2024 Earnings not showing up on my Social Security account - normal delay?
I logged into my Social Security account yesterday to check my earnings record and noticed my 2024 wages aren't showing up yet. All my previous years are there, but nothing for 2024 even though I've been working steadily all year. Is this normal? When does SSA typically update the earnings information? I'm planning to retire in about 18 months, so I want to make sure everything is correct before I apply for benefits. Should I be concerned or is there a typical lag time for this data to appear?
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Muhammad Hobbs
Its totally normal. They're always behind on updating that stuff. My 2024 isn't showing either.
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Sasha Reese
•Thanks! That's a relief. Do you know roughly when they usually catch up?
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Noland Curtis
SSA doesn't update earnings records in real-time. Your 2024 earnings won't appear until sometime in 2025 after your employer submits W-2s and SSA processes them. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. The lag time is usually 5-6 months after the tax year ends, sometimes longer if there are processing backlogs. Since you're not retiring for 18 months, there's plenty of time for your 2024 earnings to be added to your record before you apply for benefits.
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Sasha Reese
•Thank you for explaining! That makes perfect sense. I didn't realize there was such a long delay in updating the records.
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Diez Ellis
•To add to this excellent answer - when you DO apply for benefits, if your most recent year's earnings aren't showing yet, the SSA representative can add those manually during your application process. They'll ask about recent work not yet showing in the system.
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Vanessa Figueroa
I HAD THE SAME ISSUE and called them about it!!! Waited on hold for THREE HOURS only to be told this is "normal" and they don't update until the following year. What a waste of time!! Why can't they explain this better on their website?? The SS admin is still living in the stone age with their systems!!
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Abby Marshall
•I feel you on those hold times! Last time I tried calling SS I gave up after an hour and 45 minutes. Next day tried again, same thing. Eventually used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they call SSA and hold your place in line then call you when an agent is available. They have a demo video https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU that shows how it works. Saved me from wasting another afternoon on hold.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•THANK YOU!! I'll check that out next time. I was ready to throw my phone out the window with all the waiting and horrible hold music.
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Sadie Benitez
This is perfectly normal. SSA updates earnings records after employers file W-2s and tax returns are processed. There's always at least a 6-month lag, often longer. Here's the typical timeline: - January-April: Employers submit W-2s for previous year - April-September: IRS processes tax returns and shares data with SSA - September-December: SSA updates earnings records If you're planning to retire in 18 months, your 2024 earnings will definitely be on your record by then. You should also check your 2025 earnings when you apply, as those might not show up automatically and would need to be manually added during your application process. The delay doesn't affect your benefit calculation - all verified earnings will be included when you file for retirement benefits.
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Sasha Reese
•Thank you for the detailed timeline! This is very helpful. I'll make a note about the 2025 earnings too since those will be very recent when I apply.
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Drew Hathaway
My husband had this same worry last month! I told him not 2 worry about it. My sister works for SSA and she says they're always like a year behind on the website. The computer systems they use are from the stone age lol. But she said everything still counts toward ur benefits even if it doesn't show up right away on the website.
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Muhammad Hobbs
•yep exactly this. When i filed for disability they had to manually add my most recent year because it wasn't in the system yet
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Sasha Reese
Thanks everyone for the great information! I was definitely overthinking this. I'll stop worrying about the 2024 earnings not showing up yet. Does anyone know if I should be checking my earnings record for accuracy every year? I've never really paid attention to it before now that retirement is getting closer.
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Noland Curtis
•Yes, it's a good practice to check your earnings record annually. If there are errors (missing earnings or incorrect amounts), there's a 3-year, 3-month, and 15-day time limit to correct them. After that, it becomes much harder to make changes. Since your retirement is approaching, verifying past years is important - especially high-earning years that will factor into your benefit calculation.
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Sadie Benitez
•Absolutely check it regularly! I discovered my employer failed to report one quarter back in 2017, and I had to get that fixed. Your benefit amount is based on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, so missing wages can directly impact your monthly payment amount. The SSA statement will also show your estimated retirement benefits at different claiming ages (62, FRA, 70), which is helpful for planning.
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