Your Friend, my Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 6, 2023
Everyone knows the value of a good friend. They give you advice and console you when you’re in need. On August 3, Friendship Day reminded us to acknowledge the people who are closest to us by thanking, loving, and spending quality time with them.
Like a good friend, Social Security’s online services are always there to give you the support you need. Opening a personal my Social Security account is one of the first steps you can take to planning a financially healthy retirement. Simply go online to open or access your account.
With a personal my Social Security account, you can…
- Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year.
- Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working.
- Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them.
- Manage your benefits:
- Change your address.
- Start or change your direct deposit.
- Get a replacement Medicare card if you are a current Medicare beneficiary.
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
Remember, my Social Security is an ever-evolving resource. We continue to research, develop, and add features to better serve you. Our mission is to support you when you need it most. Part of that vital mission is to make it as easy as possible to apply for services when you might be going through hardship. As a friend, we want you to be ready. Join the 20 million people who are making their business with Social Security that much easier with a personal my Social Security account.
All great friends are good listeners, and Social Security is no different. We’ve collected countless messages from the public to craft our Frequently Asked Questions. These questions provide solutions to topics you care about like retirement, disability, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income. Through our many online resources, we listen to you so that we can continue to provide the world-class service you deserve.
Next time someone asks you, “Have you ever met a friend online?” You can confidently say, “Yeah… my Social Security.” We are here for you 24 hours a day, and we’re only a computer or tablet screen away. Now that’s a friend you can count on.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security, SSA
See CommentsAbout the Author
Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
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Tony S.
When I tried to blog the press release regarding the Social Security Matters blog Google news took down the article(s). I mostly wanted to congratulate Social Security Matters on being the best blog since Oprah Winfrey, so to speak. The not so free press blogs now rarely work, and are sometimes ruthlessly guarded. my Social Security account similarly doesn’t work, probably because I’m a beneficiary rather than an income taxpayer, but it really makes these official postings lame. I am planning on soliciting this blog until October by which time Congress, or you, SSA blog posting writer, must officially read and support my Free DIRT and OASDI WILL Acts, or I must unsubscribe from this black hole of meaninglessness, the true meaning of law phobic Timothy’s law that seems to keep the peace at this blog. I regret that if anyone responds to my blog postings I haven’t gone back and read these responses. The reading lag is a couple hundred pages and the most difficult mathematics ever. I am asking for an email if it is not easier for you to magically pass the Free DIRT and OASDI WILL Acts and officially transmit this information to the public. If you are a blogger just look for my email on Hospitals & Asylums website. We really need to pass the Actuary, Commissioner and Trustees (ACT).
RE: Health and Welfare. 9th Ed. Hospitals & Asylums HA-26-7-15 http://www.title24uscode.org/haw.htm
robert d.
I have been paying $200.00 to the Govt. for the past 8 years out of my SS benefits for a past over earnings. I was wondering is it possible to cease these payments as they continually cause a hardship on my family. Every month is scramble to pay bills. I would appreciate some help on this matter. I beliee the original sum owed was 20k.
Sincerely,
Robert Donato
R.F.
We wish we could be more help Robert, but for security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Your local office will be able to assist you in your request to stop collection or consider a lesser withholding amount from your benefits. For more information and to learn about appeals and waiver rights, read our publication on “Overpayments“.
If you still have questions, or need further assistance, you should call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday but you will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week.
eliedith
in general the more one puts into ssa the more they get when they retire or become disabled. also isnt it true that if one does retire or become disabled and works but makes less than SGA they can increase their ssa by putting more into the fund through FICA?
im a business prof and i use this info in the classroom
Vinette F.
I began getting Social security funds in 2002. I continue to work, in fact I never stopped working even though part time. Is my social security money increased because I am still working?
R.F.
Hi Vinette, the benefit amount that you’re receiving, is based on the amount of your average lifetime earnings. Generally, we use the highest years of earnings to calculate your monthly benefit amount. Still, each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefit amounts. We hope this information helps!
Elmer G.
I Would to know Two People Getting Married one on ssa and one on ssi what will be the loss of either one’s income if any
R.F.
Good question Elmer. For the person receiving Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, marriage does not affect his or her benefit. These benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. For the person receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), getting married may affect his or her benefit. This is because the amount of the SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income available to him or her and the spouse. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.
mark s.
get the corrupt people and corrupt government out of the SSA and do everything in your authority to regain the funds from the government and stop the blatant fraud of giving illegal aliens SSA & SSI & medicare & medicaid, they don’t deserve what other people have paid while they paid not one red cent.
tammy m.
I wanna know why some people get more than me.im on disability and Ssi…i only get 458.00 a mth…i do get less to about 200 a mth in child support….i don’t think its fair that I get less because of my child support for a child who turns 18 next yr…also would like to know why they keep denying her and she has mental issues and chronic asthma…..im thankful for what little I get but still unfair so many others get more…..i do pay bills etc too….
R.F.
Hello Tammy. The amount an individual can receive for his or her disability benefit depends on the amount on their average lifetime earnings. State laws determine a valid garnishment order, and we can withhold Social Security benefits to enforce your legal obligation to pay child support, alimony or restitution.
The Supplemental Security Income or SSI is a needs based disability program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources. We take into consideration any income and resources available to you when we establish your monthly (SSI) benefit amount, this is a reason why some beneficiaries receive more or less than others. We hope this explanation helps.
tammy m.
I don’t pay child support I receive it….so after she turns 18 and I no longer receive it does that mean I should get an increase in my mthly amount since I won’t have any other income?
R.F.
Hi Tammy! Sorry about the confusion. Again, the SSI benefit amount we pay you is affected by your
income, resources, and living arrangements. Your local office will conduct a “Redetermination” when you report the change of income to make sure that you are getting the right amount of SSI benefits.
Ruth C.
Will my pension from a previous job affect my SS retirement income?
R.F.
Good question Ruth! A pension based on work or earnings not covered by Social Security can affect the amount of your Social Security benefit. If this is the case, then your Social Security benefit can be reduced based on one of two provisions: The Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. A pension from a private industry based on work covered by Social Security does not affect your Social Security retirement benefit.
See our “Retirement Planner: Factors That May Affect Your Benefits” for more interesting information.
MJean
SS would be a friend if they stop wasting our money on fraud and on expensive ‘conference’ vacations for themselves!
Judy
If they didn’t go for the fraudulent people you and I would most likely get a whole lot less than we receive now. The fraud units save our states and federal government agencies actually save us from loosing even more money. Word of mouth with people like those gets out and we would loose far more.
Kira
cAN i FILE A CLAIM FOR MYY EX’S RETIREMENT PAY OR DO i HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE COURTS WHO GRANTED MY DIVORCE. oR CAN i USE ANY STATES COURTS.I WAS MARRIED FOR 20 YEARS TO A MAN WHO ABUSED ME JUST PRIOR TO OUR DIVORCE AND TOLD ME THAT IF HE LOST MY RETIREMENT I WOULD GET NOTHING.THE ALABAMA JUDGE LISTED IT AS ALIMONYDUEE TO ALABAMA LAW I LOST IT IN 1006 BECAUSE i used a po boxas my mailading address and my ficnae used the same po box. It was a very small town with limadited po boxes so i had no choicei am now legally blind.…..how do i get his retireadments pay. He hit me in the face with a wall phone as he was leavading. He didn’t even tell me he was leavading thea0area.please help ‚e////I worked very litadtle while a miladiadtary wife and am entiadtled to half of his retirement.
R.F.
Hello Kira, according to our rules, at age 62, an individual may be eligible for Divorced Spouse Benefits if he or she was legally married to the worker for at least 10 years before the date the divorce became final. We hope this information helps.
DAVID G.
I served 45 years in serving the United States and now am getting messed over by the United States. I served 25 years in the military and 20 years in civil service. I have ran into 2 very bad situations I do not think is right. After serving and paying Social Security over those 45 years the Social Security rules say unless my wife is a United States Citizen she cannot claim from my Social Security. I think I earned it and my wife should be able to claim it when she turns 65.There are others that have not served and wives have not worked at all and are allowed to draw on their husbands Social Security. Would you please help me with this?
My second request I am requesting help with is my wife will be able to claim the military SBP but the draw back is Social Security will take out 30% tax on it. I think that is a big exuberant, don’t you.
Thank you very much for any help you can give me!!
David Knutson
E:MAIL: toyotamr2gt@hotmail.com
R.F.
David, thank you for your service to our country as a service member and civil servant. If you qualify for Social Security benefits, your wife may be able to get benefits on your record — see “Benefits For Your Spouse” for eligibility information. She would also have to meet the requirements for non-citizens living in the United States. If you have specific questions, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Or, you can contact your local Social Security office. For information about the Survivor Benefit Plan or SBP, please contact the Department of Defense.
Delores
att jag surar om dom inte fattat det redan. För att skämma bort mig själv bakar jag lite e1;oppsi2s≵ och slänger in lite bullar till dom andra. Plötsligt känner jag att Sambon stÃ¥r bakom
poorman
I am glad I get social security, but I am also glad I get a private pension because social security isn’t enough to make it these days. I get $1592 from social security minus the $104, so that leaves me a mere $1488 a month. If not for the $1379 from my other pension we would be out on the street most likely. That’s $34,000 clear a year, but we still have to budget to make it.