You can get your Social Security statement online in minutes, or request one by mail

Your Social Security statement shows your earnings history and estimates what you might receive at different retirement ages. You have two main ways to get one: create an account on the Social Security Administration's website and view it when ready, or call Social Security and ask them to mail it to you. The online route is faster and you can check it anytime. The mailed version takes about two weeks but requires no computer access.

The statement itself is free. Social Security sends it to you at no cost, whether you request it online or by phone. You do not need to pay anyone to help you get it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov and view your statement when ready without waiting.
  • If you do not have internet access or prefer not to use it, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and they will mail your statement to your home address.
  • Your statement shows what you have earned each year and estimates what you might receive at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70.
  • You should check your earnings record for mistakes, because Social Security uses those numbers to calculate your benefit amount.
  • If you spot an error on your earnings record, you have a limited time to report it — usually three years, three months, and 15 days from the year the error occurred.

Creating a my Social Security account online

Go to ssa.gov and look for the "my Social Security" link on the homepage. Click it and select "Create an account." You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number. Social Security will send you a verification code to your email or phone to confirm your identity.

Once you are logged in, your statement appears under the "Earnings Record" section. You can view it right away, read it as a PDF, or print it. You can also check it as many times as you want — there is no limit to how often you log in. If you forget your password, you can reset it on the same login page.

Creating an account takes about 10 minutes the first time. After that, you can log in and see your statement in under a minute.

Requesting your statement by phone or mail

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you want to request a Social Security statement. They will ask for your name, date of birth, and Social Security number to confirm your identity. You can also request one by mail by filling out Form SSA-7050-F-U, which you can read from ssa.gov or request by phone.

If you request by phone, Social Security will mail your statement to the address they have on file. If you request by mail, send the completed form to your local Social Security office. Either way, expect to wait about two weeks for it to arrive. If you do not receive it after three weeks, call Social Security to check on it.

The phone 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 afternoon.

What your statement shows and why it matters

Your statement lists your earnings for each year you worked and paid Social Security taxes. It shows how much you earned and how much you paid in Social Security tax. At the bottom, it gives three estimates: what you might receive if you claim at age 62, at your full retirement age (which depends on your birth year), and at age 70.

These estimates assume you keep working and earning until the age shown. If you stop working earlier, your actual benefit will be lower. The estimates also assume current law stays the same — Congress could change Social Security rules in the future.

Your statement matters because Social Security uses your earnings record to calculate your benefit. If your record has mistakes — a year where your employer did not report your earnings, or earnings reported under the wrong name — your benefit could be too low. Checking it now gives you time to fix errors before you claim.

Checking your earnings record for mistakes

Look at each year on your statement and compare it to your own records — old tax returns, W-2 forms, or pay stubs. If you see a year where the amount seems too low or too high, that is a sign something might be wrong. Common mistakes include earnings reported under a slightly different name (especially after a marriage or name change) or earnings that your employer failed to report.

If you spot an error, gather proof: your W-2 form for that year, a pay stub, or a letter from your employer showing what they paid you. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them what year has the mistake and what the correct amount should be. They will ask you to mail in your proof. Social Security will investigate and correct the record if your proof is solid.

You have a time limit to report errors. For most mistakes, you must report them within three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year the error occurred. For example, if your 2020 earnings were reported wrong, you must report it by April 15, 2024. After that important date, Social Security usually cannot fix it.

What to do if you cannot create an online account

If you try to create a my Social Security account and the system will not let you, it usually means Social Security does not have enough information about you on file — perhaps you are very new to the country, or you have never worked under Social Security before. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain the problem. They can help you over the phone or tell you what information you need to provide first.

If you have a representative payee (someone who manages your benefits for you) or if you are under age 18, you cannot create your own my Social Security account. The representative payee or a parent or guardian must create an account instead. Call Social Security to find out who can set one up for you.

If you do not speak English well, Social Security offers free interpreters on the phone. When you call, tell them what language you speak and they will connect you with an interpreter at no cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my statement if I have never worked?

No. Your statement only appears if you have earned income and paid Social Security taxes. If you have never worked or only worked for an employer that does not pay into Social Security (some government jobs), you will not have a statement to view. You can still call Social Security to ask about your record.

Does checking my statement affect my benefits?

No. Viewing your statement does not change anything about your benefits or your account. You can check it as often as you want with no consequences. It is purely informational.

What if my statement shows earnings I do not remember?

That is not unusual. Your statement covers your entire working life, and many people forget jobs from years ago. Look for a W-2 or tax return from that year to confirm the amount. If you truly did not earn that money, contact Social Security with proof that the earnings were reported in error.

Can I get a statement for someone else, like my spouse?

No. Only the person whose Social Security number is on the account can view that statement. Your spouse must create their own my Social Security account or call Social Security to request their own statement. If your spouse is unable to do this, you may be able to help them create an account, but they must authorize it.

How often should I check my statement?

Social Security recommends checking it once a year, especially if you are still working. This gives you time to spot and report errors before you claim benefits. Once you start receiving benefits, you can check less often unless you think something has changed.