS and deducts Social Security taxes from your paycheck. If you’re paid in cash without any paperwork, or if you’re under 16 in most cases, those earnings don’t go on your Social Security record. That’s just how the system works.

So, when I was paid under the table at that diner, none of that money got reported. The owner wasn’t handing in any paperwork, so the system just didn’t know I worked. I wasn’t being cheated by Social Security—it’s just that my job wasn’t the kind they track. This is pretty common, especially for small businesses that want to avoid the hassle (or cost) of payroll taxes.

Under-the-Table Work Is More Common Than You Think

Believe it or not, over 10% of U.S. workers are paid off the books at some point. For teens especially, cash jobs like babysitting, mowing lawns, or dishwashing are pretty much a rite of passage. But here’s the downside: none of those earnings build your Social Security record.

It’s easy to feel like you’ve been shortchanged. You worked hard, you earned that money—and in your mind, you contributed. But the reality is that Social Security rewards jobs that generate a clear paper trail. Without tax forms or pay stubs, the IRS and Social Security Administration have no way to track what you earned. And let’s be honest, most teenagers aren’t thinking about W-2s or self-employment taxes.

How Do Social Security Credits Actually Work?

In 2024, for every $1,640 you earn through a job or self-employment, you get one Social Security credit. You can earn up to four credits a year. Generally, you need 40 credits to qualify for retirement benefits. If your cash jobs aren’t reported, you don’t get those credits. Period.

It doesn’t matter if you worked 60 hours a week or just a handful. If it’s not on the books, it’s invisible to Social Security.

Clearing Up a Common Misunderstanding

Many people think Social Security should cover all the work people do in the U.S., but that’s not how it works. It’s more like insurance based on reported earnings. I’ve talked with immigrants who did years of work paid in cash before getting legal status—they’re often shocked when those years don’t count.

If you want your work to be part of your future benefits, you have to build a paper trail—W-2s from employers, pay stubs, or filing self-employment taxes if you’re your own boss.

What About Self-Employment?

Some enterprising teens start small businesses mowing lawns, delivering papers, or doing odd jobs. If they report their income, pay self-employment tax, and file the right forms (like Schedule SE), they can earn Social Security credits—even as minors. But in reality, most kids don’t know this is even an option, and parents often don’t either. This gap in awareness means a lot of earnings get left off the books.

Am I Being Cheated?

“Cheated” is a strong word. It’s frustrating, for sure. The rules are strict and don’t always match how people actually work—especially younger workers. Social Security is built around traceable, taxable jobs. If you’re paid in cash or working before the legal age, those hours just won’t show up.

There’s a reason for this: the IRS and Social Security need clear records to prevent fraud and keep things fair. But it also means millions of hours—especially from young people and immigrants—end up invisible in the system.

The Gig Economy Makes This Even Tricky

With so many people working gigs like DoorDash, Uber, or Fiverr, the problem is getting worse. Many get paid as independent contractors, and if they don’t report that income, they miss out on credits. I’ve met gig workers in their 30s who have patchy earnings records and might not qualify for full benefits when retirement rolls around.

This isn’t Social Security “cheating” anyone. It’s just that the system was designed for traditional full-time jobs, not side hustles and cash gigs.

When the System Lets People Down

I’ve seen this up close in two groups:

• Seasonal farm and domestic workers: Many get paid under the table for decades, with no Social Security record to show for it. When retirement age hits, they can’t claim benefits.
• Immigrants working without legal status: Even when they want to report their income, they often can’t. Later, when they become legal residents, those earlier years are lost forever.

Is There Any Way to Fix It?

If you’re still working, the best bet is to make sure all your current and future earnings are reported correctly. Always file your taxes, even if you’re self-employed. And if you’ve got teenagers in the house, talk to them about the importance of keeping records if they’re earning money.

But that dishwasher job at 13? There’s no way to add those hours after the fact. Social Security won’t accept just your word—it needs paperwork.

The Bottom Line

Social Security isn’t built to recognize every hour you’ve ever worked. It’s designed for formal, taxable jobs, which means a ton of real work—especially by teens and gig workers—doesn’t get recorded. You’re not being cheated, but you’re definitely hitting the limits of a system that hasn’t caught up with how most of us actually make a living these days.

If you want your future benefits to reflect your hard work, get it on the books. Otherwise, those early jobs—no matter how important to you—will just be stories you tell.

I’ve seen too many people realize this too late. Don’t be one of them.

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