13 Common Social Security Statement Errors (And How to Fix Them)

The days when you received your Social Security statement in the mail are long gone (paper statements were mostly eliminated in 2011), and if you're not yet receiving benefits, be aware that things have changed. You're now required to create an account on the Social Security website to review your statement online. While this is more convenient in theory, in practice, it makes it easy to forget.

To ensure a stress-free retirement, you really should check your statements for errors on an annual basis, because the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the information included in your statement to calculate your benefits. Errors that go uncorrected could result in you receiving a smaller check in your retirement, reduced disability payments, and other problems.

To help you know what to look for, here are 13 of the most common Social Security errors to look for and how to fix them.

Your Social Security benefits are calculated based on an average of your 35 highest-earning years. If your statement is missing some of this salary data, you could receive far fewer benefits in retirement.

To address missing earnings, gather proof of your earnings. That means W-2s, tax returns, pay stubs, and other records. Then, submit a Request for Correction of Earnings Record (Form SSA-7008) to the SSA.

One of the most basic yet crucial facts to verify is that your name, date of birth, and Social Security number are all accurate and up-to-date. A simple typo could cause your earnings to be credited to the wrong person.

If you find an error, contact the SSA. As with all errors on this list, you can initiate the process by either calling the Social Security helpline, visiting a local office, or submitting a request online. You may need to provide original documents, including your birth certificate and Social Security card, to verify your identity.

Even if all your years of work are listed, the earnings themselves might be wrong. This can occur if your employer misreports your income or if there is a clerical error.

Just like with missing earnings, you'll need to provide appropriate proof of your earnings to the SSA to address the issue.

If you've changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason, you need to report it to the SSA. If you don't, your earnings may not be accurately credited to your account.

You'll need to fill out an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) and provide proof of your legal name change.

If you're self-employed or have had some side jobs, you're responsible for reporting your earnings to the SSA via your federal income tax return. If you forget or do it incorrectly, your earnings may not be reflected on your statement.

The proper way to fix this issue is to file amended tax returns for the years in question so that the SSA is aware of all your self-employment income.

Your work history determines your eligibility for benefits. If there are gaps in your work history that shouldn't be there, it could affect your eligibility.

You'll need to provide evidence of your employment, such as letters from your employers or copies of your employment contracts.

If the SSA has the wrong start date for your benefits, it could lead to you receiving more or less money than you're entitled to. Benefit start date errors are typically the result of typos and can be easily corrected.

Check your benefit start date on your online Social Security account and contact the SSA if you notice an error.

Social Security benefits are calculated from a complex series of formulas. For example, the SSA might use the wrong "bend points" (income thresholds) to calculate your benefits. If you suspect a calculation error, make an appointment with the SSA to review benefit calculations.

There's a limit to the amount of earnings you pay Social Security taxes on each year. Any earnings above this limit should not appear on your earnings record.

If you notice earnings above the annual limit on your statement, contact the SSA to have them corrected.

If you served in the military, you may be eligible for special earnings credits. Make sure these credits are reflected in your statement. Provide the SSA with a copy of your military service record (DD Form 214).

In rare cases, your earnings record may be mixed up with those of someone else with a similar name or Social Security number.

Contact the SSA immediately to resolve the confusion. You'll likely need to provide your birth certificate and other documentation to verify your identity.

Your birthdate determines your full retirement age. An incorrect birthdate could cause you to receive lower benefits if you retire "early" based on the wrong information. You'll have to provide the SSA with your original birth certificate to correct your records.

The biggest error of all is not the SSA's fault. It's that you're not regularly checking your Social Security statement for inconsistencies. By the time you discover a mistake, it may be too late to correct it.

If you haven't already done so, create a My Social Security account online and start checking your statement annually.

Social Security benefits are a vital part of your retirement plan, so your records need to be accurate. By regularly reviewing your Social Security statement and correcting any errors, you can ensure that you receive the maximum benefits you're entitled to.

Generally, you have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of a given tax year to correct any problems that appear on your updated statement. However, there are some exceptions, so it's always best to act as soon as you spot an error, even if it's years later.