Your Social Security earnings record is a history of the wages you paid into the system, and your benefit estimate is what Social Security projects you will receive at a given age
You can view both online through your personal account at ssa.gov, by phone, or by mail. Your earnings record shows every year you worked and how much you earned — Social Security uses this to calculate your benefit amount. Your benefit estimate shows what you might receive if you claim at age 62, your full retirement age, or age 70. The estimates change as you age and earn more, so checking them every few years is useful if you are still working.
The fastest way is to create a my Social Security account online. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number, U.S. mailing address, and either a driver's license or state ID number. Once you log in, you can see your earnings record going back to 1951 and view three benefit estimates without leaving your house.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your earnings record and benefit estimates when ready, without calling or visiting an office.
- Your earnings record shows what Social Security has on file for every year you worked, and you should check it for errors because mistakes can lower your benefit.
- Your benefit estimate changes as you age and earn more income, so the number you see today is not final.
- If you cannot or do not want to create an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or request a paper statement by mail.
How to set up a my Social Security account
Go to ssa.gov and select "Create an account" from the homepage. You will be asked for your Social Security number, email address, and date of birth. Social Security will then ask you to verify your identity using information from your credit file or by providing a phone number, mailing address, and ID number.
If you cannot verify online — for example, if you have no credit history or Social Security does not recognize your information — you can verify in person at a local Social Security office. Call 1-800-772-1213 to find the office nearest you and ask what documents to bring. Verification usually takes a few minutes.
Once your account is active, you can log in anytime to view your earnings record, check your benefit estimates, and see the date you became may be able to access for benefits. You can also change your password, update your email address, or read a statement to keep for your records.
What your earnings record shows and why errors matter
Your earnings record lists every year from 1951 to the present, showing how much you earned in each year that Social Security has on file. The record includes only wages from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes — self-employment income, tips, and bonuses count if taxes were withheld, but income from investments or rental property does not.
Errors in your earnings record can lower your benefit by hundreds of dollars per month. Common mistakes include a missing year of work, wages recorded under the wrong year, or wages that were never reported by your employer. If you spot an error, you have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year the wages were earned to report it to Social Security. After that window closes, Social Security cannot correct the record.
To report an error, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office with your W-2 forms or pay stubs as proof. Social Security will contact your former employer to verify the correct amount. If your employer is no longer in business or cannot be reached, bring a letter from your employer or a copy of your tax return showing the correct wages.
Understanding your benefit estimates
Your my Social Security account shows three estimates: what you would receive if you claim at age 62, at your full retirement age, and at age 70. These are projections based on your current earnings record and the assumption that you will earn a similar amount until you claim. The estimates are not may provide — they can change if you earn more, if the law changes, or if you live longer than expected.
The estimate at your full retirement age is often called your "primary insurance amount" or PIA. This is the benefit Social Security uses as a starting point for all other calculations. If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit will be smaller. If you claim after, it will be larger. The difference is significant: claiming at 62 instead of 67 can mean 30 percent less per month for the rest of your life.
Your estimates assume you will live to an average age. If your family has a history of longevity or you are in good health, claiming later may result in more total money over your lifetime. If you have health concerns or need the money sooner, claiming earlier may make sense. Your estimate does not account for taxes on your benefits, which some people owe depending on their other income.
How to read your earnings record for gaps and mistakes
Look at the "Your Earnings Record" section and scan the years where you worked. You should see earnings for every year you had a job covered by Social Security. Years with zero earnings are normal if you were in school, unemployed, or not working, but they will lower your average benefit because Social Security includes them in the calculation.
If you see a year where you worked but earnings show as zero, or if the amount looks too low compared to what you remember earning, that is a sign of a possible error. Write down the year and the amount shown, then gather your W-2 forms or pay stubs for that year. You will need these to prove the correct amount when you contact Social Security.
Social Security calculates your benefit using your 35 highest-earning years. If you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, zeros are added for the missing years, which lowers your average. This is why checking your record while you are still working matters — you can catch errors before they affect your benefit, and you know how many more years you need to work to reach 35 years of earnings.
Viewing your statement by phone or mail if you prefer not to go online
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative. Have your Social Security number ready. The representative can read your earnings record to you over the phone and answer questions about your benefit estimates. Wait times are usually shortest early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays.
You can also request a paper statement by mail. Go to ssa.gov, select "Request a replacement Social Security Statement," and fill out the form. Social Security will mail your statement to you within two weeks. The paper statement shows the same information as your online account: your earnings record and three benefit estimates.
If you are age 60 or older and have not created an online account, Social Security used to mail statements automatically every five years. That program ended in 2011, so you now have to request a statement if you do not want to create an account online. Requesting by mail takes longer than creating an account, but it is an option if you prefer not to use the internet.
What to do if you find an error in your record
Contact Social Security as soon as you find a mistake. Call 1-800-772-1213, visit a local office, or use the online message center in your my Social Security account to report the error. Tell Social Security the year the error occurred, what the correct amount should be, and what proof you have.
Gather documents that show the correct wages: W-2 forms, pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer. If your employer is no longer in business, a copy of your tax return for that year is usually enough. Social Security will investigate and contact your former employer if needed. The process usually takes a few weeks to a few months.
Remember the three-year, three-month, and 15-day rule: you must report errors within that window from the end of the year the wages were earned. If you miss the important date, Social Security cannot correct the record, even if the error is clear. If you are close to claiming benefits and spot an error, report it when ready — Social Security may be able to make an exception if you are within a few months of claiming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my benefit estimate if I have not worked 35 years yet?
Yes. Your my Social Security account will show an estimate based on your current earnings record, including the zero years you have not worked. The estimate will be lower than it would be if you worked 35 years, but it gives you a realistic picture of what you might receive if you claim at different ages. As you work more years, the estimate will go up because higher-earning years replace the zeros.
What if I worked under different names or Social Security numbers?
Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office with documents showing the name change or the different numbers you used. Social Security can consolidate earnings records if you provide proof of the connection — usually a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. This process can take several weeks, so start early if you are close to claiming benefits.
How often should I check my earnings record?
If you are still working, check every few years to make sure your employer reported your wages correctly. If you are retired or not working, you can check once to make sure the record is accurate before you claim benefits. After you start receiving benefits, you do not need to check unless you suspect an error or want to see how your benefit was calculated.
Can I change my benefit estimate by working longer?
Yes. Your estimate is based on your current earnings record and assumes you will earn a similar amount until you claim. If you work longer or earn more, your estimate will increase because Social Security will use your new higher-earning years instead of your lowest-earning years in the calculation. You can see how your estimate changes by checking your account each year.
What if my estimate seems too low?
Double-check your earnings record for errors or missing years. If the record is correct, your estimate may be low because you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, you had years of low income, or you took time out of the workforce. Working longer, earning more, or delaying your claim until age 70 will all increase your benefit. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 if you want to discuss your specific situation with a representative.