Many people rely on Social Security as a major part of their retirement income. But did you know that your retirement pay could be reduced—or even missing—if you don’t check your earnings record regularly?
This guide will help you understand how to review, fix, and make the most of your Social Security benefits. Taking a few simple steps today can make a big difference to your future income.
Why Verifying Your Earnings Record Is So Important
The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your benefits based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If your earnings record has missing or incorrect information, your monthly benefit could be much lower than it should be. In some cases, you may even be denied benefits altogether.
Example: A Real-Life Mistake
Take the case of Maria. She worked many part-time jobs over her career. When she retired, she checked her earnings record and found that two of her jobs had not been reported. Because she caught the mistake, she was able to fix it and avoid losing $200 per month—an annual loss of $2,400.
How to Check Your Social Security Earnings Record
Step 1: Access Your Statement Online
You can check your earnings record by visiting the official Social Security website and logging into your “My Social Security” account. If you haven’t created one yet, it only takes a few minutes. Once logged in, go to the “Earnings Record” section to see what’s been reported each year.
Tip: The SSA suggests checking your record at least once a year, or whenever you change jobs.
Step 2: Look for Mistakes
Once inside your account, take your time to carefully review each year. Look out for:
Missing income from part-time or seasonal jobs
Mistakes in self-employment income
Any wages that may have been incorrectly reported by your employer
Step 3: Fix Any Errors
If you notice any problems, act fast. Here’s what to do:
Contact the employer who may have made the error.
Collect proof like W-2s, pay slips, or tax returns.
Reach out to the SSA through their helpline at 1-800-772-1213.
You may also send your documents by mail or schedule an in-person appointment.
Note: It can take several months to fix an error, so don’t delay.
How to Boost Your Social Security Benefits
Understand the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
If you have a pension from a job where Social Security wasn’t deducted—like some government roles—WEP may lower your benefits. But there’s a way to avoid this:
Work at least 30 years in jobs that do pay into Social Security. This helps you avoid penalties and protect your full benefits.
Delay Your Retirement
You can claim benefits as early as age 62, but you’ll receive a smaller amount. If you wait until your full retirement age (usually 67), you get 100% of your benefit. Delaying further—up to age 70—can increase your payment by about 8% per year.
Example:
John’s full benefit at age 67 is ₹2,000 per month. If he waits until 70, it becomes ₹2,480. That’s a 24% increase just by waiting!
Know Your Spousal and Survivor Rights
If you’re married, divorced, or widowed, you may qualify for spousal or survivor benefits.
Spousal Benefits: You could receive up to 50% of your spouse’s benefits.
Survivor Benefits: A widow or widower might get up to 100% of their spouse’s benefit after they pass.
Always check with the SSA to see what you’re eligible for.
Your Social Security benefits are a big part of your financial future. But to get the full amount you’re owed, you need to take a few important steps. Check your earnings record each year. Fix any mistakes quickly.
Understand how rules like the Windfall Elimination Provision work, and think carefully about when to retire. These simple actions can help you avoid losing money and enjoy a more secure retirement.
