The Social Security Administration runs three separate programs, and which one matters to you depends on your age, work history, or disability status
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a federal agency that manages retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and disability benefits. It does not handle unemployment, food information, housing, or healthcare — those are separate programs run by different agencies. SSA operates from regional offices across the country, and you can reach your local office by phone, in person, or through its website at ssa.gov.
The three programs SSA runs are Social Security retirement (for people 62 and older), Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI (for working-age people with disabilities), and Supplemental Security Income or SSI (for people with disabilities or over 65 who have very low income and few assets). Each has different rules about who qualifies, how much money you receive, and what work you can do while receiving benefits.
SSA also issues Social Security numbers, maintains your earnings record, and handles requests for replacement cards or name changes. If you need to report a death, change your address, or update direct deposit information, SSA handles that too.
Key Takeaways
- The Social Security Administration runs three separate programs: retirement benefits (age 62+), disability benefits (SSDI for workers with disabilities), and SSI for people with very low income and few assets.
- You can contact SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local office in person, or using ssa.gov to create an account and manage your benefits online.
- SSA maintains your earnings record and uses it to calculate your benefit amount, so checking your record for errors before you turn 60 is important.
- If you receive benefits and your circumstances change — you return to work, move, marry, or have a child — you must report the change to SSA or risk overpayment.
How to contact your local Social Security office
The fastest way to reach SSA is by phone at 1-800-772-1213. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning on weekdays. You can also text your question to SSA using their Text Telephone (TTY) number at 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.
To find your local office address and hours, go to ssa.gov, click "Locations," and enter your zip code. Many offices now require you to make an appointment before visiting in person, so call ahead or book online through your account. Walk-ins are sometimes turned away if the office is full.
You can also create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you set up an account, you can view your earnings record, check your benefit amount, change your address, report a change in circumstances, and request a replacement Social Security card without calling or visiting an office.
What information SSA keeps about your work history
SSA maintains a record of your earnings from every job where you paid Social Security taxes (FICA). This record is used to calculate your retirement benefit amount, your disability benefit amount, and whether your family members can receive survivor benefits if you die. The longer you work and the more you earn, the higher your benefit will be.
You should check your earnings record at least once every three years and before you turn 60. If you find an error — a missing year, a year with too little income recorded, or income credited to the wrong person — you can report it to SSA. You will need your W-2 forms or tax returns as proof. SSA has a limited time to correct errors, so reporting them early matters.
To view your earnings record, log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and Social Security number. The record shows your earnings year by year and tells you how many work credits you have earned.
How Social Security retirement benefits are calculated
Your retirement benefit amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. SSA takes your top 35 earning years, adjusts them for inflation, and calculates an average. The longer you wait to claim benefits after age 62, the larger your monthly payment will be. If you claim at 62, your benefit is reduced. If you wait until age 70, your benefit is increased.
You need at least 40 work credits to receive retirement benefits. Most people earn four credits per year, so 40 credits usually takes 10 years of work. If you have not worked that long, you cannot receive retirement benefits on your own record, though you may be able to receive benefits based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's record.
You can see an estimate of your retirement benefit by logging into your my Social Security account. The estimate shows what you would receive if you claimed at 62, at your full retirement age (which varies by birth year), and at 70. You can also call SSA to request a benefit estimate by mail.
Reporting changes that affect your benefits
If you are receiving benefits and your life circumstances change, you must report the change to SSA. Changes that matter include returning to work, earning more than the annual earnings limit, getting married, getting divorced, having a child, moving to a different address, or changing your direct deposit information.
You can report most changes through your my Social Security account without calling. For some changes — like reporting a death or a new child — you will need to contact SSA by phone or visit an office in person. If you do not report a change and SSA overpays you, you will be asked to repay the money.
If you are working and receiving retirement benefits before your full retirement age, SSA limits how much you can earn. The limit changes each year. If you earn more than the limit, SSA will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.
Understanding SSDI and SSI
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people under full retirement age who have a medical condition that prevents them from working. To receive SSDI, you must have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. The amount you receive is based on your own earnings record, the same way retirement benefits are calculated.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people 65 and older, blind, or disabled who have very low income and few assets. Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a work history. Your SSI benefit amount depends on your income and assets, not on past earnings. SSI also comes with Medicaid in most states, while SSDI recipients can receive Medicare after two years of benefits.
Both SSDI and SSI have rules about how much you can earn while receiving benefits. SSDI allows you to earn a small amount each month without losing benefits, and SSI has a similar allowance. If you earn more than the limit, your benefit is reduced or stopped. The rules are complex, so contact SSA before you start working to understand how it will affect your benefits.
Getting a Social Security card or replacing a lost one
You can request a replacement Social Security card through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov without visiting an office. You will need to verify your identity and answer security questions. A replacement card usually arrives by mail within 1 to 2 weeks.
If you cannot use the online service, you can visit your local SSA office in person with proof of identity and proof of citizenship or legal residency. Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or immigration document. You will also need a photo ID like a driver's license or state ID card.
If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you can request a new card with your new name. You will need to provide proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. SSA does not charge for a replacement card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between my Social Security number and my benefits?
Your Social Security number is an identifier that SSA issues to you. Your benefits are the monthly payments you receive from SSA if you are retired, disabled, or a survivor of a worker who died. You can have a Social Security number without receiving benefits, and you can receive benefits only if you meet the rules for one of SSA's three programs.
Can I check my earnings record if I do not have a my Social Security account?
Yes. You can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and request a Statement of Earnings by mail. SSA will send you a paper copy of your earnings record. Creating a my Social Security account is faster and lets you check your record anytime without waiting for mail.
What happens if I find an error in my earnings record?
Contact SSA by phone or visit your local office with proof of the correct earnings, such as your W-2 or tax return. SSA has a limited time to correct errors, so report them as soon as you find them. Errors can lower your benefit amount, so fixing them before you claim benefits is important.
Do I have to visit an SSA office in person to claim benefits?
No. You can claim retirement, disability, or survivor benefits online through ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You only need to visit an office in person if SSA asks you to provide documents or if you prefer to claim in person.
What should I do if I think someone is using my Social Security number fraudulently?
Contact SSA when ready by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local office. You should also report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. Keep records of any suspicious activity and follow up with SSA to make sure your account is find.