National Social Security Month Shines a Light on Our Online Services
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
In April, we celebrate National Social Security Month, and highlight our agency’s mission and purpose. We’re with you throughout life’s journey — from birth, to marriage, and into retirement — and we’re always searching for ways to give you easy and secure access to everything we offer.
We are constantly expanding our online services to give you freedom and control in how you wish to conduct business with us. Our online services help you plan for the future and keep you in control of your benefits. You can go online to:
- Find out if you qualify for benefits.
- Use our benefit planners to help you better understand your Social Security protection.
- Estimate your future retirement benefits to help you plan for your financial future.
- Retire online, or apply for Medicare quickly and easily.
- Open your personal my Social Security account. Your personal account is the most powerful tool to help you stay in control of your Social Security record. If you don’t receive benefits yet, you can:
- Get your Social Security Statement to review your earnings, make sure they’re recorded correctly.
- Get a benefit verification letter to prove you don’t receive Social Security benefits or that you applied but haven’t received an answer yet.
- Request a replacement Social Security card if you meet certain requirements.
- Check the status of your application or appeal a decision.
If you receive benefits, you can:
- Change your address and phone number.
- Get a benefit verification letter to prove you receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare.
- Start deposits or change your direct deposit information at any time.
- Get a replacement Medicare card.
- Get a replacement Benefit Statement (SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S) for tax purposes.
Do you own a business? You can also use our Business Services Online suite to report employee wages and verify names and Social Security numbers for W-2s.
Join us and celebrate National Social Security Month by seeing everything you can do online!
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Tags: Medicare, my Social Security, my Social Security account, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
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Jewel F.
No matter what I do I am no able to create an online account. I stayed on the phone for over an hour this morning to find out I have to wait 24 hours before trying again.
Ray F.
Hi Jewel! We’re sorry that you had difficulty accessing your my Social Security account. If you are still having trouble accessing your account, please call our dedicated my Social Security-Hotline. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. Sometimes is best to contact your local Social Security office. Thanks.
Sharon R.
I am retired and 72 and have custody of my grandson age 3, Can I claim him as a dependant on Social Security and SSI? or must I loose any help with his care.
Ray F.
Hello Sharon, some people may have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income(such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) . Your question is an income tax question, and you will need to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.
John A.
I didn’t get my automatic deposit for April 2018.
I live in Ecuador. It normally comes on the 3rd of each month. It goes to my savings account # 9183030 at the bank of Guayaquil. My SS# *** – ** – ***.
Thank you for your help in solving the problem.
Ray F.
Hello John. We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact their local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.
Just a reminder – Please be cautious about posting personal information on any social media channels. Thanks!
Thomas H.
The “My Social Security” accounts is an excellent service. However, as a benefits recipient living abroad, the service was of no use when my benefits were cut off in February because I had not returned a form to the US, a form I never received. One would think that a notification of some sort would have appeared on my account but there was nothing to alert me that my benefits were in danger of being suspended. The only indication was an after-the-fact notice that I was “not receiving benefits.” Fortunately, the office in the Philippines was able to sort out the issue in a few weeks but the whole problem could have been avoided by a simple message on “My Social Security.”
Ray F.
We appreciate your feedback, Thomas. Your comments are well taken and we assure you that we are continuously working to further improve Social Security online services that we offer via our website http://www.ssa.gov.
We’re glad your situation was resolved. Please continue working with your local U.S. embassy or consulate. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. Thanks!
Nancy F.
I did not realize that that would be public, please remove my social and phone number right away…Thanks
Nancy F.
I would really like to get my SSA account back. You guys let Jim Freeman take over my account and reduce the amount that I was drawing under him. I have called at least 12 times and got 12 different answers. I want to get on my account, they blocked my account and I can’t even appeal until I know what I am talking about please help XXX-XX-XXXX nancy freeman (859)432-1113
AKA
Don’t post personal information on a public website.
Ray F.
Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Patricia C.
I have used the online site for awhile now and enjoy having it as it beats holding online for 15/20 minutes to get things done. The only thing you can’t do is get your salary that’s wrong changed…But everything you can see and do! I like having it…
Ray F.
Thank you for your comment, Patricia! We’re pleased we can help. To correct your earnings record you will need to go into your local Social Security office. When you go, you will need to provide proper ID and evidence of your correct earnings, such as W-2s, pay stubs, etc.
Please read our publication “How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record” for more information.
You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to make an appointment. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Patricia C.
Hi and thank you so very much..
I will certainly try that…I will call and/or email if I have any issues, however like I said I have used your site for awhile now.
Thank You
Ray F.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email.
A.D. W.
It’s a great time to remember that we all need to speak out and up to our congressional critters about how much we value the earned benefits we have paid into all our working lives. I’ve been paying onto the system since I was 14, and now there are political forces trying to gut our earned benefits (to “pay for” tax cuts for billionaires), and /or cripple the SSA or hand it over to Wall Street grifters.
This must NEVER HAPPEN! Too many of depend on this program in our later years, and if we become disabled. Make it clear to your reps that you will not support any candidate that votes to cut our earned benefits. This is completely UNACCEPTABLE.
Social Security is solvent and will be into the distant future with just a few tweaks, like raising the earnings cap on the Social Security tax, etc.
Don’t get complacent, folks – certain people have been gunning for your benefits for a long time, and now they’re more determined than ever. If you care about these benefits, SPEAK UP NOW!
AKA
There are no political forces trying to gut the SS program. So when you rant and rave to your Congressman, they treat your request as ravings from a maniac. Chances are it then goes into the round file or is sent to the FBI.
Ana M.
I am interested to know regarding about
what you mentioned in this message you sent to me thru my email..
Ray F.
Hello Ana, we do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. In April we celebrate “National Social Security Month”, see what you can do online at http://www.SocialSecurity.gov – Thanks!
Mary K.
Can I erase my post