Use this tool to help you figure out what your benefit amount could be when you retire.
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
Expertise Personal Finance: Social Security and taxes
After the news of the Social Security fund reserves potentially running out in the next 10 years, you may be concerned about the future of your benefits. While we wait to see what happens, we recommend signing up for a My Social Security account to access your benefits information. Not only does it show your expected benefit amount for when you retire, but it can also provide you with useful information about your Social Security status. Plus, you can use the tool to file retirement or disability applications.
Your account will show you your current or expected future benefits based on your expected retirement age and your work history. You can also get documents for filing your taxes, request a benefit verification letter or change your mailing address and other personal information.
Here’s how to access your Social Security benefits online, and what sort of information and features you’ll be able to access with your My Social Security account. If you receive benefits now, here’s the Social Security payment schedule.
Create a My Social Security account
To see all of your Social Security benefits online, you’ll first need to create a My Social Security account. Here’s what to do.
1. Go to ssa.gov on your browser, then scroll down and click Learn about my account next to my Social Security account.
2. Next, click Create an Account.
3. You’ll be prompted to sign in with your ID.me account or login.gov account unless you created an account before Sept. 18, 2021. Note that you’ll need to create one of those accounts if you don’t have one.
4. Once you have an account, you’ll need to agree to the terms of service to continue.
5. Next, you’ll need to verify your identity. The Social Security Administration will send a one-time security code to your email that you’ll need to enter within 10 minutes to continue to your account.
You should now have access to all of your Social Security statements and other details online.
Social Security information you can see online
When you sign in to your online account, you’ll be able to view your Social Security statements. If you don’t yet receive benefits, you’ll see an estimate of the amount you could receive when you do retire.
There’s a table that shows your monthly benefit amounts if you retire. For example, if you were born in 1960 or later, your chart may show retirement at 62 years old (early), 67 years old (full) and 70 years old (delayed). Note that these retirement ages may change in the future. The longer you wait to retire, the more money you could receive per month.
You can also see your eligibility and earnings information. If you’ve worked at least 10 years, you’ll have enough work credits — you need 40 — to receive benefits. If you click on Review your Earnings Record, you’ll see your taxed Social Security and Medicare earnings for each year you worked.
What else can you do with a My Social Security account?
There are several things you can do from your My Social Security account.
- Request a Social Security card replacement.
- Start your retirement application.
- Start a disability application, if you’re unable to work for one year or more due to a medical condition.
- Calculate benefits for a current or former spouse, based on your earnings record.
- Check the status of your retirement or disability application.
- Request a Benefit Verification letter showing your payments or lack thereof.
- Report your wages if you work and get Social Security Disability Insurance.
Want more Social Security information? Here’s how to know if it’s safe to share your Social Security number.
