Well I have to comment here.

All of my work credits for retirement SS, were saved and used when I retired. Nothing was lost. I had some breaks over the past 40 yrs, but the credits remained anyway. Some years I worked part-time and some full time. Some not at all, but I had more than enough to apply fully for SS at the proper time.
I often worked full time for 3/4 of the year and took summers off to be with my family, and travel.

I didn't work the last 4 or so years, because of an injury. My husband still has income, so I just waited until I reached 66 which is the new retirement for baby boomers in my age group. There was no penalty for this.

I never applied for disability because we really didn't need that income. (leg injury and I had to stand to work).
So I do see that "credits" can be confusing to some. I had more than 40 credits for my work history BTW.