The Earnings Record Audit: 7 Red Flags That Signal Errors in Your Statement
Confused by Social Security?
Your Social Security benefit is calculated using your highest 35 years of earnings. But what if some of those years are wrong? It happens more often than people realize.
7 Red Flags to Look For
- A Year With Zero Income When You Definitely Worked
- A Sudden Drop in Income for No Reason
- Employer Names Missing or Incorrect
- Name Changes Not Linked Properly
- Self-Employment Years Missing
- Years of Cash Tips Missing
- Non-Covered Employment Confusion
Why This Matters
A single incorrect year can reduce your monthly benefit, lifetime income, and survivor income. The sooner you identify these issues, the easier they are to correct.
About Author
Ray R. Harris
Ray R. Harris, RSSA®, partners with tax and legal professionals to provide specialized Social Security claiming analysis for high-net-worth clients aged 58–70. A former executive with an MBA and background in Finance, Ray mitigates liability for his partners by ensuring their clients optimize spousal benefits, tax efficiency, and lifetime income.
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