A my Social Security account allows you to view your contributions to the Social Security program. You can also get a personalized estimate of your future Social Security payments in retirement. Periodically reviewing your Social Security record allows you to make sure your earnings are recorded correctly and include your estimated benefit in your retirement plans.
You can open a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Workers age 18 and older are eligible to create a my Social Security account. Be prepared to provide some personal information to verify your identity. When you open your account, you will be prompted to answer a series of multiple-choice questions that can include inquiries about financial products you own and previous addresses. You can also add extra security to your account by electing to use a one-time code received via text message or email each time you log in.
Here’s what you can do with a my Social Security account:
— Check your earnings record.
— See how much you have paid into Social Security.
— Get an estimate of your future Social Security payments.
— Find out how much you will qualify for if you become disabled.
— Determine what family members will receive if you die.
— Keep your account up to date by changing your address or direct deposit information.
— Request documentation, such as a replacement Social Security or Medicare card or benefit verification letter.
[READ: When to Expect Your Social Security Checks.]
Check Your Earnings Record
You can view a list of how much you earned during your career. “Workers should check their Social Security statement once a year to verify the wage amounts posted to their record are accurate,” says Nicole Tiggemann, a spokesperson for the Social Security Administration. You’ll want to compare the salary on your Social Security statement to your tax documents annually and take care to correct any mistakes so that all your contributions are counted and factored into your retirement benefit. “It’s the highest 35 years of covered earnings that count toward the benefit calculation,” said John Palmer, a Syracuse University professor emeritus and former public trustee for the Medicare and Social Security programs. If you don’t have at least 35 years of work listed, zeros are averaged into the final calculation.
[Read: How to Solve Social Security Problems Online, Over the Phone or In Person]
See How Much You Have Paid Into Social Security
Most workers pay 6.2% of their earnings into the Social Security system, and employers match this amount. You can find out how much both you and your employers have paid into Social Security and Medicare over your entire career using your my Social Security account.
Get an Estimate of Your Future Social Security Payments
The SSA provides an estimate of how much you will receive in retirement at your full retirement age, which is typically age 66 or 67, depending on your birth year. Your account will also list the amount you are likely to receive if you claim a reduced payment at age 62 and how much your payment could increase if you delay claiming until age 70. “In most situations it is advantageous to postpone because your benefit is higher at 70 than it is at 62,” says Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. The estimates assume that you will continue to earn your current salary until retirement and may differ if your earnings change.
Find Out How Much You Will Receive if You Become Disabled
Your Social Security statement lists the amount Social Security will pay you if you develop a severe physical or mental impairment that prevents you from working at the job you had before the disability began or at another position you’re qualified for. Benefit payments don’t start until six months after the disability began.
[RelatedA Guide to Social Security Disability]
Determine What Family Members Will Receive if You Die
Children of workers who are retired or disabled may also qualify for Social Security benefits. If you pass away in the coming year, your dependent children and a spouse caring for your children will receive a specific amount each month that is listed on your Social Security statement. There might be a cap on the total dollar amount your family is eligible for. Your spouse and minor child could also be eligible for a death benefit.
Keep Your Account Up to Date
Existing Social Security beneficiaries can use their my Social Security account to set up or change their direct deposit information for a bank or credit union account. You can also change your phone number and address after a move and obtain replacement tax forms. Registering for my Social Security prevents someone else from creating an account using your Social Security number and gaining access to your personal information. If you don’t want an account, you can block all electronic access to your Social Security information.
Request Documentation
A my Social Security account allows you to request a variety of documents, including a replacement Social Security or Medicare card and a benefit verification letter. “People can use my Social Security to view their Social Security statement, which provides estimates of their future retirement, disability and survivors benefits,” Tiggemann says. “Users may also download a copy of their Social Security statement to use with their financial advisor.”
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Why You Should Create a My Social Security Account originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 07/24/25: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
