Viral PSA Explains Why You Should Print Your Social Security Statement ASAP

A woman has urged Americans to print out their social security statements as soon as possible.

Taking to TikTok, Stephanie Jane (@stephunnyjane) "highly implored" viewers to make a physical copy of documents that show their Social Security earnings to date.

"If you're an adult and you have had a job in the United States of America, this is for you," Jane said in her video, which drew more than 1.6 million views.

What is a Social Security Statement?

A Social Security statement contains important details about a person's earnings history, estimated benefits, and eligibility status for Social Security programs.

Specifically, it includes:

1. Earnings Record – A year-by-year breakdown of your taxable Social Security and Medicare earnings, which is crucial for verifying that your work history is accurately recorded.
2. Estimated Benefits – Projections for your future benefits.
3. Social Security Credits – A summary of how many work credits you've earned, which determine your eligibility for benefits.
4. Personalized Messages – Specific notes based on your age and work history.

In an email to Newsweek, Jane said she downloaded her own statement from her family's records.

"With so much uncertainty around data security and who has access to our personal information, I wanted to take proactive steps to safeguard mine," she said. "Relying solely on technology to store critical documents isn't always the best strategy. [...]

"By sharing the process, I hoped to encourage people to take control of their own information, ensuring they have easy access in case of any disruptions."

Why It Matters

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reportedly asked for private financial data from the Treasury Department, which could give him access to Americans' personal information.

The private agency requested access to the Treasury's government payment system, which includes social security checks and tax refunds.

Jane noted that it "would be extremely destructive to our entire country if this information was to be deleted".

"Your information belongs to you and no one else," she told Newsweek. "It's important to be proactive and advocate for yourself. Please don't wait for critical information to come to you, take the initiative to access and safeguard it."

Jane added that she was surprised by the response to her video.

"I hadn't realized how many people didn't know they could access and print their Social Security statements," she said. "The comments have been rolling in from people who had no idea this was an option, which just reinforces how important it is to share this kind of information."

How To Print Your Statement

Here's how you can print a physical copy of your statement.

1. Access Your Social Security Statement Online

You can view and print your statement by logging into your Social Security account:

1. Go to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website – https://www.ssa.gov.
2. Click on "Sign In to my Social Security".
3. Log in with your username and password (or create an account if you don't have one).
4. Once logged in, find and select "Social Security Statement" from the main menu.

2. Download or Print Your Statement

• Once your Social Security Statement is displayed, look for an option to download it as a PDF.
• Click on the "Print" or "Save as PDF" button on your browser to save or print a copy.

3. Request a Paper Statement (If Needed)

If you are 60 or older and don't have an online account, SSA automatically mails paper statements annually. If you need a paper copy, you can request one by:

• Calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
• Downloading and completing Form SSA-7004 (Request for a Social Security Statement) from SSA.gov and mailing it to the address provided.

Once you have your statement, you can print it from your downloaded PDF or directly from your web browser.