Will my online Social Security account still work after filing for retirement benefits?

Your friend is partially right but mostly wrong. Your earnings record doesn't disappear when you start benefits - it's still accessible in your my Social Security account. What DOES change is the account interface and options. Before claiming, you see estimated benefits and planning tools. After claiming, those are replaced with payment information, benefit verification options, and tax document access. Your earnings history remains viewable by clicking the "Earnings Record" tab. As for notices, SSA is moving toward more online communication, but some important documents are still sent by mail. You can opt for email alerts when new notices are posted to your my Social Security account, but you'll need to log in to read them. Many (but not all) letters are viewable online once you're receiving benefits.

The whole system is TERRIBLE after you start getting benefits!!!! My account got completely messed up when I filed last year and I couldn't access ANYTHING for almost 3 months!!! Had to make FIVE trips to the local office just to get it fixed because the phone lines never work. And even now half the notices don't show up online and come in the mail anyway. Don't trust their "paperless" promise - they still send the most important stuff through mail and the website is always "down for maintenance" when you actually need something!!

I've been collecting SS retirement for about 2 years now, and I can tell you from experience that your earnings history definitely stays visible in your account. The dashboard just changes to show your current benefit information instead of estimates. For the paperless question - it's kind of a mixed bag. Many notices do appear in the Message Center of your my Social Security account, but some important documents still come through regular mail. You can set up email notifications to alert you when new notices are posted online, which helps. I'd recommend keeping your mailing address updated just in case, even if you prefer everything digital. Also, before you file, download and save copies of your earnings history just to have for your records.

my freind told me the same thing but when i started gettin my checks the website still works fine. its just different stuff on there now. they still mail alot of stuff tho so dont ignore your mailbox lol

If you're concerned about having continuous access to your Social Security information, especially during the transition period from filing to receiving benefits, I highly recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) when you need to speak with an actual SSA representative. I spent WEEKS trying to get answers about my account access issues after filing, and their automated phone system was useless. Then I found Claimyr's service which got me through to a real person at SSA in about 15 minutes instead of the 2+ hour wait I was experiencing before. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Completely changed my experience dealing with SSA phone issues, especially during that transition period when you have the most questions.

I remember worrying about this same thing! When I started my retirement benefits last year, I was pleasantly surprised that my mysocialsecurity account actually became MORE useful. I can now see my payment history, get benefit verification letters instantly, and change my direct deposit info if needed. The earnings record is still there too. The only annoying thing is they still mail tax forms and some official notices instead of just putting everything online.

Quick question related to this - does anyone know if you can still change your withholding preferences online after benefits start? Or do you have to call/mail that in?

One thing I forgot to mention - when you're getting close to filing, take screenshots of your estimated benefit amounts at different ages. Those projections disappear after you file, and it's sometimes helpful to have that information for reference. Also, make sure your email address is current in the system before filing so you'll get the notifications about new online messages.

i had trouble loggin in after i filed. had to make a new password. just warning u it might happen

Oh, and regarding your specific concern about being paperless - you will still need to check your physical mail. Some communications from SSA are only sent by mail for security reasons, especially anything involving direct deposit changes or benefit verification. They're slowly improving their online services, but they're not completely paperless yet.