What does an Earnings Statement summarize?

An Earnings Statement summarizes the earnings reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for evaluating benefits. This document reflects an individual’s work history and income, which are critical in determining eligibility for various Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. The SSA uses these earnings records to calculate the amount of monthly benefits that an individual may receive, based on their lifetime earnings history.

While benefits received from Social Security and taxes paid to the SSA are important aspects of the Social Security system, they are not specifically what the Earnings Statement summarizes. Additionally, employment status changes might be relevant for various aspects of Social Security but are not the focus of an Earnings Statement. Overall, the primary purpose of the Earnings Statement is to provide a clear summary of an individual's earnings history to help assess their benefits eligibility and amount.