What to verify about your Social Security account right now

A Social Security checklist for 2026 means reviewing the record the government holds about you — your earnings history, your name and address, any benefits you're receiving, and whether you've reported changes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not automatically catch errors, and mistakes in your file can reduce your benefits or delay payments. Most of what you need to check takes less than an hour and requires only your Social Security number and a way to prove who you are.

You can view your account online through my Social Security, the SSA's official portal at ssa.gov. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office. The checklist below covers the things that matter most and the order in which to check them.

Key Takeaways

  • Create or log into your my Social Security account to see your earnings record, which determines how much you will receive when you claim benefits.
  • Check that your name, address, and phone number are correct in the SSA's file, because outdated contact information delays notices about changes to your benefits.
  • If you receive benefits now, verify the monthly amount matches what you expect and report any changes to your household or work status within 30 days.
  • Review your earnings record for gaps or errors, especially if you worked under a different name or had periods of self-employment.
  • If you have not claimed benefits yet, check your projected benefit amount at different ages (62, 67, 70) to understand how waiting affects your payment.

Step 1: Create or access your my Social Security account

Go to ssa.gov and select "Create an account" or "Sign in" if you already have one. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number, U.S. mailing address, or driver's license number. The verification step takes a few minutes and happens once.

Once you are logged in, you can see your earnings record, check any benefits you are receiving, and view your projected benefit amount if you have not claimed yet. This is the fastest way to spot problems. If you cannot create an account online, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for help, or visit your local Social Security office.

Step 2: Verify your personal information is correct

In your my Social Security account, check that your name, date of birth, address, and phone number match what you have on file with other government agencies — your driver's license, tax returns, or passport. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, the SSA needs to know. A mismatch can cause mail to go to the wrong address and delays in processing changes to your benefits.

If anything is wrong, you can update your address and phone number directly in my Social Security. For name changes or corrections to your date of birth, you will need to visit a local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 with proof of the change — usually a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order. Do this before the end of 2025 if possible, so corrections are in place before 2026.

Step 3: Review your earnings record for errors

Your earnings record is the list of wages the SSA has on file for every year you worked. This record determines how much you will receive in benefits. Errors here — missing years, wages recorded under the wrong name, or amounts that do not match your tax returns — can permanently reduce your benefit amount.

In my Social Security, select "Earnings Record" and compare each year to your tax returns or W-2s. If you were self-employed, check that your self-employment income appears. If you see a gap or a number that looks wrong, note the year and the amount. You have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year in which you earned the wages to report an error to the SSA. For 2022 wages, that deadline is April 15, 2026. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office with your tax return or W-2 to file a correction.

Step 4: Check your current benefits (if you are receiving them)

If you are already receiving Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, log into my Social Security and verify the monthly amount is what you expect. The amount should match your last benefit statement or your bank deposit. If it has changed and you did not request a change, contact the SSA immediately.

You are also required to report certain changes within 30 days: if you return to work and earn above a certain amount (the limit changes yearly), if your living situation changes, if you marry or divorce, or if a dependent child is no longer in your care. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that the SSA will ask you to repay. If your situation has changed, call 1-800-772-1213 or report it through my Social Security.

Step 5: Check your projected benefit amount (if you have not claimed yet)

If you have not claimed benefits, my Social Security shows your projected monthly payment at three key ages: 62 (earliest), your full retirement age (between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year), and 70 (latest). The amount grows significantly if you wait — roughly 8 percent per year between your full retirement age and 70. Understanding these numbers helps you decide when to claim.

Keep in mind that these projections assume you continue to work and earn as you have in the past. If your work situation changes — you retire early, earn much less, or earn much more — your projected amount will change. Check this projection every year or two, especially as you get closer to retirement age.

Step 6: Look for any unclaimed benefits or accounts

If a family member has passed away, you may be may have access to to survivor benefits. If you became disabled before your full retirement age, you may be may have access to to disability benefits. The SSA does not automatically send you money for benefits you have not claimed — you have to ask.

If you think you might be may have access to to benefits you have not claimed, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office. Bring documents that prove your relationship to the person who worked (if you are claiming as a spouse or child) and proof of any disability or death. There are time limits on how far back you can claim some benefits, so do not delay if you think you are may have access to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I find an error in my earnings record?

Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office with your tax return or W-2 showing the correct amount. You have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year you earned the wages to report it. For 2022 wages, the deadline is April 15, 2026.

Can I update my address or phone number without visiting an office?

Yes, you can update your address and phone number directly in my Social Security if you have an account. For other changes like name corrections, you will need to visit an office or call 1-800-772-1213 with proof of the change.

What happens if I do not report a change in my situation?

If you are receiving benefits and do not report changes like returning to work or a change in living situation within 30 days, the SSA may overpay you. You will be asked to repay the overpayment, which can be deducted from future benefits.

How often should I check my Social Security account?

The SSA recommends checking your account at least once a year, especially if you are working or receiving benefits. If your situation changes — you marry, divorce, retire, or return to work — check it within 30 days of the change.

What if I cannot create an online account?

Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Staff can help you verify your identity over the phone or in person and show you the same information that appears in my Social Security.