Your statement comes in the mail each year, usually in December or January
Social Security mails your Social Security Statement once a year. Most people receive it in December or early January. The statement shows your earnings record, how much you have paid into Social Security over your working years, and an estimate of your current SSDI payment amount.
If you are receiving SSDI benefits right now, your statement also lists the exact monthly payment you are getting. This is different from an estimate — it is the real amount Social Security is sending you each month.
The statement arrives at the address Social Security has on file for you. If you have not received one by mid-January, you can create a my Social Security account online and view your statement there instead. This account also shows your payment history and lets you update your address if it has changed.
Key Takeaways
- Your annual Social Security Statement arrives by mail in December or January and shows your current SSDI payment amount.
- The statement lists your complete earnings record and how much you have paid into Social Security throughout your working life.
- You can view your statement online through a my Social Security account if you do not receive it in the mail.
- If your address has changed, update it with Social Security so future statements reach you and your payment does not get delayed.
- Your statement is informational only — it does not change your payment or require you to take any action.
What information appears on your statement
The statement shows three main sections. The first lists your earnings year by year, going back to when you first started working. This is important because Social Security uses your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your benefit amount. If you see an error in any year — a job you worked that is not listed, or an amount that looks wrong — you should report it to Social Security.
The second section shows your estimated benefits if you were to retire at different ages, or if you became disabled. Since you are already receiving SSDI, this section is less relevant to you, but it is still included on the statement.
The third section shows your current SSDI payment. This is the amount you should be receiving each month. If the amount on your statement does not match what is actually hitting your bank account or arriving by check, contact Social Security to find out why.
Why the timing matters for 2017 benefits
If you started receiving SSDI in 2017 or had a change to your payment in 2017, your first statement reflecting that year may arrive later than usual. Social Security processes benefit changes throughout the year, and the statement you receive in December or January reflects information that was finalized several months earlier.
This means a statement arriving in January 2018 would show your 2017 earnings and any benefit changes that took effect during 2017. If you started SSDI in mid-2017, the statement may not arrive until early 2018, because Social Security needs time to process and record the change.
If you need to know your exact payment amount before the statement arrives, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak with a representative. They can tell you your current monthly payment over the phone.
How to access your statement online
Creating a my Social Security account takes about 10 minutes and lets you view your statement anytime, rather than waiting for the mail. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a driver's license or passport number.
Once your account is set up, you can see your statement when ready. You can also update your address, phone number, and banking information for your SSDI payments. If your address changes, updating it online is faster than calling, and it ensures your next statement reaches you.
If you have trouble creating an account or do not have the documents needed to verify your identity, Social Security can help. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for information setting up your account.
What to do if your statement shows an error
Look carefully at the earnings record on your statement. If you see a year where you worked but no earnings are listed, or if the amount listed is much lower than you remember earning, write down the year and the amount you believe is correct. You will need to provide proof — usually a W-2 form or tax return from that year.
Contact Social Security and report the error. You can do this by phone at 1-800-772-1213, by mail, or in person at your local Social Security office. Bring your proof with you. Social Security will investigate and correct the record if they find an error. This matters because your benefit amount is based on your earnings record, so a correction could change your payment.
If you are correcting an error from several years ago, Social Security has a time limit — usually three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year the earnings should have been reported. After that, they cannot correct it. If you think an error is older than that, ask Social Security about your options anyway, because there are some exceptions.
Understanding the difference between your statement and your payment
Your statement shows what Social Security has on record. Your actual payment is what lands in your account each month. These should match, but sometimes they do not, and it is important to know the difference.
Your payment can be lower than the amount on your statement if you are working and earning over the limit, or if you have other income that affects your benefit. It can also be lower if you owe money to Social Security — for example, if you were overpaid in a previous year. Your payment can be higher if you have not received a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) yet, or if a previous underpayment is being corrected.
If the difference between your statement and your actual payment is large or unexplained, contact Social Security. They can tell you exactly why the amounts are different and whether anything needs to be fixed.
When to expect changes to your payment
Your SSDI payment can change for several reasons. If you return to work and earn over the limit, your payment may be reduced or stopped. If you have a medical improvement and Social Security reviews your case, your payment could change. If you reach full retirement age, your SSDI payment converts to a retirement benefit, but the amount usually stays the same.
Social Security sends a notice in the mail whenever your payment changes. Keep these notices — they explain what changed and why. Your next statement will also reflect the change. If you receive a notice about a payment change you do not understand, call Social Security and ask them to explain it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I never received a statement in the mail?
Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to view your statement online. If your address has changed, update it so future statements reach you. If you cannot create an account online, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask Social Security to mail you a new statement or read it to you over the phone.
Can I get a statement for a specific year, like 2017?
Your my Social Security account shows your current statement. If you need a statement from a specific year in the past, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to send you a historical statement. They can usually provide statements from the past five years.
Does my statement show how much I have paid into Social Security?
Yes. Your statement lists your earnings year by year, and Social Security taxes are calculated based on those earnings. The statement does not show the exact dollar amount of taxes withheld, but you can see that on your tax return or W-2 form from each year.
What should I do with my statement once I receive it?
Keep it in a safe place with your other important documents. Check the earnings record for errors. If everything looks correct and your payment amount matches what you are receiving, you do not need to take any action — the statement is informational only.
Will my 2017 statement show a cost-of-living adjustment?
If a COLA took effect in 2017, your statement will show your new payment amount. The COLA for 2017 was 0.3 percent, which was a very small increase. Your statement will show whether you received it and what your new monthly payment became.