Where to find your job history on Social Security.gov
Your work history lives in your Social Security account, which you can view by logging into Social Security.gov with your username and password. Once logged in, click "Earnings Record" in the left menu. This page shows every job where you paid Social Security taxes, listed by year, along with how much you earned at each one and how much you contributed in taxes.
The earnings record goes back to 1951 or to when you first started working, whichever is more recent. Social Security updates it once a year, usually in March, after employers have reported W-2 forms to the IRS. If you worked in the current year, that income may not appear until the following spring.
You do not need to create a new account if you already have one. If you have never logged in before, you will need to set up a Social Security account using your email address, Social Security number, and identity verification through ID.me or similar services.
Key Takeaways
- Your earnings record on Social Security.gov shows every job where you paid Social Security taxes, organized by year with wage amounts.
- The record updates once per year in March after employers submit W-2 information to the IRS, so current-year earnings may not show until spring.
- You must log into your Social Security account to view your earnings record; you cannot see it without signing in.
- If you spot a missing job or incorrect wage amount, you can report it to Social Security with documentation like old W-2s or pay stubs.
What information appears in your earnings record
Each line on your earnings record shows the year, the employer name (if available), your gross wages for that year, and the amount of Social Security tax withheld. The record does not break down earnings by month or show individual paychecks — only the annual total per job.
If you worked for multiple employers in the same year, each one appears as a separate line. Self-employment income also shows up here if you reported it on your tax return, though the display may differ slightly from W-2 wages.
The earnings record is the same information Social Security uses to calculate your retirement benefit amount. Higher lifetime earnings mean a higher benefit, so accuracy matters for your future payments.
How to report a missing or incorrect job
If you see a job that is not listed or a wage amount that looks wrong, you can report it to Social Security. You will need documentation: a W-2 form, a pay stub, a tax return, or a letter from your employer stating the dates you worked and how much you earned.
To report the error, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. Have your documentation ready when you call. Social Security can correct the record if you provide proof, but they may ask you to mail or fax the documents rather than describe them over the phone.
There is no time limit to report a wage error, but correcting it sooner is better — the longer an error sits, the more it affects your benefit calculation. If you are close to retirement age, report errors right away.
Why your earnings record might look incomplete
A gap in your earnings record does not always mean something is wrong. If you did not work in a particular year, that year straightforward will not appear. If you worked but earned below the threshold for Social Security tax (which changes yearly), the job may not show up.
Work done before 1951 does not appear on the online record, though Social Security may have older records on file. If you worked before 1951 and need that history documented, call Social Security to ask what they have.
Wages from certain government jobs, railroad work, or military service may not appear on your standard earnings record because those employers use different tax systems. If you worked in one of these fields, Social Security can still count that time toward your benefit — you may just need to provide separate documentation.
Accessing your earnings record without logging in
If you cannot or do not want to create a Social Security account online, you can request a paper copy of your earnings record by mail. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for form SSA-7002, "Request for Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement." Social Security will mail it to you, usually within two weeks.
You can also visit a local Social Security office in person and ask to see your earnings record. Bring your Social Security card or a document with your number on it, plus a photo ID. An employee can print your record for you on the spot.
How your earnings record affects your benefits
Social Security calculates your retirement benefit using your 35 highest-earning years. If your earnings record is missing a year when you actually worked, Social Security may count a zero for that year instead, which lowers your benefit amount. This is why checking your record before you retire matters — you have time to correct errors.
If you worked in a year but earned very little, that low-earning year still counts toward your 35 years. Social Security cannot remove it, but higher-earning years push it down the list. Only your top 35 years factor into the final number.
Your earnings record also affects when you can retire and how much you can earn while still receiving benefits. Reviewing it now helps you understand what your future benefit might be and whether you need to work longer to reach the amount you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back does my earnings record go?
Your record shows earnings back to 1951 or to when you first started working, whichever is more recent. Work before 1951 may be on file with Social Security but does not appear in your online account. Call 1-800-772-1213 if you need information about pre-1951 employment.
Why is my current year missing from my earnings record?
Social Security updates earnings records once per year in March after the IRS receives W-2 forms from employers. If you are checking before March, your current-year income will not yet appear. Check again in spring to see if it has been added.
Can I see my earnings record if I do not have an online account?
Yes. Call 1-800-772-1213 to request a paper copy by mail, or visit your local Social Security office with your Social Security card and photo ID. An employee can show you your record in person.
What should I do if my employer name is wrong on my earnings record?
The employer name is less important than the wage amount and year, since Social Security uses earnings to calculate benefits, not the company name. If the wage or year is wrong, report it with documentation. If only the name is misspelled, you can call Social Security to ask if it needs correction.
Does self-employment income show up on my earnings record?
Yes, if you reported it on your tax return. Self-employment earnings appear on your record, though the display may look different from W-2 wages. The amount counts toward your benefit calculation the same way.