The fastest way to check your Social Security account
You can check your Social Security account through my Social Security, the official portal run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Go to ssa.gov/myaccount, create a login using your email address, and you will see your earnings record, estimated benefits, and payment history. The site works on any device with internet access.
If you do not want to create an online account, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). A representative can tell you your current benefit amount, verify your earnings record, and answer questions about your account. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning or on weekdays.
You can also visit a local Social Security office in person. Find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it. Walk-in hours vary by location, and some offices now require appointments.
Key Takeaways
- my Social Security (ssa.gov/myaccount) is the official online account where you can see your earnings history, estimated retirement benefits, and current payment status without waiting on hold.
- You will need to create a login with your email address and verify your identity using a phone number or by answering security questions based on your credit history.
- If you receive benefits now, your account shows your payment amount, deposit date, and any taxes withheld from your check.
- The Social Security Administration phone line (1-800-772-1213) can answer questions about your account, but you do not need to call if you can access the online portal.
- Your earnings record on your Social Security account may contain errors that affect your future benefits, so review it every few years and report mistakes to SSA.
What information you will see in your account
Once you log into my Social Security, you can view your earnings record — the wages and self-employment income SSA has on file for you going back decades. This record determines how much you will receive in retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. Check it for gaps or incorrect amounts, especially if you changed jobs, worked under a different name, or had income that was not reported.
If you have not yet claimed benefits, your account shows an estimated benefit amount for retirement at your full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically between 66 and 67). You can also see estimates for claiming earlier (at 62) or later (at 70), which show how much less or more you would receive. These are projections based on your current earnings record and assume you continue working at your current pace.
If you are already receiving benefits, your account displays your current monthly payment amount, the date it is deposited each month, and any federal or state taxes withheld. You can also see a history of payments going back several months, which is useful if you need to verify that a payment arrived or if you are troubleshooting a missing deposit.
How to create your my Social Security login
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account." You will need a valid email address, a U.S. phone number, and your Social Security number. SSA will send a one-time code to your email to verify it is yours.
Next, you will verify your identity. SSA offers two routes: answer security questions based on your credit history (such as "Which of these addresses have you lived at?"), or receive a one-time code by phone or text to the number you provided. The credit-based questions are usually faster and do not require waiting for a text or call.
If SSA cannot verify you through either method — for example, if you have limited credit history or a fraud flag on your account — you will be asked to verify in person at a local Social Security office or through an ID.me video call. The video call option is available during business hours and takes about 10 minutes.
Checking your account if you do not have internet access
Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative you want to check your account. Have your Social Security number ready. They will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your personal history (such as your mother's maiden name or previous addresses). The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
You can also request a Social Security Statement by mail, which shows your earnings record and estimated benefits. Call the number above or visit ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/statement.html to request one. SSA will mail it to you within two weeks. This is a paper version of the same information you see online, but it does not update in real time.
If you need to speak with someone about a specific problem — such as a missing payment, an error in your earnings record, or a question about when to claim — ask the phone representative to schedule an appointment at your local office. You do not have to wait on hold; they will call you back at a time you choose.
What to do if you find an error in your earnings record
Errors in your earnings record can reduce your benefits by hundreds of dollars per month. Common mistakes include wages credited to the wrong year, income that was not reported at all, or amounts that do not match your tax returns. The longer an error sits, the harder it is to fix, so report it as soon as you notice it.
If you spot an error, log into my Social Security and select "Contact Us" to send a message to SSA. Describe the error, the year it occurred, and include your employer's name if you remember it. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office in person. Bring your tax returns or W-2s from the year in question if you have them.
SSA will investigate and contact your employer to verify the correct amount. If your employer's records match yours, SSA will correct the record. If there is a discrepancy, SSA may ask you to provide a copy of your tax return or W-2. The process usually takes 30 to 60 days, but complex cases can take longer.
Understanding your estimated benefit amount
The estimated benefit shown in your account is based on three assumptions: that you will live to average life expectancy, that you will not earn any more income after the estimate was calculated, and that benefit formulas will not change. None of these are may provide. If you plan to work longer, earn more, or claim at a different age, your actual benefit will differ.
The estimate also assumes you have enough work credits to receive benefits. You earn one credit for every $1,640 in wages or self-employment income (this amount changes yearly). Most people need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits, and you can earn up to four credits per year. If your account shows you do not have enough credits yet, you can see how many more you need.
If you are considering when to claim, compare the estimates for different ages. Claiming at 62 gives you a smaller monthly payment but starts sooner. Claiming at 70 gives you a larger monthly payment but you wait longer to start. The break-even point varies by person, but many people find that waiting until 67 or 70 results in more total money over a lifetime if they live past 80.
Protecting your Social Security account from fraud
Your my Social Security login is the gateway to sensitive information, so use a strong password — at least 12 characters, mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use the same password on other websites. If SSA detects suspicious activity, it will lock your account and ask you to verify your identity again.
Be cautious of emails or phone calls claiming to be from SSA. The real SSA will never ask you to confirm your Social Security number, password, or bank details by email or unsolicited phone call. If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links or call any numbers in it. Instead, go directly to ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to report it.
If you believe someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password immediately and call 1-800-772-1213 to report it. SSA can place a fraud alert on your account and help you review any unauthorized changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create a my Social Security account to check my benefits?
No. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office to check your account without creating an online login. However, the online account is faster and available 24/7, so most people find it more convenient.
What if I forgot my password?
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Forgot your password?" Enter your email address, and SSA will send you a link to reset it. The link expires after one hour. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or wait a few minutes and try again.
Can I check someone else's Social Security account?
No. Each person must log into their own account using their own email and Social Security number. If you are managing benefits for someone else (such as a parent or spouse), you can contact SSA by phone or in person with a power of attorney or guardianship document, and they can discuss the account with you.
How often does my estimated benefit amount update?
SSA updates your estimate once a year, usually in September or October, after it processes W-2s and self-employment tax returns from the previous year. If you had a major change in income or employment status, the estimate may not reflect it until the next annual update.
What if my earnings record shows I did not work in a year when I know I did?
This usually means your employer did not report your wages to SSA, or reported them under a different name or Social Security number. Contact your former employer's payroll or human resources department to verify they reported your wages correctly. If they did, ask them to contact SSA to correct the record. You can also call SSA to file a report and provide your tax return as proof.