§1320b–13 Social Security Account Statements

Summary

The Social Security Commissioner must give a social security account statement to anyone who asks, starting October 1, 1990. Each statement shows the wages and self-employment income on file; estimates of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) contributions and a separate estimate for hospital insurance (Medicare) contributions; estimated monthly retirement, disability, survivor, and auxiliary benefits and a short description of Medicare benefits; and, for people likely to have noncovered government work, a plain-language explanation of how rules in sections 402(k)(5) and 415(a)(7) could change their monthly benefits. An “eligible individual” means someone with a Social Security number who is at least 25 and has earnings or records suggesting possible noncovered employment. The Commissioner must try to tell eligible people that statements are available. By September 30, 1995 the Commissioner must send a statement to each eligible person who was age 60 by October 1, 1994 and not receiving Social Security, if a current address can be found; similar mailings are required for people who turn 60 in fiscal years 1995 through 1999. Each mailed statement must say it is updated yearly and can be requested. Starting October 1, 1999, statements must be sent each year to all eligible people not receiving benefits if an address can be found. Statements for people under age 50 do not have to include retirement estimates but must describe the benefits available at retirement. For anyone starting certain state or local jobs on or after January 1, 2005 that likely do not count as Social Security “employment,” the employer must give a written, plain-language notice before work starts explaining how those jobs could affect Social Security calculations and benefits. That notice must use the Commissioner’s form and include a signature form that the worker signs and files with the employer and the pension or retirement system before beginning work.