Finding your work history on Social Security.gov
Your work history on Social Security.gov appears in your Social Security Statement, which you can view by logging into your account at ssa.gov. The Statement shows your earnings record year by year, going back to when you first started paying into Social Security. You do not need to call or visit an office — the information is available online once you create a login.
The earnings record is the same data the Social Security Administration uses to calculate your future benefits. It includes every year you paid Social Security taxes, how much you earned each year, and how much you contributed. If you spot an error — a missing year, an employer name that is wrong, or earnings that look too low — you can report it directly through your account or by contacting Social Security.
Key Takeaways
- You view your work history by logging into your personal account at ssa.gov using your username, password, or sign-in.gov credentials.
- Your Social Security Statement lists your earnings year by year and shows how much you have paid into the system since you started working.
- Errors in your earnings record can lower your future benefits, so you should review it every few years and report mistakes within three years and three months of the year they occurred.
- If you do not have an online account, you can request a paper Statement by mail or view it through your my Social Security account once you set one up.
Creating or logging into your my Social Security account
To access your work history, you first need a my Social Security account. Go to ssa.gov and look for the "Sign In" button in the upper right corner. You can create a new account using your email address and a password, or you can use an existing sign-in.gov account if you have one from another federal agency.
During account setup, Social Security will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your personal history — things like previous addresses, loan amounts, or credit accounts. This step takes a few minutes and happens only once. After you create your account, you can log in anytime to view your Statement.
If you already have a my Social Security account but forgot your password, click "Forgot Username or Password?" on the sign-in page. Social Security will send you a link to reset it. If you have trouble logging in or creating an account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for help.
Where to find your earnings record in your Statement
Once you are logged in, your Social Security Statement appears on your dashboard. Look for a section called "Earnings Record" or "Your Earnings History." This section shows a table with years listed down the left side and your earnings for each year in the columns next to it.
The Statement displays your earnings under Social Security for the last several years — typically going back 15 to 20 years on the online version. If you need to see older years, you can request a complete earnings record by mail. The earnings shown are the amounts that Social Security counted toward your work record, which may be different from your gross pay if you worked for an employer that does not pay into Social Security.
Your Statement also shows an estimate of your future benefits at different ages — 62, full retirement age, and 70. These estimates are based on your current earnings record, so if there are errors in the record, the benefit amounts will be wrong too.
Checking for errors in your work history
Review your earnings record carefully, especially if you changed jobs frequently, worked for multiple employers in the same year, or had periods of self-employment. Common errors include a year with no earnings when you actually worked, earnings that are much lower than you remember, or an employer name that is misspelled or incomplete.
If you find an error, you have a limited window to report it. Social Security generally accepts corrections for up to three years and three months after the year in question. For example, if you find an error in your 2021 earnings, you should report it by March 31, 2025. After that deadline, correcting the record becomes much harder.
To report an error, contact Social Security directly. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or use the online message service in your my Social Security account. Have your pay stubs, W-2 forms, or tax returns ready to prove the correct amount. Social Security will investigate and update your record if the error is confirmed.
Requesting a complete earnings record by mail
The online Statement shows your recent earnings history, but if you need a full record going back to when you started working, you can request it by mail. This is useful if you are applying for benefits, disputing an error from many years ago, or need documentation for another reason.
To request a complete earnings record, log into your my Social Security account and use the message service to ask for it, or call 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will mail you a detailed printout of every year you have earnings on record. The record arrives in about two weeks.
What to do if you cannot access your account online
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to create an online account, you can still view your work history. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a Statement to be mailed to you. A representative can also read your earnings record to you over the phone, though this takes longer than looking it up yourself online.
You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring a photo ID and ask to see your earnings record. A representative will print it for you or discuss any errors you have noticed. To find your nearest office, use the office locator at ssa.gov.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778. If you speak a language other than English, Social Security can provide an interpreter over the phone at no cost — just let the representative know when you call.
Understanding what your earnings record means for your benefits
Social Security calculates your retirement, disability, or survivor benefits based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you have fewer than 35 years of work history, zeros are counted for the missing years, which lowers your benefit amount. This is why errors in your record matter — a missing year or an underreported amount directly reduces what you will receive.
Your full retirement age (when you can receive your full benefit amount) depends on the year you were born, not on your earnings record. But the size of your benefit does depend on your earnings. The higher your average earnings over your 35 highest years, the higher your benefit will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my work history if I have never created a Social Security account?
No, you must create a my Social Security account first. Go to ssa.gov, click "Sign In," and follow the steps to set up a new account. If you do not want to create an account, you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask Social Security to mail you a Statement or read your earnings record to you over the phone.
What if my name has changed since I started working?
Social Security links all your earnings to your Social Security number, not your name. If you changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or another reason, your old earnings are still on your record under your current number. Your Statement will show all your earnings regardless of what name you used when you earned them.
How far back does my online Statement go?
The online Statement typically shows your earnings for the last 15 to 20 years. If you need to see older years, request a complete earnings record by mail through your account or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The complete record goes back to when you first started paying into Social Security.
Can I download or print my earnings record?
Yes. Once you view your Statement online, you can print it directly from your browser or save it as a PDF file. This is useful if you need to keep a copy for your records or show it to someone else, like a financial advisor or a lawyer.
What happens if I find an error but I am past the three-year deadline?
Reporting an error after three years and three months is harder but not always impossible. Contact Social Security anyway and explain your situation. If you have strong evidence — like original pay stubs or W-2 forms — Social Security may still correct the record. Call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your options.