What benefits are available to those wages earners who were not contributors, e.g. teachers and others who have not contributed 40 quarters?
Some people don’t need 40 quarters, although most do to get retirement benefits. People without enough quarters may be able to get benefits as spouses or widows, but such benefits are reduced if the otherwise eligible person is getting a pension based on non-covered employment (such as state or local employees in some jurisdictions). Also, public pensions for employees not covered by Social Security are generally more generous to take account of the fact that the pension is a substitute for both Social Security and a supplemental pension.
