When you are self-employed, whether part-time or full-time, you can ensure that you will be covered by social security and will be entitled to future benefits. You do this by properly keeping track of your self-employment earnings, completing and filing Schedule SE with your annual income tax return, and making the necessary payments. If you have a low level of self-employment earnings, you can use an optional method to meet the requirements for obtaining the necessary credits for social security coverage.