The Social Security Administration keeps track of your work history and associated earnings when Social Security taxes were paid. This is for many purposes, including future Social Security benefits calculations.
You can request a detailed employment history, but that takes a long time. Still, if you have no other way of determining historic employment, Social Security remains the keeper of that information. It is worth the trouble if you cannot remember every place you ever worked and received a W2.
Try the mySocial Security website first, but if that doesn't work, you may need to contact Social Security directly and request records the traditional way.
Until recently, annual benefits statements were sent in the mail, a practice that was suspended in recent budget cut years . . .
But beginning in 2015, Social Security statements are once again available, and this time, you can access your statement, past statements, and related employment history via your Social Security tax contributions online through the new mySocial Security web portal.
There is a catch. Not everyone will be able to use the online system. Social Security uses Experian credit reporting agency to verify identities, so if you have your credit report frozen, you will have to unfreeze it. Also, if you are of a certain age, your records may not yet be available.
If you have difficulty registering for mySocial Security, you will be prompted to call Social Security and they can help you through the process.