How to Check on my Social Security Account

There have been a number of changes in Social Security laws over the past 20 years, including changes in retirement benefits becoming available. Now, benefits are available at age 62 or 70, each with a corresponding level of benefits availability and advantages.

Directions:

1. The Social Security Administration mails a benefits statement every year. It is a good idea to keep track of these and keep them in a safe, secure place. They offer a great deal of detail pertaining to work history and benefits, along with retirement scenarios based on the projected retirement year. They also offer information concerning disability, and how much you would receive for disability if you become disabled. You can use these statements to create an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of these figures, and how they change over time, with each successive benefit statement. You can see how much you earned each year that you have worked, and the amount of benefits you receive will change with each statement as you accumulate more income and work history.


2. Go to the Social Security Administration's website. You can log in and create password protected account information so that you can return and access your information at any time. You can also sign up to receive email notifications in the future.


3. You can sign on, once you have created an account at the website, by clicking on "My Account". You can then access your profile, including your entire benefits information any time you log on the website.