Does Social Security track work history?

Asked by: Patrick Simonis  |  Last update: June 12, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (2 votes)

From your first job to your last, your employer verifies your Social Security number with us to help reduce fraud and allow us to keep track of your work history to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Open a my Social Security account to verify your personal earnings and watch your future benefits grow over time.

What shows up on a Social Security trace?

An SSN trace, also known as as Social Security background check, returns information related to a Social Security number. This information can include when and where the SSN was issued, as well as any associated names like aliases and maiden names.

What does Social Security keep track of?

We use your Social Security number to track your earnings while you're working and your benefits after you're getting Social Security.

How many years of work history is Social Security based on?

Social Security bases your retirement benefits on your lifetime earnings. We adjust or “index” your actual earnings to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Then we calculate your average indexed monthly earnings from your highest 35 years of earnings.

Is there a way to check your employment history?

Here are the steps you can take to find information about your employment history:
  1. Contact your previous employers. ...
  2. Check your state's unemployment office. ...
  3. Check with the Social Security Administration. ...
  4. Examine your tax returns. ...
  5. Check your credit reports. ...
  6. Keep your own records.

Why the Work History Form You Give Social Security is so Important

28 related questions found

Does SSN show employment history?

An SSN trace also doesn't provide comprehensive information about an applicant such education or employment history. It is therefore crucial that you conduct additional searches to verify the information reported by an applicant.

Can your employment history be tracked?

Employers and other entities typically use third-party background check companies to conduct background checks. These companies collect information from various sources, such as employment records, educational institutions, criminal databases, public records, and credit bureaus.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security?

If you become disabled before your full retirement age, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in five of the last 10 years.

How do I get my entire work history from Social Security?

Visit the Social Security Administration 's website and search for Form 7050. Download the form, and either fill it out on your computer or print it and fill it in by hand. Paper copies of Form 7050 are also available at your local Social Security office.

Can Social Security track your income?

SSA stores this earnings information as the Master Earnings File ( MEF ) and because it comprises IRS tax data, it is subject to IRS disclosure rules. This file contains data derived from IRS Form W-2, quarterly earnings records, and annual income tax forms.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

What does Social Security track?

What Income Is Included in Your Social Security Record? (En español) Only earned income, your wages, or net income from self-employment is covered by Social Security. If money was withheld from your wages for Social Security or FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act), your wages are covered by Social Security.

Does Social Security monitor my bank account?

The SSA checks financial accounts to confirm SSI recipients stay within eligibility rules, using tools like the AFI system for efficient oversight. However, the updates introduced in 2024 simplify some reporting requirements and provide flexibility for individuals relying on informal help.

Why are there two names on my background check?

An alias (sometimes called “also known as,” or “aka”) is any variation of a candidate's current legal name or a different name that's associated with the candidate, such as nicknames. Other common aliases are maiden names, hyphenated names, suffixes, or shortened names.

How far back does Social Security look at your work history?

How Many Years of Job History Does the SSA Look At? With your initial SSDI application, the SSA generally does not look further than 10 years back. However, if the SSA requires additional documentation for your application, they might want to look at 15 years of your work background.

Can Social Security find out your working?

Social Security will find out if you work, and you'll have to pay back any benefits you shouldn't have received. Social Security disability benefits are intended to help people who can't work because of physical, mental, or cognitive impairments.

Is there a database for past employment history?

There is no database of such information as with criminal records. Previous employment history is not a matter of public record. On the other hand, employers seek to uncover public records when conducting background checks. Employment history verification may be a fundamental influence on your hiring decision.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

Indeed, here are three ways you can lose at least part of your Social Security benefit.
  • No. 1: Keep working while taking benefits early. ...
  • No. 2: Be a substantially lower-earning spouse. ...
  • No. 3: Be alive in 2034. ...
  • Social Security still provides an important foundation for retirement.

What is the $943 Social Security payment?

Generally, the maximum Federal SSI benefit amount changes yearly. SSI benefits increased in 2024 because there was an increase in the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. Effective January 1, 2024 the Federal benefit rate is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple.

Does my wife get Social Security if she never worked?

A spouse who has never worked in paid jobs or has not worked to earn sufficient credits to be eligible for his/her own retired worker benefits can receive a spousal benefit that is 50 percent of the eligible worker's full benefit.

What if I lied about my employment history?

Lying on your resume may result in consequences such as termination or legal ramifications. Employers can tell you're lying on a resume by conducting background checks and contacting your references.

Does quitting a job show up on a background check?

Yes, the employment verification portion of a background check will show the reason you left a previous job if that information is provided by your previous employer. This could include termination, layoff, resignation, etc.

What is a red flag on a background check?

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.