The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps track of individual’s earnings records. Earnings are reported to the SSA when you are working and paying FICA taxes. Your earnings will determine your eligibility for disability and retirement benefits. Your earnings will also determine if your spouse or children may be eligible any benefits on your record. The value of the benefits you or your family is eligible for is calculated using your earnings record.
Since your earnings record will determine your eligibility and benefit value of current or future benefits, it is important that your record is accurate. You can view your earnings record on your Social Security statement which is available on the SSA’s website.
Your earnings are not posted to your record by the SSA immediately. If you see that earnings are missing from this year or last year, it will likely be posted on your next statement. However, if there are earnings missing from earlier years there could be an issue. Earnings may be missing for the following reasons:
- Your earnings were reported by your employer incorrectly;
- Your earnings were reported by your employer with your incorrect name or Social Security number;
- Your name changed, but was never updated with the SSA; or
- You worked with a Social Security number that did not belong to you.
If you realize that earnings are missing, you should contact the SSA immediately. The easiest way to correct the error is by providing the SSA with your W2, tax return, or pay stubs from the missing time period. If you do not have these documents, you should determine:
- The name of your employer;
- Employment dates;
- Earnings; and
- The name and Social Security number you used during your employment.
After you have assembled the information, the SSA will attempt to verify the earnings and then update your record.
For additional information view the SSA’s publication “How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record.”
