What if my earnings record has errors?
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
Published by Senior Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0
Because your benefit is computed from your recorded earnings, missing or incorrect wages can shrink or even disqualify your benefit, so check your Statement and report errors to SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or at a field office with evidence such as W-2 forms, pay stubs, or tax returns. The law sets a general time limit of 3 years, 3 months, and 15 days after the year in question, but SSA can correct the record after that in many situations, including clerical or mechanical errors, fraud, or when you supply acceptable evidence of the wages. New earnings post each year after employers file W-2s, so review your record annually.
What the government has said, on the record
“If a worker's earnings are not properly recorded, he or she may not qualify for Social Security benefits or the benefit amount payable may be wrong. ... We encourage workers to review the Statement to ensure that the information in SSA's records is correct and to contact SSA to make any corrections necessary”
— James B. Lockhart III, Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency (2008-2009); earlier Deputy Commissioner of Social Security, Joint hearing on Strengthening Employer Wage Reporting, House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security and Subcommittee on Oversight, 2006-02-16 (source)
Editor's note: none
Who said this
James B. Lockhart III — Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency (2008-2009); earlier Deputy Commissioner of Social Security (current).
Also asked as
- What if my earnings record has errors — plain answer
- What if my earnings record has errors.
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Last verified: 2026-07-18