Manage Your Retirement Benefits (En español)

Effectively managing your retirement benefits is an ongoing part of retired life. A solid foundation for this includes understanding what you’re entitled to, staying up to date on program changes, and making sure we have your current information.

Know What You're Entitled To

Help ensure you get the retirement benefits you should by reviewing the basics—like how we determine your benefit amount and who else in your family might be eligible. Visit our Learn About Retirement Benefits page to make sure you know the basics of retirement benefits.

Stay Up To Date

With SSA.gov, there are a few ways to stay in the know on the latest Social Security information:

• Subscribe to our Social Security Matters blog to hear from us on tips, tools, and updates on Social Security issues important to you.
• Check our annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) updates and learn about any impact to your monthly benefit amount.
• Subscribe to our Email Digest for information to you on policy changes, agency news, and notifications on important events.
• Create your personal my Social Security account to receive important notices online through the Message Center. The Message Center is a secure, convenient portal where you can receive sensitive communications we don’t send through email or text.

When change happens in your life, letting us know ensures your benefits and information is kept up to date. Remember to tell us whenever there’s a change in your life circumstance that could affect your benefits.

Common changes to notify us of:

• Moving.
• Getting married or divorced.
• Changing your name.
• Adopting a child.
• No longer caring for a child who receives benefits.
• If you are a non-citizen and your status changes.
• Start getting a pension from work not covered by Social Security.
• Leave the United States for more than 30 days.
• Become unable to manage your funds.
• Are convicted of a criminal offense.
• The beneficiary dies.

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can update much of your information online with your personal my Social Security account.

If you need to make a change that cannot be done through my Social Security, you can contact us for additional support.

There are many time-saving options available to you. Here are our most popular online services:

• Check your application status.
• Set up or change direct deposit.
• Get a proof of income letter.
• Get a Social Security 1099 (SSA-1099) form.
• Request a replacement Social Security card.
• Opt out of certain mailed notices.
• Advanced Designation of Representative Payee.

We continue to expand the services available online. Visit our online services page to see a complete list, including the newest services to help you manage your information. You can also search our comprehensive FAQs section for help with specific retirement issues.

If you need help with managing your benefits and cannot find the answer or service above, visit our contact us page for other ways to get support.

Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious financial and identity-related problems. Protect yourself by securing your personal information, taking the time to understand the threat of identity theft, and exercising caution.

Protect Yourself From Fraud

Social Security is diligently working at national, regional, and local levels to combat the fraud that undermines our mission to serve the American public.

There are steps you can take to help protect your personal information:

• Do not routinely carry your Social Security card.
• Never say your Social Security number aloud in public.
• Beware of phishing scams (emails, internet links, texts, and phone calls) to trick you into revealing personal information.
• Create a my Social Security account to help you keep track of your records.
• Visit If You Want Extra Security to learn about extra verification steps we can add to your account.

Report Suspicious Activity

If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, hang up and then report details of the call to the Office of the Inspector General. You can do this by submitting a report online.