FICA return

[Japtrupusz]

I worked full time for 9 years. I'm stay home mum. I heard when I reach retirement age, I won't be able to claim SS benefits as I need 10 years. What will happen with all my FICA money that I paid for all these years? Will I be able to get a refund? Thank you

[DoninGA]

No, you will not get a refund of the Social Security taxes paid.

See this Social Security publication for information - https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10035.pdf

How do you qualify for retirement benefits?
When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need to get retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work).
If you stop working before you have enough credits to qualify for benefits, the credits will remain on your Social Security record. If you return to work later, you can add more credits to qualify. We can’t pay any retirement benefits until you have the required number of credits.

[xmasbaby0]

AND...Remember, FICA was also paying for Medicare so that you will have Medicare health coverage when you are 65.  Although you are presently a stay at home parent, you may find that you want to go back to work someday--and you will only need one more year of work credits to qualify for Social Security and Medicare based on your own work record.