Accessing your My Social Security Account Online
The Social Security Administration stopped mailing annual statements in 2011. Currently a Social Security statement gets mailed only to workers age 60 and over who aren’t receiving Social Security benefits and do not have a My Social Security account yet. These statements are mailed three months prior to your birthday.
Why register?
By creating your My Social Security account, you will have access to the following things:
- Your Social Security statements.
- Your estimated future benefits.
- Your benefits are reported in today’s dollars meaning it’s what you collect if you were that age today. The actual amount will be in future dollars that are inflation adjusted.
- Ability to review the accuracy of your Earnings Record.
- Social Security base is your future benefits off of your lifetime earnings, top 35 years.
- Request a replacement Social Security card.
- Prevent fraud by keeping track of your records and identifying suspicious activity. Stay on top of such activity and deter others from claiming your account.
Once you start receiving benefits your My Social Security account will allow you to do the following:
- Get instant proof of your benefits
- Change your address and phone number
- Start or change your direct deposit information
- Request a replacement Medicare card
- Get a copy of your SSA-1099
In order to create an account, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a Social Security number
- Have a valid US mailing address
- An email address
Here is a helpful guide the Social Security Administration has created.
On this site you can:
- See when you full retirement age is
- Claim your account so that no one else can
- Verify your earnings history has been reported correctly.
Once you have created your account, we recommend you logon at least annually to verify your earnings history has been reported correctly. Also, we recommend that you have any children or grandchildren over the age of 18 register for their account, as well.
Social Security will likely make up only a part of the income you will need to replace in retirement. The remaining gap must be filled with your investment portfolio, pension benefits, annuities, and other non-retirement assets that produce income for you. Understanding Social Security and the benefits you are expected to receive is the first step in creating a solid retirement plan.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@westernreservecm.com.
Social Security Administration contact information:
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