Sometimes this column can get into some complicated or esoteric Social Security rules or circumstances. But it dawned on me that many of the emails I get from readers are asking questions about some pretty basic Social Security stuff. So this week’s column will be like a refresher course in Social Security. I will just go over the basic rules for various kinds of Social Security benefits. But I will only scratch the surface of these basic rules. For more information, you’ll need to read my little Social Security guidebook. Instructions for getting that book are at the end of this column. Retirement Benefits To get Social Security retirement benefits, you must be “insured,” and you must be at least 62 years old. Being insured means you have a minimum of 40 credits (sometimes called “quarters”). Because you can only earn four credits per year, that means you must have …