Yes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends emails for annual statement reminders and account notifications if you opt-in, but beware of scams; legitimate emails come from a .gov address, while fraudsters send fake ones with malicious links to steal data, so always go directly to ssa.gov/myaccount to check statements.
The redesigned Statement now includes a bar graph displaying your personalized retirement benefit estimates at nine different ages, depending on when you want benefits to start. It also includes your earnings history, and information on how to report an error if you find one.
We also send informational emails about our online services. Also, if you have a personal my Social Security account, we send an email once a year, approximately 3 months before your birthday. This is to remind you to review your Social Security Statement online.
If you would like to receive your Social Security Statement by mail, please print and complete a "Request For Social Security Statement" (Form SSA-7004) and mail it to the address provided on the form. You should receive your paper Social Security Statement in the mail in four to six weeks.
The dollar amount increase to checks will vary depending on a person's benefit amount, but the average Social Security Retirement benefit, $2,008.31 in July 2025, will grow by about $56.
Since 1999, the Social Security Administration ( SSA ) has mailed an annual Social Security Statement to individuals aged 25 or older showing their reported earnings history. The Statement also provides workers with estimates of benefit amounts available under the Social Security programs.
A notice will be sent if your benefit amount or eligibility changes and/or terminates. For example, if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and changes in your living arrangement, other income, or resources affect your benefit amount, you will receive a notice each time your benefit amount changes.
The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million SSI recipients will begin on December 31, 2025.
After ceasing automatic mailings in March 2011, SSA resumed mailings in September of 2014, with two important changes. First, individuals with my Social Security accounts would receive reminder emails once a year to view their Statement online in place of a paper Statement in the mail.
The extra $144 added to Social Security usually comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which pays back some or all your Part B premium, showing up as extra money in your check if it's deducted from your Social Security. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium, live in a plan's service area, and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan that offers this "rebate," with the amount varying by plan and location.
Do you suspect someone of committing fraud, waste, or abuse against Social Security? You can submit a report online at oig.ssa.gov or contact SSA's OIG fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
SSA only sends text messages if you have opted in to receive texts from SSA and only in limited situations, including the following: when you have subscribed with SSA to receive updates and notifications by text; or. as part of SSA's enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.
Six Changes to Social Security in 2026
SSA OIG is advising you to always be cautious of responding to unsolicited emails that appear to be from an official government entity, such as SSA, or another federal agency. These emails are a variation of government imposter scams.
Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025.
The Social Security increase for 2026 is a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), announced by the Social Security Administration, raising average monthly benefits by about $56 for retirees and affecting nearly 71 million Americans starting in January 2026, with SSI payments beginning in late December 2025. This adjustment helps payments keep pace with inflation, though Medicare Part B premiums also increased for 2026, which is typically deducted from Social Security checks.
Yes, The Social Security Administration sends out the form SSA-1099 in mid to late January each year. If you did not receive the form they may not have your current address. Questions are answered within a few hours on average.