Disability, General, Retirement, Survivors, Taxes

Join the 19 Million People Who Have my Social Security Accounts

July 2, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 6, 2023

A woman uses a computerAt some point in his or her life, almost every American will need, or will at least be eligible for, Social Security benefits. Our website has quickly become our newest hub for many of our customers to conduct their business with us.

Already more than half of our customers who apply for retirement or disability benefits, or who submit a Medicare claim, do so online.

Here’s why:

Our suite of online services is convenient, secure, and easy to navigate. And, we continually refine and add services.

Head to our website to find out what benefits you can apply for by using our screening tool to help identify all the Social Security programs you might be eligible for.

For example, if you applied for Social Security benefits, you can check the status of your application online.

You can also file an appeal on a decision made on your disability claim or get a replacement Medicare Card.

Maybe you want to know if you can get Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs.

What about using our Retirement Estimator for a retirement estimate based on real time access to your earnings record.

Create a free personal my Social Security account to see all the information tailored to you.

You can view your Social Security Statement and verify your earnings records, since missing or inaccurate information could affect the amount of your future benefit.

If you need information from us to complete business with someone else, we make some of that information available with my Social Security. Download a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season, or get a letter to verify that you are, or aren’t, receiving benefits.

If you receive monthly benefits, you can easily change the address and telephone number you want to use and start or change your direct deposit information.

If you are blind or visually impaired, choose alternate ways to receive information from Social Security – whatever works best for you.

Join millions who are using our online services. And, personalize your experience by creating a personal my Social Security account account today!

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About the Author

Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Ashley

    I have set up a payment plan with SSA for an overpayment. I recently made my first payment and the check still hasn’t cleared my bank. How long does it usually take from the time I pay my local office for the check to be processed and sent to my bank? Just wondering if I should pay with a money order from now on so I don’t have to worry about a check clearing every month.

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your question Ashley. Payments and remittances made to Social Security Administration are centralized and can take several weeks to clear your bank account. Perhaps, money orders may be a better alternative for you to avoid having to wait for your check to process through your bank account. Remember to keep records of your payments. Mailed payments should be sent to: Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 3430, Philadelphia, PA 19122-2992.

  2. Mary A.

    Hi. I’m 72 years old and am trying to find how many work credits I have so far. I have worked on and off for many years, and must be close to the required 40 credits but do not know how close. I reviewed the 1099 form and it doesn’t say how many credits I have. I have an SSA account and have looked everywhere. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

    • Ray F.

      Hi Mary Ann, please call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for assistance. Representatives are available between 7a.m. and 7p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!

  3. AJ

    My daughter is a minor and I’m the payee for her survivor benefits. If she can’t have her own mySSA account and her benefits don’t show up on my account, how am I supposed to manage her account and information?

  4. Michele

    My husband recently received a statement from SSA and noticed that he is not eligible for disability due to lack of credits. He is a self employed farmer. We recently had our taxes for last year prepared and asked our taxpreparer if he has been paying in for him each year. We were totally surprised when he said he hasn’t since 2006! Can anything be done about this? Can he back-pay to receive those credits? He is 56 years old.

  5. Zeeshan

    How to open a socialsecurity in india ?

    Please help me

    • Jenna Y.

      Hello and thank you for taking interest in our online services. You must have a U.S. mailing address to sign up for a my Social Security account. However, you can also contact your local Embassy or Consulate to find out information about your benefits.

    • Ray F.

      Hi Zeeshan, if you’re referring to opening or creating a “my Social Security account”, you must have a U. S. mailing address to create or to access your online account. The “my Social Security” authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for creating 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 assistance related to Social Security benefits. We hope this information helps!

  6. Michelle

    Hello, Will filing my taxes “Married filing Separately” in a community property state affect my social security benefits?

    • Ray F.

      Hi Michelle, for any income tax related questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.

      • Michelle

        thank you. I just wanted to know if/how my “Social Security Benefits” could be affected?

  7. Ogwal

    Here is my situation: I live outside USA. Six years ago, my company businesses’ were brought down for reasons which are inexplicable here, and I haven’t gotten any other sources of earnings or business at all. If I opened a my social security account and wouldn’t be able to remit my SS taxes, how will the law affect me.

    • Ray F.

      Hi Ogwal, at this time you must have a U. S. mailing address to create or to access your online account. 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. For tax related questions, you will need to contact the IRS. We hope this information helps!

  8. willie

    I ‘m 68 and applied for social security and I was told that
    I do not qualify because I only have 39 points. What can I do to get the one point I need?

    • James L.

      Willie, points or Social Security Credits are the “building blocks” we use to find out whether you have the minimum amount of covered work to qualify for Social Security benefits. Benefits cannot be paid if you do not have enough credits. This year (2015), you must earn $1,220 in covered earnings to get the 1 additional credit you need. If you work for an employer, we count your gross wages; if you are self-employed, we count your net earnings. You will need to return to your local office with proof of your 2015 earnings, and apply again for your retirement benefits.

  9. Matthew G.

    I was overpaid and had to repay S/S. I sent a check in envelope supplied by S/S in May. Contacted S/S twice in May And June. They told me I shouldn’t have sent payment to national s c. I should have paid local office. I went to local office to find out why check hasn’t been cashed yet. They should me a printed paper saying the check was received and paid in full. So far check has not been cashed. why does it take two months to cash check that has been received?

    • James L.

      Matthew, sorry for the inconvenience. It can take up to three months to complete this type of transaction, but your check should be cashed or clear soon after your payment is reflected on your record. Unfortunately we do not have access to personal information on this blog – we encourage you to continue working with your local office for further assistance.

  10. Keith

    My question concerns the “Disability” Social Security “Trustfund”. I was not aware there was a separate disability trust fund until last week. In the news lately has been reports that the disability soc sec trust fund will run out of money in 2016. My question is: Where do the current funds come from that go into the disability trust fund? Is it a percentage of the funds that go into the “regular” soc security trust fund? Thanks.

Comments are closed.