MARYVILLE, Missouri – Social Security is an essential benefit that individuals earn through their work history. It is crucial to regularly review your earnings record to ensure accuracy, as any inaccuracies could result in significantly reduced future benefit payments.
Even a single year of unreported work earnings by an employer can lead to a substantial loss in retirement or other entitled benefits. As time passes, it becomes increasingly challenging to access past tax documents, and some employers may no longer be able to provide necessary payroll information. Therefore, it is imperative to identify and report any discrepancies in your earnings record as soon as possible.
While it is the responsibility of employers to accurately report earnings to Social Security, individuals must also verify the completeness and accuracy of their lifetime earnings record. The most efficient way to do this is by setting up or signing into a my Social Security account on www.socialsecurity.gov and carefully reviewing each year of listed earnings using personal records such as W-2s and tax returns. Any errors should be reported immediately by calling 1-800-772-1213.
It is important to remember that important information like this can be accessed at any time on www.socialsecurity.gov, allowing individuals to conduct their business with Social Security online. Regularly monitoring and validating your earnings record is essential for ensuring that you receive the benefits you have earned over your lifetime.