Create an Account and View Your Benefits Online

SSA continues its foray into the digital age by making it easier for Americans to view their personal SSA information online. When you visit http://www.ssa.gov/mystatement/, you can create an online account that will allow you view the following:

1.       Estimates of the retirement and disability benefits you may receive;

2.       Estimates of the benefits your family may collect if you become disabled or die;

3.       The earnings you have accumulated over your lifetime according to SSA’s records; and

4.       The taxes you have paid into Social Security and Medicare

This information is very important to review to assure its accuracy. It is advisable to check your personal SSA information periodically to make sure your earnings are posted correctly, and report any errors to SSA promptly. Failure to do so can result in issues in the future when you attempt to collect disability or retirement benefits. You may also print this information for your paper records.

Since 1999, Americans have relied on receiving the familiar green and white SSA statements that would be mailed to their homes once per year. These forms would often be misplaced or sometimes not received at all. Now that the information can be viewed online, anytime, it is easier, more convenient, and surprisingly more secure.

Americans will also have easy access to important information that may answer some of their common questions related to collecting disability or retirement benefits. Along with the personal information, your account also includes:

1.       Information about qualifying and signing up for Medicare;

2.       Things to consider for Americans age 55 and older who are considering retiring;

3.       General information about Social Security for everyone; and

4.       The opportunity to apply online for retirement and disability benefits*

Creating an account is as easy as creating any other online account. SSA will ask for personal information including your name and Social Security number to match you up with their records. You will then create a user name and password and also be asked to set up security questions to protect your account further. SSA has also contracted the credit reporting bureau, Experian, to provide additional verification. You may sign in to view this information as often as you wish.

There are some exceptions to the online rule, however. Beginning in February of this year, SSA resumed mailing paper statements to people aged 60 and older until they begin to draw retirement benefits. Younger workers will receive one paper statement when they turn age 25. If your identifying information does not match SSA’s records when you try to create an account, you may request having a paper statement mailed to you. You may also take a physical piece of identifying information to your local field office to have them set up an online account for you, should you run into difficulties online.

This is another exciting step SSA has taken in regard to its strategic plan for the 2013-2016 fiscal year. With more and more services going online and becoming available to the public, it will be interesting to see what SSA has planned to do next.

*= SSD applications only. SSI applications must be made in-person at a local field office.

Written by Anna Westfall & Attorney Andrew November

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