Reviewing your estimated Social Security benefits is a good practice that can help you plan for your retirement and correct errors.
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What is the Social Security Benefits Statement?
Social Security Administration keeps a database of your earnings tracked by your Social Security number. You are able to see your earnings records and work credits through the Social Security Statement which is available to everyone 25 years and over.
Find Your Estimated Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Statement also provides an estimate of the benefits you’ll receive once you’ve reached retirement age.
SSA sends out the statements before your birthdays during 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 years. For those age 60 until retirement, the SSA will send out statements every year.
You can also go online to get a copy of your statement or view it online. Go to www.ssa.gov/mystatement/ and open an account with Social Security to view your statement.
SSA no longer mails paper Social Security statements to most people under age 60. Younger workers who want to check their earnings history or taxes paid need to create an account on the website to obtain their statement online.
Check Your Earnings
After accessing your SSA statement, check the records to make sure your earning years are reflected correctly. You can verify the information by reviewing your paystubs or income tax filings.
Check the math and make sure your earnings are recorded accurately. Errors are possible so look closely.
Verify Information
- the Social Security number noted on your earnings statement is indeed your own.
- the earned income amounts listed on the agency’s records mesh with your records of earnings as listed on your income tax forms
