How to check your Social Security account online
The fastest way to see your Social Security information is through my Social Security, the official account portal run by the Social Security Administration. You create a username and password, answer security questions, and log in to view your earnings record, benefit estimates, and payment history.
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount to start. You will need a valid email address and a phone number where Social Security can reach you if there is a problem with your account. The site will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your credit history or by uploading a photo ID and taking a selfie. This usually takes a few minutes.
Once you are logged in, you can see how much you have earned each year, check whether Social Security has the right information about your work history, and get an estimate of what your benefits might be at different ages. You can also see the status of any application you have submitted and download a benefit verification letter if you need proof of your benefits for a landlord, lender, or government program.
Key Takeaways
- Create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount using your email and phone number to view your earnings record and benefit estimates.
- Your earnings record shows what Social Security has on file for every year you worked, and you should check it for mistakes before you turn 60.
- If you find an error in your earnings record, contact Social Security with pay stubs or tax returns as proof and ask them to correct it.
- You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office in person if you do not want to create an online account.
What information you can see in your account
Your my Social Security account shows your earnings record — a year-by-year breakdown of the wages Social Security has recorded for you. This is the number Social Security uses to calculate your benefits, so it needs to be correct. The record shows how much you earned each year, how much you paid in Social Security taxes, and whether Social Security has your name and date of birth right.
The account also displays a benefit estimate based on your current earnings record. This estimate shows roughly how much you could receive per month if you start benefits at age 62, at your full retirement age (which depends on your birth year), or at age 70. These are estimates only — your actual benefit will depend on your final earnings record and the age you choose to start.
If you have already started receiving benefits, your account shows your current monthly payment amount, your payment history for the past 12 months, and the date your next payment is scheduled. You can also see any representative payee information if someone else manages your benefits on your behalf.
Checking for errors in your earnings record
Mistakes in your earnings record happen — a name change that was not reported, wages credited to the wrong Social Security number, or a year of work that Social Security never received from your employer. These errors can lower your benefits, sometimes by hundreds of dollars per month. That is why you should check your record at least once every few years, and definitely before you turn 60.
When you log into my Social Security, look at each year's earnings. If you see a year where you worked but Social Security shows zero earnings, or if the amount is much lower than you remember, that is a red flag. Pull out your tax returns or pay stubs from that year to compare. If Social Security's number does not match what you earned, you have found an error.
To report an error, contact Social Security with your proof. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or mail in a written request with copies of your pay stubs or tax returns. Social Security will investigate and correct the record if your proof is solid. This process usually takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on how far back the error goes and how much proof you have.
Other ways to check your Social Security information
If you do not want to create an online account, you can still see your information by phone or in person. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with a representative. They can tell you your earnings record, answer questions about your benefits, and help you report errors. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week and early in the month, so call in the afternoon or on a Wednesday or Thursday if you can.
You can also visit a Social Security office in person. Find your local office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it. An employee there can print out your earnings record, explain what it means, and help you file a correction if you found an error. Some offices take walk-ins, but many now require you to make an appointment first.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, Social Security has a TTY number: 1-800-325-0778. If you speak a language other than English, interpreters are available by phone at most offices.
Understanding your benefit estimate
The benefit estimate in your my Social Security account shows three different amounts: what you could get if you start at 62, at your full retirement age, and at 70. These numbers are based on your earnings record as of the date you log in, so they change if you keep working and earning more.
The estimate assumes you will live to an average age and that you will not earn any more money after the year you check. In reality, if you keep working, your benefits will be higher because Social Security counts your recent years of earnings. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67 or later — not 65. The estimate will tell you what your full retirement age is.
These are rough numbers meant to help you plan. Your actual benefit will be calculated when you file, and it will be based on your final earnings record at that time. If you have questions about what the estimate means or whether it looks right, call Social Security and ask to speak with someone who can walk you through it.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you try to create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount and the system will not let you verify your identity, you have a few options. The most common reason is that Social Security does not have enough information about you on file — this happens to people who have never worked, who are very young, or who are new to the country.
You can still get your information by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting an office in person. Bring your Social Security card, a photo ID, and proof of your address (a utility bill or lease). A representative can print your earnings record and answer your questions without an online account.
If you have a my Social Security account but forgot your password, use the "Forgot username or password?" link on the login page. Social Security will send you a reset link to your email. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create the account, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to help you regain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my Social Security earnings record?
You should check it at least once every three years, and definitely before you turn 60. The sooner you catch an error, the easier it is for Social Security to fix it. If you work in multiple jobs or are self-employed, check it every year because mistakes are more common when you have complex earnings.
Can I correct my earnings record if I worked under a different name?
Yes. If you changed your name because of marriage, divorce, or another reason, Social Security may have split your earnings between your old name and your new name. Contact Social Security with proof of the name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) and they will combine your records.
What if Social Security says I did not work a year when I know I did?
Contact Social Security with pay stubs, tax returns, or a W-2 from that year. If your employer never reported your wages, Social Security may need you to ask your employer for proof. This can take time, but Social Security will add the earnings to your record once they have documentation.
Does checking my earnings record affect my benefits?
No. Looking at your account, checking your earnings record, or getting a benefit estimate does not change anything about your benefits or your may be able to access. You can check as often as you want without any penalty.
Can I check someone else's Social Security information?
Only if you are their representative payee or have legal authority to manage their benefits. Otherwise, Social Security will not show you another person's information. If you are caring for an elderly parent or disabled relative, ask Social Security about becoming their representative payee.