You can check your Social Security account through my Social Security, the official online portal, or by calling Social Security directly
The fastest way to see your account is through my Social Security, a free website run by the Social Security Administration. You create a login, and then you can view your earnings record, see what benefits you're may have access to to, and check the status of any claims you've filed. If you don't want to set up an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to a representative, though wait times are often long.
Both routes show you the same information: how much you've earned over your working life, how much your monthly benefit would be at different ages, and whether you're on track to receive benefits. The online account is usually faster and available 24 hours a day. The phone line is better if you have questions that need a person's answer or if you're not comfortable creating an online account.
Key Takeaways
- Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your earnings history and estimated benefit amount without calling or visiting an office.
- You will need an email address, a Social Security number, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or driver's license number — to set up your account.
- Your earnings record shows what Social Security has on file for every year you worked, and you should check it for errors before you turn 60.
- If you spot a mistake in your earnings, you have a limited time to correct it, so contact Social Security as soon as you notice the error.
- You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to someone, though you may wait 30 minutes or longer depending on the time of day and season.
Setting Up Your my Social Security Account
Go to ssa.gov and look for the "my Social Security" link on the homepage. Click it and select "Create an account." You'll need an email address you check regularly — Social Security uses it to send you important notices and password reset links. Have your Social Security number ready.
Social Security will ask you to verify your identity before you can see your account. The most common method is to answer questions about your credit history — things like which bank issued a loan you took out, or which address you lived at during a certain year. If you don't have enough credit history or prefer not to answer those questions, Social Security can verify you using your phone number or driver's license number instead. The process takes a few minutes.
Once you're verified, you can log in anytime. Your account stays active as long as you use it at least once every 12 months. If you don't log in for a year, Social Security locks your account for security, but you can unlock it by verifying your identity again.
What Information You'll See in Your Account
Your earnings record is the core of what Social Security has on file about you. It shows every year you worked and how much you earned in each year, going back to when you started working. Social Security uses this record to calculate your benefit amount. Check it carefully — if your employer reported your earnings wrong, or if earnings are missing entirely, your benefit could be lower than it should be.
Your account also shows your estimated benefit amount at different ages. Social Security calculates what you would receive per month if you claimed at 62, at your full retirement age (which depends on your birth year), and at 70. These are estimates based on your current earnings record and the assumption that you'll keep working until you claim. The actual amount may be different depending on how much longer you work and when you actually claim.
If you've already filed for benefits or are receiving them, your account shows the status of your claim and your current payment amount. You can also see your payment history — when payments were sent and how much they were for.
Checking Your Earnings Record for Mistakes
Your earnings record is only as good as what your employers reported to Social Security. Mistakes happen: a name change that wasn't updated, earnings reported under the wrong Social Security number, or a year of work that never made it into the system. These errors directly reduce your benefit, so it's worth checking your record carefully.
Look at each year and ask yourself: Did I work that year? Does the amount match what you remember earning or what you see on old tax returns? If something is wrong, contact Social Security right away. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit a local Social Security office, or use the message feature in your my Social Security account to report the error.
Social Security has a time limit for correcting earnings mistakes. Generally, you must report an error within three years, three months, and 15 days of the year the earnings were reported. After that window closes, the earnings are locked in. This is why checking your record before you turn 60 is important — it gives you time to fix problems before they affect your benefit.
Using the Phone Line if You Don't Want to Go Online
Call 1-800-772-1213 to reach Social Security by phone. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times vary widely depending on when you call. Early morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday is usually faster than late afternoon or Friday. During tax season (January through April) and around the start of the year, wait times are longer.
When you call, have your Social Security number ready. A representative can tell you your earnings record, your estimated benefit, and answer questions about how benefits work. They can also help you report an error in your earnings or file a claim. If you need to do something complex, the phone line is often better than trying to navigate the website on your own.
If you can't reach someone after waiting, you can request a callback. Social Security will call you back during business hours on a day you choose, so you don't have to sit on hold.
Visiting a Social Security Office in Person
You can also walk into a local Social Security office to check your account or ask questions. Find your nearest office at ssa.gov by entering your zip code. Some offices require you to make an appointment ahead of time; others take walk-ins. Call ahead to check what your local office does.
Going in person takes longer than calling or using the website, but it can be helpful if you have complicated questions or if you're more comfortable talking to someone face-to-face. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID. If you're reporting an earnings error, bring documents that show what you actually earned — old tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs.
What to Do If You Find an Error
If your earnings record shows missing years, wrong amounts, or earnings under a different name, report it as soon as you find it. The sooner you report it, the more time Social Security has to investigate and fix it before the three-year window closes.
Contact Social Security through whichever method is easiest for you: call 1-800-772-1213, use the message feature in your my Social Security account, or visit an office in person. Have documents ready that show what you actually earned — W-2s, tax returns, or pay stubs. Social Security will investigate the error and contact your employer if needed. The process can take several months, so don't wait until you're about to claim benefits to report a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create a my Social Security account to check my earnings?
No. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office in person to see your earnings record without creating an account. The online account is just faster and available anytime. If you're not comfortable with online accounts, the phone line works fine.
What if I can't remember my password?
Click "Forgot password?" on the my Social Security login page. Social Security will send a reset link to your email address. If you can't access your email, you can verify your identity again using the same method you used when you created your account — credit history questions, phone number, or driver's license number.
Can I check someone else's Social Security account?
No. Each person's account is private. If you're managing finances for an aging parent or family member, they need to create their own account or authorize you in writing. Social Security can discuss an account only with the person it belongs to, unless they've given written permission.
How often should I check my earnings record?
Check it at least once every few years, and definitely before you turn 60. This gives you time to catch and fix errors before they affect your benefit. After you claim benefits, you can check less often unless you think something is wrong.
What if my earnings record shows zero for a year I know I worked?
Contact Social Security immediately. Bring proof of your earnings — W-2s, tax returns, or pay stubs — and ask them to investigate. Your employer may have failed to report your earnings, or they may have reported them under the wrong Social Security number. Social Security can work with your employer to correct it.