How long must an individual be employed to earn fully insured status?

To earn fully insured status under the Social Security system, an individual must accumulate at least 40 work credits, which typically equates to about 10 years of work. Each year of employment can provide up to four work credits based on earnings, and individuals need to reach a total of 40 credits to achieve this status. Therefore, the requirement of about 10 years of employment reflects this system accurately. Attaining fully insured status is crucial as it ensures eligibility for various Social Security benefits, including retirement and disability benefits.

In contrast, the other options either overstate or understate the duration required to achieve fully insured status. Fifteen years or twenty years of continuous work exceeds the actual requirement of 10 years, while approximately five years falls short of what is needed to accumulate the necessary credits.