SLEDGE: What is a Social Security statement?

Ned Sledge is a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Richmond. Questions about Social Security issues may be directed to him by e-mailing .
Published: September 3, 2008

Q: What is a Social Security Statement, and how can I get one?
A: Your Social Security Statement is an important document that can help you plan for your retirement. It includes a record of your earnings each year and provides retirement benefit estimates using different retirement scenarios. The Statement also shows estimates of disability and survivors benefits for you and your family in the event that you become disabled or die.
Most workers automatically receive a Statement in the mail each year about three months before their birthday. But if your earned income is low enough that you don’t need to file a tax return, or if you’re younger than 25 years old or are already receiving benefits, you won’t receive an automatic Social Security Statement.
If you need a Statement, though, you can request one. Just go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement. There, you can learn more about the Social Security Statement and ask to have one mailed to you. Keep in mind, however, that if you ask to have one sent to you after you had already received one automatically, the next scheduled automatic Statement will be canceled. You’d then receive your next automatic Statement in the following year.
For more information, read the Social Security Statement page at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/
mystatement. For general information about Social Security, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).