§1320b–13 Social Security Account Statements

Summary

The Social Security Commissioner must give people a social security account statement if they ask, starting October 1, 1990. The statement shows the wages and self‑employment income the agency has on file. It gives estimates of the combined employer, employee, and self‑employment contributions for old‑age, survivors, and disability insurance and a separate estimate for hospital insurance (Medicare HI). It also gives an estimate of possible monthly retirement, disability, survivor, and auxiliary benefits and explains Medicare benefits under subchapter XVIII. If a person’s work looks like it might not be covered by Social Security, the statement must explain, in plain words, how rules in sections 402(k)(5) and 415(a)(7) could change their monthly benefits. The Commissioner must try to tell eligible people that the statements are available. By September 30, 1995, the agency had to mail statements to people who were age 60 by October 1, 1994, not getting Social Security benefits, and with a current address. In fiscal years 1995–1999, the agency must mail statements to people who turn 60 in those years and meet the same conditions. Starting October 1, 1999, the agency must send a statement every year to each eligible person not receiving benefits if a mailing address can be found. Statements for people under age 50 do not have to include retirement amount estimates, but must describe the retirement (including auxiliary) benefits available. For state or local jobs that are not covered by Social Security starting on or after January 1, 2005, the employer must give a plain‑language written notice before the job starts about how sections 415(a)(7) and 402(k)(5) affect benefits, and the worker must sign and return a receipt form before beginning work.