My Employer Did Not Report My Wages to Social Security
Ensure your work history is properly credited toward your future Social Security. Learn the official process for addressing and resolving reporting errors.
An employer’s failure to report your wages to the Social Security Administration (SSA) can affect your future eligibility for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, but the issue can be corrected. Employers are legally required to report employee earnings and remit payroll taxes. When this does not happen, it creates a gap in your official earnings history that must be addressed to ensure your contributions are properly accounted for.
How to Confirm Your Wages Were Not Reported
The most direct way to verify your earnings history is by creating a my Social Security account on the official SSA website. This service provides access to your Social Security Statement, which contains a year-by-year breakdown of your reported earnings. Review this statement for inaccuracies, such as years where the earnings are listed as “$0” when you were employed, or where the amount is less than you actually earned.
Compare the earnings on your statement with your own records, such as W-2 forms or final pay stubs. A significant difference indicates a potential reporting problem. If you cannot use the online portal, you can request a paper copy of the Social Security Statement by mailing Form SSA-7004, the “Request for Social Security Statement.”
Impact on Your Social Security Benefits
The reporting of your annual wages is directly tied to your eligibility for and the amount of your future Social Security benefits. As you work and pay FICA taxes, you earn Social Security credits. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 in earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year. A minimum number of these credits is required to qualify for benefits.
The SSA uses your average earnings over your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your retirement benefit. If years of work are missing or underreported, it can lower this average, resulting in a permanently reduced monthly payment for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits.
Required Information and Documentation for Correction
Before you can request a correction to your earnings record, you must gather evidence to substantiate your claim. The SSA requires proof of your employment and earnings for the period in question. The most important evidence is the Form W-2, “Wage and Tax Statement,” issued by your employer. If you do not have your W-2, you can request a copy from your employer or obtain a transcript from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using Form 4506-T.
In the absence of a W-2, other documents can serve as proof.
- Pay stubs, pay envelopes, or canceled checks that show your name, the employer’s name, and wage amounts
- Bank statements that clearly show direct payroll deposits from the employer
- An employment contract or hiring letter that specifies your salary and dates of employment
With your evidence collected, the next step is to complete Form SSA-7008, “Request for Correction of Earnings Record.” You will need to provide the employer’s full name and address, which should be available on your W-2 or pay stubs. The form also requires the exact dates you worked and the total amount of wages you were paid.
Steps to Correct Your Social Security Record
Once you have your documentation, you can initiate the correction process. You might consider first contacting your employer or former employer. Sometimes, a reporting error is an administrative mistake that the employer can fix by filing a Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, with the SSA. This can be the quickest path to a resolution but is not a required first step.
The primary method for correction is to directly contact the SSA. You will need to submit your completed Form SSA-7008 along with clear copies of all your supporting documents. It is recommended to send copies rather than original documents, as they will not be returned. This package should be mailed to the SSA’s processing center or you can schedule an appointment to submit it in person at your local Social Security office.
After you submit your request, the SSA will begin an investigation. This process involves reviewing the evidence you provided and may include contacting your employer to resolve discrepancies. The time it takes to complete the investigation can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case. You will receive an acknowledgment from the SSA and will be notified of the final decision once the review is complete.