What the Social Security Statement shows you
Your Social Security Statement is a record of your earnings history and an estimate of the benefits you may receive. You can view it anytime through your personal account on the Social Security Administration website. The statement shows your lifetime earnings record, how much you have paid into Social Security, and what your monthly benefit might be at different ages — typically at 62, full retirement age, and 70.
The statement also displays your estimated survivor benefits (what your family members could receive if you die) and your estimated disability benefit (what you could receive if you become unable to work). These estimates are based on your current earnings record and assume you continue working until the age shown.
Key Takeaways
- You create a personal account at ssa.gov using your email, Social Security number, and identity verification to view your statement anytime.
- Your earnings record on the statement should be checked for errors, since mistakes can lower your future benefits and are easier to correct now than later.
- The benefit estimates shown assume you continue working at your current earnings level until the age listed, so they may change if your income changes.
- You can download your statement as a PDF or print it directly from your account for your records.
Creating your personal account on ssa.gov
Go to ssa.gov and look for the "Sign In" button in the upper right. Select "Create an account" if you do not already have one. You will need your email address, Social Security number, and a phone number where you can receive a text or call.
Social Security will send you a verification code by text or phone call. Enter that code to confirm your identity. You will then create a username and password for your account. After that, you can sign in anytime to view your statement, check your earnings record, and see your benefit estimates.
If you have trouble with the online process, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for help creating your account. They can also mail you a paper statement if you prefer, though the online version updates more frequently.
Checking your earnings record for mistakes
Once you are signed in, your statement will show your year-by-year earnings record going back to when you started working. Look at each year and compare it to your own records — old pay stubs, W-2 forms, or tax returns. Employers report earnings to Social Security, and mistakes do happen: a digit might be entered wrong, earnings might be credited to the wrong person, or a job might be missing entirely.
If you spot an error, you have a limited window to report it. Social Security generally cannot correct earnings records more than three years, three months, and 15 days after the year in question. For example, if you worked in 2020 and notice an error in 2024, you are still within the window. If the error is older than that, you will need to provide documents like W-2 forms or tax returns to prove what you earned.
To report an error, sign into your account and use the "Message" feature to contact Social Security, or call 1-800-772-1213. Have your W-2 or tax return ready to show what the correct amount should be. Social Security will investigate and update your record if they confirm the mistake.
Understanding your benefit estimates
Your statement shows three benefit estimates: one if you claim at 62 (the earliest age), one at your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), and one at 70 (the latest age to claim). The amount increases with each age because you are giving Social Security more time to pay you back.
These estimates assume you keep working and earning at roughly your current level until the age shown. If your income changes — you get a raise, lose a job, or retire early — your actual benefit will be different. The estimates also assume you live to an average age; they do not predict how long you will actually live or account for other factors that might affect your decision about when to claim.
The statement also shows your estimated survivor benefits (what your spouse, children, or parents could receive if you die) and your estimated disability benefit (what you could receive if you become unable to work before retirement age). These are separate from your retirement benefit and have their own rules about when you can claim them.
Downloading and saving your statement
Once you are viewing your statement online, you can download it as a PDF by clicking the download button, usually near the top of the page. You can also print it directly to paper. Save a copy somewhere safe — your computer, a cloud storage service, or printed and filed at home. Having a copy is useful if you need to reference your earnings record later or if you want to compare it to a future statement to see how your record has changed.
You do not need to request a new statement every year. You can sign into your account anytime to see your current statement, which updates once a year in the fall. If you make a major life change — a big raise, a period of no work, or a job change — you can check your account a few months later to see if your record has been updated.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forget your password, use the "Forgot username or password?" link on the sign-in page. Social Security will send you a reset link by email. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create your account, or if you are having other technical problems, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for help.
If you have never created an online account and do not want to, you can request a paper statement by mail. Call Social Security at the number above or visit your local Social Security office. A paper statement takes longer to arrive and is not updated as often as the online version, but it is an option if you prefer not to use the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does my statement update?
Your online statement updates once a year, usually in the fall. If you have a major earnings change — a new job, a raise, or a period without work — it can take a few months for that to show up in your record, since employers report earnings to Social Security on a schedule.
Can I see my statement if I am not yet 62?
Yes. You can create an account and view your statement at any age if you have a Social Security number. Your statement will show your earnings record and estimates for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, even if you are decades away from claiming.
What if I see earnings I do not recognize?
Report it to Social Security right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 or use the message feature in your account. Provide your W-2 or tax return to show what you actually earned. Social Security will investigate and correct the record if the earnings were reported under your number by mistake.
Do I need to do anything with my statement once I view it?
No action is required just from viewing it. Check it for errors and save a copy for your records. If you spot mistakes, report them. Otherwise, you can simply review it periodically to track your earnings history and see how your benefit estimates change over time.