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Obtaining Your Social Security Benefits Statement
There are several benefits available to eligible individuals through the United States Social Security program. One of the benefits that is given through this program are benefits for retired workers, their children and spouses as well as for surviving family members of decreased workers. Benefit verification statements and payment information is available online. If an individual is not already eligible, he or she is able to estimate his or her benefits and access Social Security Statements online.
In years past, the Social Security Administration would direct mail paper copies of individual’s annual benefit statements to working individuals who were contributing to the program. These statements would include annual earnings records and estimated benefits that could be expected through Social Security. Other information, such as details about how estimated benefits are calculated and other general facts about the Social Security Program, were also included in these annual statements.
In order to help better control spending, these statements are no longer mailed. Like many other government agencies, the Social Security program has moved its benefits statements online, which can be accessed through the website free. Now, millions of working individuals use this online service to verify and track annual earnings, access letters that serve as proof of benefits currently being received as well as estimates of Social Security benefits they may receive in the future. Additionally, individuals can make changes to their address and direct deposit initiation through this account.
In order to establish a “my Social Security” account, and individual must be 18 years or older and have a Social Security number, valid email address and U.S. mailing address. It is prohibited for an individual to make an account on behalf of someone else or supply identifying information for another individual. Failure to follow these rules may cause an individual to face criminal and/or civil penalties.
For individuals who may be victim to identity theft or have other reasons to fear that another individual will access their personal information, they are able to block electronic access to their “my Social Security” account. This will prevent anyone, including the account holder, from accessing personal Social Security information online or through the Social Security Administration automated telephone service. In order to unblock this access, the individual must contact the Social Security Administration directly.
Those individuals who are planning for retirement, already retired, or wishing to exercise their Social Security disability rights should consider creating and utilizing a “my Social Security” account online. The Social Security website is also available for those who have questions or need information about different benefits and entitlement. Social Security disability lawyers and the Social Security Administration office are also available to help individuals navigate their particular entitled benefits.