The Social Security Statement is a 4-page, 8 1/2-inch x 11-inch document that contains both personal and general
information. Each recipient receives information based on his/her individual Social
Security record. Section 1143 of the Act and our supporting regulations (20 CFR 404.812)
state specifically what personal data SSA must include in the Statement. We also provide general explanations and background information to help recipients
understand their personal data, and we tell them how to contact us if they have questions.
We used extensive public and employee input to design the format and simplify the
language in it. We tested the Statement with focus groups and a national mail survey. We also sought comments from outside
agencies and organizations that serve diverse sections of the public.
There are two versions of the SSA-7005-SM (10/06):
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The SSA-7005-SM-SI, which is highlighted in green, is the version SSA sends out automatically.
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The SSA-7005-SM-OR, with blue highlights, is sent in response to an SSN holder's specific
request.
Language on the form varies slightly between the two versions. The major difference
is how we use not-yet-posted current and future earnings to calculate insured status
credits and benefit estimates. The explanations in the following subsections point
out these differences when they occur.
In addition, beginning in FY 2007, as required by §419 of the Social Security Protection
Act, there are two versions of a one-page letter form of the Statement, the SSA-L7005. This is sent to persons who have no earnings which were covered for
Social Security or Medicare, but do have un-posted, non-covered earnings. Prior to FY 2007, we sent
no Statements to these persons.
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The SSA-L7005-SM-SI, which is highlighted in green, is sent automatically to individuals
with only non-covered earnings.
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The SSA-L7005-SM-OR, with blue highlights, is sent in response to a request from an
SSN holder who has only non-covered earnings. The only difference between the forms
is that the OR version states this is in response to your request for a Statement.