Where to check your Social Security benefits

You can check your Social Security benefits through your personal account on the Social Security Administration website, by calling Social Security directly, or by visiting a local office in person. 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 use my Social Security, you need to create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need a valid email address and a way to verify your identity, either through a one-time code sent to your phone or through ID.me, a third-party identity verification service. Once you are logged in, your benefit information updates regularly and you can check it anytime.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning on weekdays. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person; find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your benefit amount and payment history anytime without calling.
  • You will need to verify your identity using either a phone-based code or the ID.me service to set up your account.
  • Call 1-800-772-1213 if you do not have internet access or need to speak with someone; early weekday mornings have shorter wait times.
  • Your my Social Security account shows your earnings record, which you should review 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, the date your payments started, and your payment history for the past 12 months. You can see the exact date and amount of each deposit, which is useful if you need to track a missing payment or confirm a recent change.

The account also shows your earnings record — the income Social Security has on file for you going back to when you started working. This is critical to review because Social Security uses your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your benefit. If your record contains errors, missing years, or income credited to the wrong year, your benefit amount could be lower than it should be. If you spot an error, you can report it through your account or by calling Social Security.

You can also see your Statement of Earnings, which is a detailed breakdown of your work history and the taxes you paid into Social Security and Medicare over your lifetime. This document is sometimes needed when you apply for other benefits or when you need proof of your work history.

Setting up your my Social Security account

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will be asked for your email address, Social Security number, date of birth, and phone number. Social Security will then send you a one-time code to verify your phone number — enter that code to continue.

Next, you will choose a password and answer security questions. After that, you will be asked to verify your identity. You have two options: receive a one-time code by text or phone call, or use ID.me. The ID.me route is faster if you have a state ID or driver's license handy, because it can verify you in minutes. If you choose the phone code option, Social Security will send the code immediately and you enter it to finish setup.

Once your account is active, you can log in anytime to check your benefits. Social Security recommends saving your login information securely and not sharing your password with anyone, including Social Security staff — they will never ask for your password.

Checking benefits if you are not yet receiving them

If you have not started receiving Social Security yet but want to see what your future benefit might be, you can view an estimate in your my Social Security account. This estimate assumes you will continue working at your current rate until your full retirement age. The estimate updates each year after Social Security processes your tax return.

Keep in mind that this is an estimate only. Your actual benefit will depend on when you claim — claiming at 62 gives you a smaller monthly amount than waiting until 67 or 70. Your account does not show different scenarios for different claim ages, so if you want to compare those options, you will need to call Social Security or visit an office.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the login page and Social Security will send you a reset link to your email. If you cannot verify your identity during account creation, you may need to call 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office in person. Social Security staff can help you set up your account or retrieve information without one.

If your account is locked after multiple failed login attempts, wait 24 hours before trying again. If you are still having trouble, call Social Security. They can also help if your phone number or email address has changed and you cannot receive verification codes.

Understanding your payment schedule

Social Security payments are deposited on the same day each month, based on your birth date. If you were born between the 1st and 10th of the month, you are paid on the second Wednesday. If born between the 11th and 20th, you are paid on the third Wednesday. If born between the 21st and 31st, you are paid on the fourth Wednesday. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are paid on the first of the month.

Your my Social Security account shows your next scheduled payment date. If a payment is late or missing, check your account first to confirm the date it was supposed to arrive. If it has been more than three business days past the scheduled date, call Social Security to report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Social Security account secure?

Yes. The site uses encryption and requires identity verification before you can create an account. Social Security staff will never contact you asking for your password or to verify your account information. If someone claims to be from Social Security and asks for personal details, hang up — it is a scam.

Can I check someone else's benefits?

No. You can only view your own account. If you are a representative payee managing benefits for someone else, you may have access to their information, but you must set that up separately with Social Security. Call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about representative payee access.

How often does my benefit amount change?

Your benefit amount changes once a year when Social Security applies the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in January. It can also change if you return to work and earn above the earnings limit, or if you have a life event like a divorce. Your account will show the new amount after any change takes effect.

What if I see an error in my earnings record?

Report it to Social Security as soon as you find it. You can report errors through your my Social Security account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting an office. Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and tax records if you have them. Social Security will investigate and correct the record if the error is confirmed.

Can I check my benefits on my phone?

Yes. The my Social Security website works on phones and tablets. You can also download the official Social Security mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to check your benefits on the go.