The Social Security Administration runs the Social Security program in the United States

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency that manages Social Security benefits, which include retirement payments, disability insurance, and survivor benefits for families of workers who have died. The SSA also administers Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a separate program for people with low income and limited resources who are aged, blind, or disabled. The agency does not set the rules for Social Security — Congress does — but SSA collects payroll taxes through employers, maintains earnings records for workers, and pays out benefits each month.

The SSA is an independent agency of the executive branch, meaning it operates separately from the Department of Health and Human Services or other cabinet departments. It has a headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, and maintains field offices in most cities and towns across the country. When you need to report a change to your benefits, request a replacement Social Security card, or dispute your earnings record, you deal with SSA directly.

Key Takeaways

  • The Social Security Administration collects payroll taxes, maintains your lifetime earnings record, and pays out retirement, disability, and survivor benefits each month.
  • You can conduct most SSA business online through your personal my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local field office.
  • The SSA maintains your earnings history and uses it to calculate your benefit amount, so reviewing your record for errors is important before you reach retirement age.
  • The agency processes claims for retirement, disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and survivor benefits, each with different rules about who qualifies and how much they receive.
  • SSA does not decide policy or set benefit amounts — Congress passes the laws that govern Social Security, and SSA enforces them.

How to contact the Social Security Administration

The fastest way to reach SSA for most routine questions is through your my Social Security account, which you can create at ssa.gov. Once you log in with your username and password, you can view your earnings record, request a replacement Social Security card, change your address, report a change in income or living situation, and see an estimate of your future benefits. You do not need to call or visit an office for these tasks.

If you prefer to speak with someone, call the SSA's national customer service line at 1-800-772-1213. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the week. You can also visit a local SSA field office in person. To find the office nearest you, use the office locator on ssa.gov or call the national number and ask for directions.

The SSA also offers an online message service through my Social Security. If you have a question that does not require an when ready answer, you can send a message and receive a response within a few business days. This option is useful if you want a written record of your question and the agency's response.

What the SSA does with your earnings record

Every time you work and pay payroll taxes, your employer reports your earnings to the SSA under your Social Security number. The SSA stores this information in your individual earnings record, which is used to calculate your retirement benefit amount, your disability benefit if you become unable to work, and survivor benefits for your family if you die. The amount you receive each month depends directly on how much you earned and for how long you worked.

You should review your earnings record at least once every few years, especially before you reach retirement age. If the SSA has recorded earnings under the wrong name or Social Security number, or if earnings are missing entirely, your future benefit will be lower than it should be. You can view your record free of charge through my Social Security. If you find an error, you can report it to the SSA with documentation such as old tax returns or W-2 forms. The agency will investigate and correct the record if the error is confirmed.

The SSA also uses your earnings record to determine whether you have worked long enough to may have access to for benefits. For retirement benefits, you generally need 40 credits of earnings, which usually means 10 years of work. For disability and survivor benefits, the requirement is lower and depends on your age when you become disabled or die.

The different benefit programs the SSA administers

The SSA manages four main benefit programs, each with different rules about who qualifies and how much they receive. Retirement benefits go to workers aged 62 or older who have worked long enough. Disability Insurance (SSDI) goes to workers of any age who cannot work due to a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Survivor benefits go to family members of a worker who has died, including spouses, children, and parents depending on the worker. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate program for people with low income and limited resources who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled.

Each program has its own rules about income limits, resource limits, and how much you can earn while receiving benefits. For example, SSDI and SSI have strict limits on how much money you can have in savings, but retirement benefits do not. If you work while receiving retirement benefits before your full retirement age, your benefit is reduced by a certain amount for each dollar you earn above a yearly limit. These rules do not explore the same way to SSDI or SSI.

The SSA processes claims for all four programs. The time it takes to receive a decision varies. Retirement benefit claims usually take a few weeks if you explore online or in person. Disability claims often take several months because the SSA must review medical evidence. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal, and the SSA will explain the reason for the denial and how to request a review.

How SSA determines your benefit amount

Your Social Security benefit amount is calculated using a formula that takes into account your highest 35 years of earnings. The SSA adjusts your past earnings for inflation so that earnings from different decades can be compared fairly. It then calculates your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit you receive at your full retirement age. If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit is reduced. If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit increases.

The SSA sends you a benefit estimate each year if you have a my Social Security account. The estimate shows what you would receive at different claiming ages — for example, at 62, at your full retirement age, and at 70. This estimate is based on your current earnings record and assumes you will continue to work and earn at your current level until you claim. If your earnings change significantly, your estimate will change too.

For disability and survivor benefits, the calculation is different. The SSA uses your Primary Insurance Amount to determine what your family members receive. A spouse, ex-spouse, or child may receive a percentage of your benefit amount, but the total paid to your entire family cannot exceed a family maximum, which is usually 150 to 180 percent of your own benefit.

What happens after you claim benefits

Once you begin receiving benefits, the SSA pays you each month, usually by direct deposit to your bank account. You are required to report certain changes to the SSA, such as a change in your address, a change in your marital status, or if you return to work and your earnings exceed the limit. If you do not report a change and the SSA discovers it later, you may have to repay benefits you were not may have access to to receive.

The SSA also adjusts your benefit each year for cost-of-living increases, known as COLA adjustments. These adjustments are automatic and are based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index. The amount of the increase varies from year to year. The SSA announces the COLA adjustment in October, and it takes effect in January.

If you believe the SSA has made an error in calculating your benefit or paying you the wrong amount, you can request a review. You have the right to see your case file and to appeal any decision the SSA makes about your benefits. The appeal process has several levels, and you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge if you disagree with the SSA's initial decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a my Social Security account?

Go to ssa.gov and click "Create an account" or "Sign in." You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity, such as a driver's license or passport. The SSA uses a third-party service called ID.me to verify your identity online. Once your account is set up, you can log in anytime to view your earnings record and benefits information.

What should I do if I find an error in my earnings record?

Contact the SSA as soon as possible with documentation of the correct earnings, such as old W-2 forms or tax returns. You can report the error through my Social Security, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local field office. The SSA will investigate and correct your record if the error is confirmed. It is important to fix errors before you claim benefits so your benefit amount is calculated correctly.

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

If you claim retirement benefits and change your mind within 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay the benefits you received. This allows you to claim again at a later age and receive a higher monthly benefit. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age or later, which stops your payments and allows your benefit to grow until you restart it.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history and payroll taxes you have paid. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with low income and limited resources. SSDI has no income or resource limits, but SSI does. Both programs require you to have a medical condition that prevents you from working, but the rules about how much you can earn while receiving benefits are different.

How long does it take to receive a decision on a disability claim?

Initial disability claims usually take three to five months to process, though some take longer if the SSA needs additional medical evidence. If your claim is denied, you can appeal. An appeal to reconsideration takes another few months. If you request a hearing before an administrative law judge, the wait time varies by location but can be six months to a year or more. You can work with a disability representative to help you through the process.