Social Security: Check your statement online at any time

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Martin Coffey

Q. How can I get a copy of my Social Security statement?

A. If you are age 18 or older, you may get your Social Security statement online conveniently at any time after creating an account at www.socialsecurity.gov/ mystatement.

The statement provides estimates for retirement, disability and survivors' benefits, as well as a way to determine whether your earnings are accurately posted to your Social Security record.

Social Security sends paper Social Security statements in the mail only to people age 60 and older and, beginning

July 2012, to workers the year they turn 25.

If this applies to you, you should receive your statement about two to three months before your birthday. Also, you can get an instant, personalized estimate of your future retirement benefit using our online retirement estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

Q. I plan to retire soon. When are Social Security benefits paid?

A. Social Security benefits are paid each month. Generally, new retirees receive their benefits on either the second, third or fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on the day in the month the retiree was born. If you receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit payment date will be determined by your spouse's birth date.

Social security payments are made based upon the day of the month you were born.

• Those born on the 1st through the 10th of the month will get their monthly Social Security benefits on the second Wednesday of each month.

• Those born on the 11th through the 20th of each month will get their monthly Social Security benefits on the third Wednesday of the month.

• Those born from the 21st through the end of each month will be paid on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

For a calendar showing actual payment dates for 2012, see the Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/calendar.htm.

Q. Can I get both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security benefits based on my disability?

A. Many people eligible for Social Security disability benefits also may be eligible for SSI. The disability decision for one program is the same for the other, but you must meet additional resource and income limits to qualify for SSI benefits. Learn all about SSI and whether or not you may qualify by reading the publication, You May Be Able To Get Supplemental Security Income at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11069.html.

Submit questions to local Social Security Director Martin Coffey by writing to Business Editor Dave Flessner, Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by emailing him at dflessner@timesfreepress.com.