Where to check your Social Security benefits

You can see your Social Security benefits through your personal account on the Social Security Administration website, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. The online account — called my Social Security — is the fastest route and shows your current benefit amount, payment history, and earnings record without waiting on hold.

To create a my Social Security account, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will need an email address, a password, and answers to security questions based on your credit history. The setup takes about 10 minutes. Once you log in, your dashboard displays your monthly benefit amount, the date your payments started, and a record of every deposit to your bank account.

If you do not want to set up an online account, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). Wait times are typically shortest early in the morning on weekdays. A representative can tell you your current benefit amount and answer questions about your account over the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to view your benefit amount, payment history, and earnings record anytime without calling.
  • Your online account shows exactly when your payments post to your bank account and flags any changes to your benefit amount.
  • If you receive benefits but have not created an account yet, you can still call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your current payment amount.
  • The earnings record in your account shows what Social Security has on file about your work history — review it for errors that could lower your future benefits.

What information you will see in your account

Your my Social Security account displays your current monthly benefit amount at the top of the dashboard. Below that, you will see a payment history showing every deposit made to your bank account, including the date and amount. This history goes back several years and helps you spot missing or incorrect payments immediately.

The account also contains your earnings record — a year-by-year breakdown of wages Social Security has recorded from your employers. This is critical to review because Social Security uses your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your benefit. If your record shows missing years or amounts that seem too low, you can request a correction by filing a form SSA-7008 (Statement Regarding Your Earnings Record) at your local Social Security office or by mail.

You can also download a Social Security Statement from your account, which is a formal document showing your estimated retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. This statement is useful if you need to show proof of your benefit amount to a landlord, lender, or government program.

How to update your account information

If your address, phone number, or bank account changes, you can update some information directly in your my Social Security account. Log in, go to "Personal Information," and change what applies. Changes to your address or phone number take effect immediately.

If you need to change your bank account for benefit deposits, you can do this online through my Social Security, but Social Security recommends calling 1-800-772-1213 to make the change over the phone instead. A representative can confirm the new account details with you and ensure the switch happens correctly. Changes to your bank account typically take one to two payment cycles to go into effect.

Some changes — such as reporting a change in your living situation, work status, or family composition — require you to contact Social Security directly by phone or in person. Call 1-800-772-1213 to report these changes, or visit your local office. Reporting changes promptly prevents overpayments that you would have to repay later.

Checking your benefits if you are not yet receiving payments

If you have not started receiving Social Security yet but want to see what your future benefit might be, you can create a my Social Security account and view an estimate. Your account shows a projected retirement benefit based on your current earnings record and assumes you will continue working until your full retirement age.

Keep in mind that this estimate changes each year as you earn more wages. The estimate also assumes you will not claim benefits early (which reduces your monthly amount) or delay claiming past your full retirement age (which increases it). For a more detailed breakdown of how your benefit changes based on when you claim, use the Retirement Estimator tool on ssa.gov, which lets you enter different claiming ages and see the result.

What to do if you spot an error

If your payment history shows a missing deposit, an amount that does not match what you expected, or an earnings record that looks wrong, contact Social Security right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain what you see. Have your Social Security number and account details ready.

For earnings record errors, Social Security will ask you to file form SSA-7008 and provide documentation — usually W-2s or tax returns from the years in question. You can mail the form and documents to your local Social Security office or bring them in person. Social Security typically investigates earnings disputes within 30 days, though complex cases can take longer.

If a payment is genuinely missing from your account, Social Security can trace it. Deposits sometimes take longer than expected if your bank is processing them slowly, so confirm with your bank first that the money has not arrived there. If your bank confirms no deposit, Social Security can investigate and reissue the payment if needed.

Accessing your account on a mobile device

The my Social Security account works on phones and tablets through a web browser — there is no separate app. Open your phone's browser, go to ssa.gov/myaccount, and log in with your username and password. The site is designed to work on small screens, so all the same information is available whether you use a computer or phone.

If you have trouble logging in on your phone, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again. If you still cannot access your account, call 1-800-772-1213 and a representative can help you troubleshoot or answer your questions over the phone instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does my benefit amount change?

Your benefit amount changes once a year if there is a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Social Security announces the new amount in October, and it takes effect in December. You will see the new amount in your my Social Security account before your first payment at the higher rate. Your benefit can also change if you report a change in your work status or living situation.

Can I see my benefit information if I do not have internet access?

Yes. Call 1-800-772-1213 and a representative will tell you your current benefit amount, payment history, and answer questions about your account. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person — find the address at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card or other ID.

What if I forgot my my Social Security password?

Click "Forgot username or password?" on the login page at ssa.gov/myaccount. Social Security will send a reset link to your email address. If you cannot access your email, call 1-800-772-1213 and a representative can help you regain access to your account.

Does checking my benefits online affect my payments?

No. Logging into your my Social Security account and viewing your information does not change your benefit amount or payment schedule in any way. You can check as often as you want without any effect on your account.