What Your Earnings Record Is and Why It Matters

Your Social Security earnings record is a history of all the wages you have earned during your working life. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses this record to calculate how much you will receive when you claim benefits — whether that is retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. If your record contains errors, your benefit amount could be lower than it should be.

The SSA gets earnings information from your employer's tax reports each year. Most of the time the data is correct, but mistakes do happen: a wage might be recorded under the wrong name, the wrong Social Security number, or the wrong year. Catching and correcting these errors early matters because there are time limits on how far back you can go to fix them.

Key Takeaways

  • You can view your complete earnings record for free by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov.
  • The SSA matches earnings to your record based on your name and Social Security number as reported by your employer.
  • If you spot an error, you must report it to the SSA within three years, three months, and 15 days of the year the wages were earned.
  • You will need your original pay stubs, W-2 forms, or tax returns as proof when you report a mistake.
  • Corrections can take several weeks to process, so it is worth checking your record every few years while you are still working.

How to Create a my Social Security Account and View Your Record

The fastest way to see your earnings record is to set up a free account on the SSA's website. Go to ssa.gov and look for the "my Social Security" sign-in box. If you do not already have an account, click "Create an account" and follow the steps. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number.

The SSA will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your credit history or by uploading a photo of your driver's license or state ID. Once your account is set up, you can log in anytime to view your earnings record. The record shows your wages year by year, going back to when you started working. It also shows how much you have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes.

If you do not want to create an online account, you can also request a paper copy of your earnings record by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or by visiting your local Social Security office in person. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.

What to Look For When You Review Your Record

When you open your earnings record, check each year's wages against your own records — your W-2 forms, pay stubs, or tax returns. Look for these common mistakes: wages recorded in the wrong year, wages that are too high or too low, or wages that are missing entirely. Self-employed workers should check that their net earnings from self-employment are recorded correctly.

Pay special attention to years when you changed jobs, had multiple employers, or took time off work. These are the years most likely to have errors. If you see a wage amount that does not match what you earned, write down the year, the amount shown on your record, and the correct amount according to your documents.

How to Report an Error in Your Earnings Record

If you find a mistake, contact the SSA as soon as you can. You can report an error by phone at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by mailing a letter to the SSA. When you report the error, have your documents ready: your W-2 form, pay stub, or tax return that shows the correct wage amount.

The SSA will ask you to explain what the error is and provide proof of the correct amount. You do not have to send original documents — copies are fine. The SSA will then contact your former employer to verify the correct wage information. This process usually takes several weeks.

Keep in mind that there is a time limit: you must report the error within three years, three months, and 15 days after the year in which the wages were earned. For example, if you earned wages in 2020, you must report any error by April 15, 2024. After that important date, the SSA cannot correct the record, even if you have proof of the correct amount.

What Happens After You Report an Error

Once you report an error, the SSA will send you a letter confirming that they received your report. They will then contact your former employer to ask for wage records. Your employer has a certain amount of time to respond. If the employer confirms the correct wage amount, the SSA will update your record.

If your employer cannot be reached or does not have records going back that far, the SSA may ask you to provide additional proof. This is where your personal documents — W-2s, pay stubs, or tax returns — become important. If you have these documents, send copies to the SSA along with a letter explaining the error.

After the SSA corrects your record, they will send you a new statement showing the updated earnings history. If the correction changes your benefit amount, they will let you know how much your benefits will increase when you claim them.

Earnings Records for Self-Employed Workers

If you are self-employed, your earnings record is based on the net profit you report on your tax returns, not on gross revenue. The SSA gets this information from your Schedule C (if you file as a sole proprietor) or from your partnership or S-corporation tax returns. Self-employed workers pay both the employee and employer portions of Social Security tax, which is why your net earnings appear on your record.

To check your self-employment earnings, follow the same steps: log into your my Social Security account and review each year's record against your tax returns. If you see a discrepancy, report it to the SSA with a copy of the relevant tax return pages. Self-employed earnings errors often happen because of how the net profit was calculated or because the SSA did not receive the tax return information from the IRS.

What to Do If You Cannot Access Your Online Account

If you have trouble creating or logging into your my Social Security account, the SSA offers other ways to get your earnings record. You can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask the representative to mail you a copy of your earnings statement. You can also visit your local Social Security office — find the nearest one by going to ssa.gov and using the office locator tool.

When you call or visit in person, have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. The SSA may ask you additional questions to verify your identity. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY number 1-800-325-0778. If you speak a language other than English, interpreters are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my earnings record?

The SSA recommends checking your record at least once every few years while you are still working. This gives you time to catch and report errors before the three-year important date passes. Many people check their record once a year around tax time, when they have their W-2 forms in front of them.

Can I correct my earnings record after I start receiving benefits?

Yes, you can report errors even after you have claimed benefits. However, the three-year, three-month, and 15-day important date still applies. If the error is corrected, your benefit amount may be adjusted going forward, and you may receive a lump-sum payment for the difference in benefits you should have received.

What if my employer is out of business or no longer has my records?

If your employer is no longer in business, the SSA will try to locate records through the IRS or state tax agencies. If those records are not available, you can submit your own documents — W-2s, pay stubs, or tax returns — as proof. The SSA will use these to correct your record if they show a clear discrepancy.

Does checking my earnings record affect my benefits or my taxes?

No. Viewing your earnings record does not change anything about your benefits, your taxes, or your Social Security account. It is purely informational. You can check it as many times as you want without any consequences.

What if I disagree with the SSA's decision on my error report?

If the SSA denies your error report or you disagree with their decision, you have the right to appeal. The SSA will explain the appeal process in the letter they send you. You can request reconsideration and provide additional evidence to support your claim.