Ask the Experts: My Social Security Statement Contains Errors ...

Q. My Social Security statement that I receive annually by mail contains errors. It shows that I have two years with zero income when in fact I worked in those years. My local Social Security office said I need to give them copies of my tax returns for those years, but I no longer have them because it was 30 years ago and the employer is out of business. The missing two years affect my benefit amount. What can I do?

A. Since you have no written record of your work during those two years, you should give your local Social Security office any information that you can remember about your work: the name of your employer, the location of the office, the dates you worked and how much you earned, and the name and phone number you used when you worked. Also, it would help if you have any contact with people you worked with at that time who might help establish your work record.

For more information, go to the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10081.html #unclaimed, or call toll free 1-800-772-1213 — John Turner

Q. have been married for many years to a man in prison. I will be 62 next year. Will I be able to draw Social Security based on his work record?

A. Generally, a person must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for 10 years to be eligible. So if your husband qualifies and you have been married for at least one year, you can file for benefits based on his record when he reaches retirement age.

But your husband will not receive any money because benefits are not paid for the months a person is serving a jail sentence. To learn more, read “What Prisoners Should Know About Social Security,” at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10133.html.

Source: Stan Hinden