What you can see in your Social Security account

When you log into your My Social Security account, you can view your earnings record — the complete history of wages Social Security has on file for you — and your benefit estimate, which shows what you might receive at different ages if you claim retirement benefits. You can also see the status of any pending applications, your payment history if you are already receiving benefits, and your official Social Security Statement.

The earnings record is the foundation of your entire Social Security claim. Social Security uses it to calculate how much you will receive, so checking it for errors now — before you claim — can prevent underpayment later. The benefit estimate is not a promise; it is a projection based on your current earnings record and the assumption that you will keep working and earning at roughly the same level until you claim.

You cannot change your earnings record yourself through the website. If you find an error, you will need to contact Social Security directly with proof of the correct earnings, usually a tax return or W-2 form from the year in question.

Key Takeaways

  • Your earnings record shows every year Social Security has a wage report for you, and errors in this record directly lower your benefit amount.
  • The benefit estimate on your account assumes you will keep working at your current earnings level until you claim, so it changes as your earnings change.
  • You can see your payment history and the status of any pending applications in the same account.
  • If you find an error in your earnings record, you must contact Social Security with documentation like a W-2 or tax return; you cannot correct it online.
  • Your Social Security Statement, available in your account, is the official record Social Security uses to calculate your benefits.

How to access your earnings record

Once you are logged into My Social Security, select "Earnings Record" from the menu. The page displays a year-by-year breakdown of the wages Social Security received from your employers. Each row shows the year, the amount of wages reported, and whether Social Security has received the tax return information for that year.

Look for any years where the amount seems wrong — either too low, missing entirely, or attributed to the wrong year. Self-employment income, military service credits, and work done for certain government employers may not appear here, even though they count toward your benefits. If you worked in any of those categories, you may need to contact Social Security to verify that credit was recorded.

The earnings record only shows what Social Security has received from employers or the IRS. If you worked but your employer did not report your wages, or if there was a delay in reporting, the record may be incomplete. This is especially common for very recent years — Social Security may not have received 2024 earnings reports until mid-2025.

Understanding your benefit estimate

Your benefit estimate appears on the main dashboard of your My Social Security account. It shows three figures: what you would receive if you claim at your full retirement age (the age at which you become may have access to to your full benefit amount), what you would receive at age 62 (the earliest age you can claim), and what you would receive if you delay until age 70.

These are projections, not guarantees. Social Security calculates them by taking your current earnings record, assuming you will earn at the same level for the rest of your working years, and explore the benefit formula. If you earn more in the future, your estimate will go up. If you earn less, it will go down. The estimate also assumes current law; changes to Social Security rules would change the actual amount you receive.

The estimate does not account for Government Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination Provision, two rules that reduce benefits for people with government pensions. If you worked for a federal, state, or local government and did not pay Social Security taxes on that job, check the fine print on your estimate page to see whether these rules explore to you.

What to do if you find an error in your earnings record

If a year shows the wrong amount, is missing entirely, or is attributed to the wrong year, gather documentation of the correct earnings. A W-2 form from your employer is the strongest proof. If you are self-employed or do not have a W-2, a copy of your tax return for that year will work. You can also use a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating the wages you earned.

Contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring the documentation with you. Social Security will investigate and correct the record if the evidence supports it. The process usually takes several weeks.

Do not wait until you are ready to claim to report an error. Correcting your record early gives Social Security time to investigate and gives you time to gather additional proof if needed. If you claim before an error is corrected, your benefit will be calculated on the wrong earnings record, and you may receive less than you are may have access to to.

How your account shows payment history

If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, your My Social Security account displays your payment history — the date and amount of each payment you have received. This is useful for reconciling your bank deposits or checking whether a payment was made if you did not receive it.

The payment history also shows any months where you did not receive a payment, which can alert you to a problem. If you see a gap, contact Social Security to find out why. Common reasons include a change in your address that caused mail to be returned, a hold placed on your account pending verification, or a temporary suspension due to work earnings.

If you are expecting a payment and it does not appear in your history within the normal timeframe, do not assume it is lost. Social Security processes payments on a schedule based on your birth date. Check the payment schedule on the Social Security website to confirm when your next payment should arrive.

Pending applications and case status

If you have submitted an process for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, your My Social Security account will show the status of that process. The status updates as your case moves through the review process — from "received" to "under review" to "decision made."

The account does not always show detailed information about what Social Security is reviewing or what documents they need from you. If your status has not changed in several weeks, or if you are unsure what the current status means, contact Social Security directly. They can tell you whether your case is waiting for medical records, a work history verification, or a decision from a judge.

Do not rely solely on your account for updates. Social Security will also mail you letters about your case. If you receive a letter asking for information or documents, respond promptly — missing a important date can delay your case or result in a denial.

Your official Social Security Statement

Your My Social Security account includes your official Social Security Statement, a document that summarizes your earnings record, your estimated benefits, and important information about how Social Security calculates your payment. This is the document Social Security uses internally to verify your record and calculate your benefits.

You can read and print your Statement from your account. If you are explore for a loan, a mortgage, or certain government programs, they may ask to see your Statement as proof of your Social Security number and earnings history. Keeping a copy on file is useful for this reason.

Your Statement is updated once a year, usually in the fall. If you have made significant changes to your earnings or corrected an error in your record, the updated Statement will reflect those changes in the next annual update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my benefit estimate keep changing?

Your estimate changes whenever your earnings record changes. If you earned more this year than last year, your estimate goes up. If you had a lower-earning year, it may go down. Social Security recalculates your estimate based on the assumption that you will continue earning at your current level until you claim, so the estimate is always a moving target.

Can I see what my spouse or ex-spouse would receive based on my record?

No. Your My Social Security account shows only your own benefits. Your spouse or ex-spouse can log into their own account to see their estimate, which may be based partly on your earnings record if they are may have access to to spousal or survivor benefits. They cannot see your earnings record or benefit amount.

What if my earnings record shows zero for a year I definitely worked?

This usually means Social Security has not yet received the wage report from your employer or the IRS for that year. For recent years, there can be a lag of several months. For older years, it may mean your employer did not report your wages. Contact Social Security with your W-2 or tax return for that year, and they will investigate whether the wages were reported under a different name or Social Security number.

Is the benefit estimate I see the amount I will definitely receive?

No. The estimate is based on your current earnings record and the assumption that you will keep working at the same level. It also assumes current law does not change. Your actual benefit will be calculated when you claim, based on your final earnings record at that time. If you earn more before you claim, your benefit will be higher. If you earn less, it will be lower.

Can I correct my earnings record myself through My Social Security?

No. You can view your earnings record and identify errors, but you cannot change it online. You must contact Social Security by phone or in person with documentation of the correct earnings, such as a W-2 or tax return. Social Security will then investigate and update your record if the evidence supports the correction.