SOCIAL SECURITY
How can I see my Social Security statement online?
More than 60 million people receive Social Security payments every year and the SSA have imtroduced My Social Security to make it easier to claim the support.
Social Security is paid for by the monthly contributions made by hundreds of millions of Americans and it provides financial support designed to help retirees and peoples with disabilities.
As a general rule, the higher your salary the larger your Social Security contributions will be. This means that the size of your entitlement from the Social Security Administration (SSA) will also vary.
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Luckily, you can view your Social Security Statement (SSS) by accessing your My Social Security online account. If you have not yet signed up to access the My Social Security online portal, you can do so quickly and easily on the Create a New Account webpage.
What is on the Social Security Statement?
The SSS brings together various pieces of data that will allow you to make an informed decision regarding your Social Security payments and retirement plans. The amount on offer will depend on many factors, such as the age at which you start claiming Social Security, the number of depends your claim, and the amount you have paid in contributions to date.
The statement provides the following information:
- Your estimated benefits (depending on the age at which you start to claim)
- How your benefits are estimated
- Your earnings record (a full list of your taxed earnings per year)
- Contact details to update your Social Security details if you need to report any changes
- Tips and things to think about before deciding to claim your Social Security entitlement
The advice on offer will be tailored to you. Depending on your birth year, your retirement age will vary and you will receive lower monthly payments if you claim the support ahead of your official retirement age.
How to request a paper Social Security Statement
Utilising the online portal is by far the easiest, and fastest, way to request information about your Social Security status but it is still possible to use other methods. If you do not have a My Social Security account and are aged 60 or older, a paper statement will be sent out three months before your birthday each year.
Outside of that annual update for those approaching Social Security age, you can also request one through the mail. You will need to print, complete and send a "Request For Social Security Statement" form (SSA-7004), following the instructions on the document. If you do so, you should receive a physical SSS within four to six weeks.
If your My Social Security is not working properly you can also visit a local Social Security office, or contact 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for further assistance.