You can find your Social Security benefits online in minutes by signing into your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Your account shows your estimated retirement benefits at different ages, your full earnings history, and any benefits you’re currently receiving. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one with a few pieces of identifying information. There are also options for people who prefer phone or mail.
Check Your Benefits Online
The fastest way to find your Social Security benefits is through your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Once logged in, you can see your Social Security Statement, which includes your entire earnings history and estimated monthly benefit amounts for retirement, disability, and survivors insurance. If you’re already receiving benefits, the account shows your current payment amount, payment schedule, and tax withholding details.
To create an account, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number. You’ll set up your login through one of two credential providers: Login.gov or ID.me. Both require a valid email address and will walk you through identity verification, which typically involves uploading a government-issued ID and answering security questions or using facial recognition. As of June 2025, Login.gov and ID.me are the only sign-in options for Social Security’s online services.
Estimate Your Future Monthly Payments
The Social Security Administration offers several free calculators, and the right one depends on how precise you want to be. The most useful for most people is the my Social Security Retirement Calculator, which pulls your actual earnings record and lets you compare estimated monthly payments at age 62, your full retirement age, and age 70. You can also plug in different future earnings amounts or a specific retirement date to see how changes affect your check.
If you don’t have an online account, the Quick Calculator gives a rough estimate using just your date of birth, this year’s earnings, and when you plan to stop working. It won’t be as accurate because it doesn’t use your real earnings history, but it’s a good starting point.
A few other specialized tools are worth knowing about. The Early or Late Retirement Calculator shows exactly how much your benefit drops if you claim before full retirement age or grows if you delay past it. The Earnings Test Calculator is helpful if you plan to work while collecting benefits, since earning above a certain threshold temporarily reduces your payments. And the Benefits for Spouses Calculator shows what a spouse can expect to receive based on your record. All of these are free at ssa.gov/benefits/calculators.
Request Your Statement by Mail
If you prefer a paper copy of your Social Security Statement, print and fill out Form SSA-7004 (Request for Social Security Statement), available as a PDF on the SSA website. Mail the completed form to the address printed on it, and you should receive your statement in four to six weeks. The statement contains the same earnings record and benefit estimates you’d see online.
Get a Benefit Verification Letter
A benefit verification letter is the official document that proves how much you receive from Social Security. Landlords, mortgage lenders, and government agencies often ask for one as proof of income. If you have a my Social Security account, you can download the letter instantly as a PDF.
You can also get one by phone. Call 1-800-772-1213, and when the automated system asks how it can help, say “proof of income.” The phone line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Spanish. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY line at 1-800-325-0778.
Find Survivor Benefits After a Death
If a family member who paid into Social Security has died, several people may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits based on that person’s work record. Eligibility depends on your relationship to the deceased and, in most cases, your age.
- Spouses: You may qualify if you’re age 60 or older (or 50 to 59 with a disability), were married for at least nine months before the death, and didn’t remarry before age 60. If you’re caring for the deceased person’s child, age and marriage length requirements may not apply.
- Ex-spouses: You may be eligible if your marriage lasted at least 10 years and you meet the same age requirements as current spouses.
- Children: Unmarried children qualify if they’re 17 or younger, or 18 to 19 and still in school full time through grade 12. Children of any age may qualify if they developed a disability before turning 22.
- Dependent parents: A parent age 62 or older who was financially supported by the deceased child may qualify.
Survivor benefits are not automatic. You need to apply, and the easiest way to start is by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local office. You can find your nearest office through the office locator at ssa.gov.
Visit a Local Office in Person
If you’d rather handle things face to face, or if you’re having trouble with online verification, every Social Security question can be addressed at a local field office. Use the office locator on ssa.gov to find the closest one by entering your ZIP code. Most offices serve walk-ins, but scheduling an appointment by phone can cut your wait time significantly. Bring a government-issued photo ID and your Social Security card (or at least your number) to any in-person visit.