• Self-employed people may be eligible for Social Security.elderly lady image by pixelcarpenter from Fotolia.com
  
  A self-employed person is a person who makes over $400/year from operating a trade, business, or profession, according to the Social Security Administration's website. Self-employed persons must report their earnings directly to the IRS and pay Social Security taxes on them. As of 2010, the Social Security tax rate is 15.3 percent on all income up to $106,800 and 2.9 percent on all earnings beyond this amount. You need 40 work credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. If you earn more than $4,480/year, you earn 4 credits. Thus, after 10 years of self-employment, you qualify for benefits.
  
  

Retirement Benefits

• If you were born after 1929, you need 40 work credits to receive retirement benefits. A self-employed person who has worked for 10 years is entitled to this benefit. Retirement benefits are what are traditionally considered "Social Security". You receive a check for a fixed amount each month after your 62nd birthday. The amount you receive is based upon your age and how much you have paid into the system while working.
  
  

Disability Benefits

• Disability benefits are monies paid to people who are unable to work due to disability. The Social Security Administration pays a monthly amount to these people. Self-employed people may be eligible for these benefits, depending upon how long they worked prior to the onset of the disability and how old they are.
  
  

Survivor Benefits

• In the event of your death, your spouse and children may be eligible for survivor benefits, a monthly amount determined by how long you worked prior to your death. The families of self-employed people who worked for over 10 years are eligible for this benefit.