Access Your Earnings History with my Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
It may have been years or even decades since you thought about how much you earned at your first job.
Did you know that you can find out how much you made that first year? Or any year you worked?
Your earnings history is a record of your progress toward your future Social Security benefits. We track your earnings so we can pay you the benefits you’ve earned over your lifetime. That is why it’s so important for you to review your earnings record.
You should review your earnings history and let us know if there are any errors or omissions, even though it’s your employer’s responsibility to provide accurate earnings information to us. Otherwise, you will not get credit for money you paid in payroll taxes, and your future Social Security benefits will be lower than you should receive. You’re the only person who can look at your lifetime earnings record and verify that it’s complete and correct.
If an employer didn’t properly report even just one year of your earnings to us, that error could reduce your future benefit payments. Over your lifetime, that could cost you thousands of dollars in retirement or other benefits that you’re entitled to receive. It’s important to identify and report errors as soon as possible. If too much time passes, it could be hard for you to get older tax documents. Also, some employers may no longer exist or be able to provide past payroll information.
The best way to verify your earnings record is to create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account. You should review your earnings carefully every year and confirm them using your own records, such as W-2s and tax returns. Keep in mind that earnings from this year and last year may not be listed yet. When you have a my Social Security account, we send you an email three months before your birthday to remind you to check your earnings and to get future benefit estimates.
You can find out how to correct your earnings record by reading our publication, How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record.
Start a conversation. Ask a family member or friend what their first job was and let them know they can find out what they made that year.
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Ronald K.
How do I get my records from when I started to pay into My social security from 1970 to present day? cant seem to access those ?
Sue
Hi, Ronald. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You can access your complete earnings record online through your personal my Social Security account. After you sign in and agree to the Terms of Service, select the blue Review your full earnings now link in the middle of the webpage. You can also view your earnings record on your online Social Security Statement, which combines your earlier years of earnings. We hope this helps.
Johnathon G.
I am trying to restate my social security benefits now that I got released from prison. How can I get my benefits back.
Sue
Hi, Johnathon. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. To reinstate your benefits, we’ll need to see your release papers. Please contact your local Social Security office. For more information, check out our Re-entering the Community After Incarceration – How We Can Help publication.
Casey
I don’t understand. This says two times to go to the social security site to check your work history, but doesn’t say where, or how to get there once you’re logged in. It’s simply not here. This article is pointless.
Sue
Hi, Casey. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You can access your complete earnings record online through your personal my Social Security account. After you sign in and agree to the Terms of Service, select the blue Review your full earnings now link in the middle of the web page. You can also view your earnings record on your online Social Security Statement, which combines your earlier years of earnings. We hope this helps.
Welles G.
How do I verify whether I have an active direct deposit account
Sue S.
My SSI statement is missing the year 2015. I have all of the documents required. Is there a site to upload these or do I need to visit a SSI office?
Sue
Hi, Sue. Thank you for reading our blog and for your question. If you do not receive or have not applied for Social Security benefits, you may be able to submit an online request to correct your earnings record using your personal my Social Security account. Once you sign into your account, select Review your full earnings record now. Provide the requested information and upload proof of your 2015 earnings, such as a W-2 form, tax return, or pay stub. You should receive a confirmation receipt in your Message Center inbox.
If you are unable to submit an online request to correct your earnings record, visit your local Social Security office. When you go, you will need to provide proper ID and evidence of your missing earnings. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions or read our How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record fact sheet. If you need assistance, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Dan
How do I get a copy of my earnings per employer? I believe it was possible to get a detailed report, but now it just lists the years and totals? Please advise
Ann C.
Hi, Dan. Thanks for your question. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information. We hope this helps.
peter
Hey Carrie. Thanks for your question. You can approach your earnings statement online at any time by creating a my Social Security account. With my Social Security account, you can review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record. by take my classes online
Dorothy F.
My work history does not show my Natural Guard or Army Reserve pay history included on my SSN WORK HISTORY.How is this corrected?
Ann C.
Hi, Dorothy. Thanks for visiting our blog. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Ronnie H.
Is there a third stimulus to come through you
Carrie R.
I need dates from previous work history. Can I find that in my SS report anywhere?
Thanks.
Ann C.
Hi, Carrie. Thanks for your question. You can access your earnings statement online at any time by creating a my Social Security account. With a my Social Security account, you can review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. We hope this helps.
Robin J.
I happen to need a copy of all my jobs where do I find them