How (and Why) to Check Your Social Security Statement at SSA.gov

Your Social Security benefits will likely play an important role in your retirement income strategy. Yet many people wait until they’re close to retirement to review their benefits—and by then, it may be too late to correct errors. The good news? You can check your personalized statement anytime by creating a my Social Security account at SSA.gov.

How to Access Your Statement

1. Visit SSA.gov and select “my Social Security”.

2. Create an account or log in to your existing account. You’ll need to verify your identity, often by answering questions from your credit report.

3. Once logged in, you can view, download, or print your statement.

Why You Should Check Your Statement

• Verify Your Earnings Record: Your benefits are based on your lifetime earnings. If wages are missing or incorrect, your future benefit could be reduced.

• Estimate Future Benefits: The statement provides estimates at various claiming ages (62, Full Retirement Age, and 70), helping you plan your retirement income.

• Understand Your Eligibility: It shows whether you’ve earned enough credits for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits.

• Spot Errors Early: Correcting earnings history is much easier soon after the error occurs.

How Often to Review

Check at least once per year—ideally after your prior year’s wages have been reported to the SSA, usually by mid-year. You should also review it after any major career change, self-employment income, or if you suspect reporting errors.

What to Look For

• Accuracy of your name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

• Correct annual earnings history.

• Updated benefit estimates.

• Any unusual activity or discrepancies.

Regularly reviewing your Social Security statement is a simple but important habit. By staying proactive, you can help ensure your earnings are accurately recorded and that you have the information you need to make informed retirement decisions.

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