Go Online to Read Social Security Statements, But Do So Carefully, Allsup Says

secure it may be,” Blazier said. These individuals and those without online access can request a printed statement from their local Social Security office, she added.

The SSA also will mail paper statements to people age 60 and older who have yet to receive benefits, and will provide one-time mailed statements to 25-year-olds.

Online or Print: Check Statements Annually According to Blazier, whether people receive their statements online or in print, it’s essential to review the Social Security statement annually. She noted three tips when reviewing disability-related information: 1. Ensure accuracy of stated income amounts. The third page of the statement lists “Your Earnings Record.” Disability and retirement benefits are based largely on the number of years someone worked and the amount of Social Security taxes they paid. Employers are required to send the SSA a copy of employees’ W-2 forms each year, showing the Social Security taxes paid. However, the SSA may not receive the information or may enter it incorrectly. People should verify accuracy by comparing the statement to their own W-2 copy.

The SSA should be notified immediately of any mistakes. Otherwise, workers may not receive all the Social Security benefits they have earned.

2. Understand SSDI requirements and eligibility. The second page of the statement details “Your Estimated Benefits,” including whether the worker has earned enough credits to qualify for disability benefits and the estimated payment amount.

Every worker can earn up to four credits annually. Most workers must have earned 40 credits during the past 10 years to be eligible for SSDI benefits. Workers under age 31 may be eligible for disability coverage with as few as six credits in three years. The monthly payment amount shows the estimated amount the worker would qualify for if he or she became disabled. However, having a disability does not automatically qualify someone for benefits.

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, a person must be under retirement age and have a physical or mental impairment expected to prevent him or her from doing substantial work for a year or more, or result in death. Allsup’s online Disability Guidelines provides additional information.

3. Understand exceptions that can reduce SSDI benefits. Exceptions such as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) can reduce the estimated benefits listed. WEP is applied if a person also receives a pension from work and Social Security taxes were not deducted from pay. This applies most often to former government workers whose income was not subject to Social Security tax. In 2012, the WEP can reduce someone’s maximum monthly disability benefits by $383.50.

Anyone with questions about eligibility for Social Security disability benefits can contact the Allsup Disability Evaluation Center at (800) 678-3276 for a free disability evaluation.

ABOUT ALLSUP Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers.

Founded in 1984, Allsup employs more than 800 professionals who deliver specialized