Getting Your Social Security 1099 Form

How to request your SSA 1099-SSA or 1099-MISC

You can request your Social Security 1099 form in three ways: online through your my Social Security account, by phone to the Social Security Administration, or by mail. The fastest route is your my Social Security account if you have one set up — you can view and read your 1099 when ready without waiting. If you do not have an online account, calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 takes about 10 to 15 minutes and they will mail the form to you. Mailing a written request takes longer but works if you prefer not to call or use the internet.

Social Security sends 1099 forms to all beneficiaries who received payments during the tax year by January 31 of the following year. If you did not receive one by early February, you can request a replacement copy using any of these three methods. The form you receive depends on what you were paid for: a 1099-SSA if you received retirement, survivor, or disability benefits, or a 1099-MISC if you received Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Key Takeaways

• Your my Social Security account lets you read your 1099 form when ready without calling or waiting for mail.
• If you do not have an online account, call 1-800-772-1213 during business hours and Social Security will mail the form to you within one to two weeks.
• Social Security mails 1099 forms to all beneficiaries by January 31, so if you did not receive one by early February, request a replacement.
• You will receive a 1099-SSA for retirement, survivor, or disability benefits, or a 1099-MISC for Supplemental Security Income.

Setting up your my Social Security account to view your 1099 online

Creating a my Social Security account takes about 5 to 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will need to answer security questions based on your credit history or provide a phone number for a one-time code. Once your account is active, you can log in anytime to view your 1099, check your earnings record, and see your benefit payment history.

After you log in, look for a section labeled "Benefit Verification" or "Tax Information" — the exact wording varies by when your account was created. Your 1099 form will be listed there with the tax year. You can view it on screen or read it as a PDF to print or save. This method works year-round and does not depend on business hours or mail delivery times.

Calling Social Security to request your 1099 by phone

Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number ready. Tell the representative you need a replacement 1099 form or that you did not receive yours, and provide your current mailing address. They will confirm which form you need (1099-SSA or 1099-MISC) based on the type of benefits you receive.

The form will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. If you need it sooner, ask the representative if your local Social Security office can print a copy for you to pick up in person — some offices offer this service, though it varies by location. The phone line can be busy during peak times, so calling early in the morning or late in the week often means shorter wait times.

Mailing a written request to Social Security

Write a letter to your local Social Security office that includes your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, current mailing address, and the tax year you need the 1099 for. State clearly that you are requesting a replacement 1099 form. You can find your local office address at ssa.gov/locator by entering your zip code.

Mail your letter and allow two to three weeks for processing and delivery. This method works if you do not have internet access or prefer written communication, but it is slower than calling or using your online account. Keep a copy of your letter for your records.

What to do if you need your 1099 before January 31

Social Security does not issue 1099 forms before January 31 of the year following the tax year. If you need proof of your benefits for tax purposes before then, you can print a Benefit Verification Letter from your my Social Security account or request one by phone. This letter shows your benefit payments for the year and can be used for tax filing or other purposes that require proof of income.

Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a Benefit Verification Letter, or log into your my Social Security account and look for "Benefit Verification" or "Proof of Income" in the same section where your 1099 will appear after January 31. The letter is not a 1099 form, but it contains the same payment information and is often accepted by tax preparers and lenders as proof of Social Security income.

Correcting errors on your 1099 form

If your 1099 shows incorrect payment amounts, a wrong name, or a wrong Social Security number, contact Social Security when ready. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office in person. Bring your 1099 form and any records you have of your actual benefit payments. Social Security will investigate the error and issue a corrected form if needed.

Errors are usually caught during Social Security's internal review process, but mistakes do happen — especially if your name changed, you moved, or your account was flagged for review during the year. Corrected 1099 forms are mailed to you and also sent to the IRS, so filing your taxes with an incorrect form can cause delays or requests for more information from the IRS. Report errors as soon as you notice them.

Using your 1099 to file your taxes

Your 1099-SSA or 1099-MISC shows the total Social Security or SSI benefits you received during the tax year. You will report this amount on your federal tax return. Whether you actually owe tax on these benefits depends on your total income for the year and your filing status — Social Security benefits are taxable only if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds set by the IRS.

Give your 1099 form to your tax preparer, or if you file yourself, enter the amount shown in Box 5 (for 1099-SSA) or Box 3 (for 1099-MISC) into your tax software. Keep a copy of your 1099 with your tax records for at least three years in case the IRS asks questions about your reported income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my 1099 form before January 31?

No, Social Security does not issue 1099 forms before January 31. However, you can print a Benefit Verification Letter from your my Social Security account or request one by phone, which shows your benefit payments for the year and can be used for tax purposes until your 1099 arrives.

What if I lost my 1099 form?

Request a replacement using any of the three methods: your my Social Security account (fastest), phone at 1-800-772-1213, or mail to your local office. Social Security keeps records of all 1099 forms issued and can send you another copy at no cost.

Do I need a 1099 if I did not owe taxes on my Social Security benefits?

Yes, you should keep your 1099 form even if you did not owe tax. It is proof of your income for the year and may be needed for other purposes like explore for loans, housing information, or other programs that require proof of income.

What is the difference between a 1099-SSA and a 1099-MISC?

A 1099-SSA is for retirement, survivor, or disability benefits. A 1099-MISC is for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Social Security sends you whichever form matches the type of benefits you received during the tax year.

Can I get my 1099 form mailed to a different address?

Yes. When you request your 1099 by phone or mail, provide the address where you want it sent. If you use your my Social Security account, the form will be mailed to the address on file with Social Security — update your address in your account settings if it has changed.