By Jason Alderman

Call it a paperless experiment that didn’t quite pan out. In 2011, a budget-strapped Social Security Administration (SSA) stopped mailing annual benefit statements to workers over 25 in order to save $70 million on annual printing and mailing costs.

In return, the agency launched the “my Social Security” online tool that allows 24/7 access to your statement, as well as other helpful information. (Your statement shows a complete record of your taxable earnings as well as estimated retirement, disability and survivor benefits.)

Although more than 13 million people have opened accounts, that’s only about 6 percent of the American workforce. With millions of Baby Boomers at or approaching retirement age, Congress was justifiably concerned that not enough people were accessing this critical retirement-planning tool.

That’s why this month SSA will resume mailing paper statements every five years to workers from ages 25 to 60, provided they haven’t already signed up for online statements. The expectation is that more people will migrate to electronic services over time, as Social Security continues to close field offices and reduce in-office paperwork services – thanks to years of funding cutbacks.

The paper statements are a good first step, but creating an online account allows you to log in anytime and:

• Estimate retirement, disability and survivor benefits available to you under different work, earnings and retirement-age scenarios.
• Estimate benefits for which your family would be eligible when you receive Social Security or die.
• View a list of your lifetime earnings to date, according to the agency’s records.
• See the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid over your working career.
• Find information about qualifying and signing up for Medicare.
• Review topics to consider if you’re 55 or older and thinking about retiring.
• Read general information about Social Security.
• Access calculators to estimate your projected benefits under different scenarios.
• Apply online for retirement and disability benefits.
• Access a printable version of your Social Security statement.

To create an online account, go to the “my Social Security” website (www.ssa.gov/myaccount). You must have a valid email address, Social Security number, U.S. mailing address and be at least age 18.

You’ll need to verify your identity by providing personal information and answering questions whose answers only you should know. Social Security contracts with Experian to design these questions based on the credit bureau’s records.

(Note: If you’ve got a security freeze or fraud alert on your Experian credit report, you’ll either have to temporarily remove it or visit your local Social Security office – with proof of identity – to open an online account.)

Once your identity has been verified, you can create a password-protected account. Social Security emphasizes that you may sign into or create an account to access only your own information. Unauthorized use could subject you to criminal and/or civil penalties.

Review your statement at least annually to ensure the information on file for you is correct – for example, your yearly taxable earnings. Otherwise, when Social Security calculates your benefits at retirement, disability or death, you could be shortchanged; or, if your earnings were over-reported, you could end up owing the government money.

If you do find errors, call 800-772-1213, or visit your local office. You’ll need copies of your W-2 form or tax return for any impacted years.

Bottom line: Even if retirement is a long way off, it’s important to review your Social Security statement now to know what benefits you can expect – and to correct any mistakes well before you need to sign up.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.