Colorado Life Producer License Practice Test

What is the status of a worker under Social Security Disability if they have earned 40 quarters of coverage?

1. Partially insured

2. Fully insured

3. Temporarily insured

4. Uninsured

The correct answer is: Fully insured

When a worker has earned 40 quarters of coverage under the Social Security System, they are classified as fully insured. This status indicates that the worker has met the necessary requirements for work credits, which is an essential factor for eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. To achieve fully insured status, a worker must accumulate 40 quarters of coverage, which equates to about 10 years of work where they have paid into the Social Security system. This status not only qualifies them for SSDI but also allows beneficiaries to access other Social Security benefits, such as retirement and survivor benefits. The other classifications such as partially insured, temporarily insured, and uninsured do not apply here since they refer to workers with fewer than 40 quarters of coverage. Partially insured usually refers to those who have enough quarters to qualify for some but not all SSDI benefits, while temporarily insured could refer to workers who have recently worked but have not yet established enough coverage to maintain their eligibility long-term. Uninsured describes individuals who have not earned enough work credits to be eligible for any Social Security benefits at all. Therefore, the designation of fully insured correctly reflects a worker's eligibility for comprehensive benefits upon reaching the threshold of 40 quarters of coverage.