Social Security Statement
Updated October 2026 · 2026 figures from the Social Security Administration and IRS
Your Social Security Statement shows your full earnings history and estimates of your retirement, disability and survivor benefits. Get it any time by signing in to my Social Security at ssa.gov. If you're 60 or older, not yet receiving benefits and have no online account, SSA mails a paper Statement about three months before your birthday.
Below: how to get it, how to read each section, how to fix an earnings error before it costs you money, and what to do if you can't get online.
How to get your Social Security Statement online
- Create or sign in to my Social Security. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with Login.gov or ID.me. You need to be 18+, have a Social Security number, a U.S. mailing address and an email address.
- Open your Statement. Select 'Plan for Retirement' or 'View your Social Security Statement'.
- Download the PDF. Save it to compare with future years.
Creating your own account also stops someone else from opening one in your name.
Without internet: paper Statement
SSA mails Statements to people 60 and older who aren't receiving benefits and don't have an online account. Anyone can request one with Form SSA-7004 (Request for Social Security Statement), by mail; it arrives in about four to six weeks.
How to read your Statement
| Section | What it tells you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement benefit estimates | Monthly amount at every age from 62 to 70 | Assumes you keep earning what you earn now until you claim |
| Disability estimate | What you'd get if you became disabled now | Whether you have enough recent credits to qualify |
| Survivor estimates | What your spouse and children would receive if you died | Useful for life insurance planning |
| Medicare | Whether you have enough credits for premium-free Part A | 40 credits needed |
| Earnings record | Your taxed earnings for each year of work | Missing or low years |
| Taxes paid | Total Social Security and Medicare taxes paid by you and your employers | — |
Estimates are in today's dollars. To test other scenarios — claiming at a different age, working fewer years — use our Social Security calculator, and see how Social Security is calculated to understand the numbers.
Found a mistake? Fix your earnings record
Errors happen — a job missing after a name change, an employer that reported under the wrong number, self-employment income never filed. Each missing year can lower your benefit for life, and the older the error, the harder the proof.
- Find the proof: W-2s, pay stubs, tax returns, or a wage statement from the employer.
- Call 1-800-772-1213 or book an appointment and ask to correct your earnings record (Form SSA-7008 may be used).
- The earnings for the current year usually appear only after employers file W-2s, so a blank latest year is normal.
Earnings older than 3 years, 3 months and 15 days can still be corrected in many situations — for example, with a W-2 or tax return showing the wages, or if the error was SSA's — so don't assume it's too late.
No tax returns? You can order IRS wage and income transcripts free at irs.gov for recent years, or request a detailed earnings statement from SSA with Form SSA-7050 (a fee may apply).
Once you're receiving benefits
The Statement stops being mailed when you start benefits. Your proof of income becomes the benefit verification letter, and each January SSA sends Form SSA-1099 for taxes — see the Social Security award letter guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my Social Security Statement?
Sign in to my Social Security at ssa.gov to view and download it any time. Without an online account, request a paper copy with Form SSA-7004; people 60+ not yet receiving benefits get one mailed automatically.
Is my Social Security Statement accurate?
The estimates assume you keep earning about what you earn now until you claim. The earnings history is only as accurate as what employers reported — check it against your W-2s.
How often is the Social Security Statement updated?
Online Statements update as SSA posts new earnings, usually once a year after employers file W-2s. You can view it any time.
What if my earnings record is wrong?
Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office with proof such as W-2s, pay stubs or tax returns. SSA can correct the record, and your benefit estimate will update.
Do I need a my Social Security account to see my statement?
For instant access, yes. Otherwise request a paper Statement by mail with Form SSA-7004.