{"id":353891,"date":"2023-09-08T14:35:30","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T19:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/socialsecurity\/basics\/understanding-your-social-security-benefit-statement.html"},"modified":"2026-03-17T10:52:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:52:49","slug":"understanding-your-social-security-benefit-statement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/socialsecurity\/basics\/understanding-your-social-security-benefit-statement.html","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Your Social Security Benefit Statement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Understanding Your Social Security Benefit Statement<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

The Social Security Administration (SSA) mails estimated benefit statements to workers of various ages. These estimates are for workers who don’t yet receive Social Security benefits. They also haven’t registered for an online "my<\/i> Social Security" account.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

It’s important that you carefully review your Social Security statement. Your benefit statement contains information to make financial decisions for retirement planning.<\/p>\n

You’ll need to make sure your statement is accurate. Unfortunately, you may find out that your statement has an error. Fix any errors promptly to protect your potential future benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read on for tips to help you better understand your Social Security benefit statement. If you need help planning for retirement or applying for benefits, a Social Security attorney<\/a> can give you personalized advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Is a Social Security Benefits Statement?<\/h2>\n

Your Social Security statement is a document that summarizes your current record with the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can use the statement to find out what benefits you might expect for retirement. You can also see the benefits you or your surviving family members<\/a> would receive if something happened to you, such as disability or death<\/a>. You can also see how much longer you might have to work before you qualify for these benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Understanding your possible Social Security benefits can help you plan ahead. For example, you can get an idea of how much more income<\/a> you’ll need for your retirement years. You can then fund your 401(k), IRA, or another type of retirement account<\/a> to save your money accordingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Your Statement Contains<\/h2>\n

Your\u00a0Social Security<\/a>\u00a0benefit statement includes two primary components:<\/p>\n