What to Check in Your Social Security Account Before You Retire

There is a lot of overlap between deciding when you will retire and when you will access Social Security. Some people tap into Social Security shortly after retiring, while others use a bridge strategy to delay claiming benefits and maximize their future government checks.

Creating an account via the Social Security Administration’s websites can help you access some of the key information you need to make these decisions. It gives you estimates of how much you can earn, but it also lets you catch errors, compare claiming ages and avoid surprises before retirement decisions become permanent.

Check that your earnings record is accurate

The Social Security Administration will assess your work history and prioritize the 35 highest-earning years when calculating your benefit. Any incorrect or missing wages can translate into lower future checks, so it’s important to check this information before claiming benefits. You can review year-by-year earnings so you can see a snapshot of your information and verify if it is correct.

If you find any inaccurate information, you will have to gather applicable W-2 forms, tax returns, pay stubs and other proof for any of the years that are in question. Seeing this information can also help you decide if it makes sense to work a few extra years to replace low-earning years with high-earning years.

Compare your benefit estimates at different claiming ages

Your Social Security account also lets you see your estimated monthly benefit based on the year you plan to claim your benefits, which can help you identify the best time to claim. For instance, you can see what your estimated benefit will be at 62, full retirement age and 70.

The longer you delay Social Security, the bigger your monthly checks will be. Keep in mind that these planning tools are not guaranteed. Your benefits may be higher or lower than the estimate.

You can still influence your benefit if you continue to work. You can replace low-earning years with high-earning ones while giving your benefits more time to grow by delaying your claim.

Review personal details

It’s possible for Social Security to make mistakes when recording your information. That’s why you should check basic details other than your earnings information, such as your name, date of birth and contact information. Any errors can slow down your application.

However, it’s not just about checking your account to ensure everything is accurate. Your account can also reveal other programs and benefits you are eligible for, such as retirement, disability, survivor and Medicare-related benefits.

You should log into your account and review key details at least a few months before you are considering claiming Social Security. That way, there won’t be as much of a delay between your desired start date and when you start receiving checks.