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Get to Know Your Social Security

December 14, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

man reading on laptop in kitchen Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American. We’ve been with you from day one, when your parents applied for your Social Security number, and we are with you from your first job through your retirement party and beyond.

For more than 80 years, Social Security has stayed true to its mission of providing financial protection for the American people and has served as one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in our nation’s history. We encourage everyone to take steps toward their financial security. Regardless of your age or place in life, now is the right time to start planning for a financially secure future for you and your family.

Everyone can benefit from our first step: Get to know your Social Security. You can start your journey through all things Social Security by visiting our website and navigating through our menu.

Along the way, you’ll see how your Social Security number opens many important doors throughout life, from making it easier to apply for student aid and open your first bank account to starting your first job and buying your first house. You’ll also discover how your contributions to the Social Security system through FICA payroll taxes can make you eligible for important future benefits when you reach retirement age or if you become severely injured or ill.

You’ll find how Social Security helps your family in the form of survivor benefits and how our Supplemental Security Income program assists disabled children and our most vulnerable adults.

We also encourage you to visit our website and set up your own personal my Social Security account today so you can begin taking steps toward financial security.

Through our website and your online account with us, you can:

  • Verify your lifetime earnings record to ensure you’re getting credit for all your contributions toward Social Security and Medicare.
  • Estimate future benefits for you and your family.
  • Manage your Social Security benefits and personal information.

We encourage you to visit us online.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Joseph

    Are we going to get a two percent raise in Jan.?
    If this is true how do you calcuate it, b/4 taxes and medicare or after.

  2. Lesly F.

    I AM OUTSIDE OF ECONOMIC OF UNITED STATES THANKS SOCIAL CECURITY ADMINISTRATION INC…!I DIDN’T WORKING IN THIS COUNTRY TO GET ANYTHING FROM UNCLE SAM OR FROM TAXATION PAYERS….!

    • John S.

      That is the way this system works….work enough quarters , get the coresponding credit, and apply when this criteria is met……………..

  3. Albert P.

    Thanks.

  4. Albert P.

    I live in Cuenca, Ecuador. I have not been able t receive my year-end statement(to file taxes. I did receive a notice acknowledging my address change when I first came here in Jan. of 2016. However, nothing since. I cannot use the “My Social Security ” site because I do not live in USA. The mail situation is atrocious!
    What can be done?

    • R.F.

      We are sorry for the inconvenience, Albert. The “my Social Security” authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for issuing an account. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address yet. Please contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to your Social Security benefits.
      Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps!

  5. kenneth t.

    change of address/POB30-Changmai-Thailand 50201

  6. kenneth t.

    trying to change address in Thailand/consulate will not do it/sent many emails to Phil 4796

  7. jamiefreemansaks

    I need someone to callme back at 3156375951 about the pay for 2018 and if I can get extra help for prescription drugs somne people get more than ido etc

    jfs

  8. Colleen M.

    I cannot log into my Social Security website to discover my benefits. I accidentally locked myself out because I had forgotten my password. In order to unlock it, I must provide a USPS address. As I am homeless, this isn’t going to happen. How can I log back in?

    • Jeff

      If you don’t have an address to get a temporary password mailed to you, you can always go to your local Social Security office with I.D. (a drivers license, state I.D. or U.S. Passport) and they can issue you a temporary password on the spot.

      Another option is, you can go to the login screen for the MYSSA account and under where you would put your password, you can click the “Forgot Password?” button.

      You would then put in your personal information and then click next. Then your 3 security questions that you picked when you first set up the account will come up. If you can successfully answer those 3 questions, the system will then let you make a new password.

      I hope this helps.

      • R.F.

        Individuals can speak to a Social Security representative for help with a my Social Security account between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Toll-free: 1-800-772-1213 After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” please say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account.
        Note: Although our regular telephone service representatives are not available after 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, our Help Desk representatives can assist you until 12:00 midnight Eastern Time. TTY (for deaf or hard of hearing) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.: 1-800-325-0778. Thanks!

  9. Bernice K.

    Not happy about Medicare taking all my 2% raise except for One Dollar…

    • Snarky

      There must have been a rounding error, we were supposed to take all of your raise. I’ve got people looking into this. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

      • Martha S.

        Medicare is separate from SS, but I also am cynical because of all the Fraud and government mismanagement that steals our tax dollars! And the Medicare raise from $109 to $132 did take All of my 2% raise of SS! So of course Fed Gov Sucks!!

        • Tommy

          There are so many people who have to pay much more for their insurance than you do. In addition, they are effectively paying for your Medicare and SS right now. Let’s all be thankful for what we have.

          • Jor

            We paid all our lives into the system.

  10. Bernice K.

    not happy about Medicare taking all my raise except 1 dollar…..

    • Valeria

      I know. Today is 12/30/17 and I get my check 3rd of the month. My bank balance shows that SS made a deposit pending the 2nd of Jan 2018 for $243! I don’t know what this is for, especially since it is short by $1,029! Can’t call either, they’re closed! I’m terrified!

Comments are closed.