Dear Rusty: I have a simple question (I think). How do I find out how much I have paid into Social Security over the years? Signed: Curious Senior Citizen

Dear Curious Senior: I expect you might rightfully believe you have contributed quite a lot. Fortunately, there are a couple of convenient ways to find out how much you have paid into Social Security over your lifetime:

If you have an online Social Security account (www.ssa.gov/myaccount), you can simply go to your “my Social Security” account and click on the link for “Social Security Statement.” In that statement, you will see a listing of your lifetime earnings. At the bottom of that listing, you will see how much you (and your employers on your behalf) have paid in Social Security FICA payroll taxes (or SECA self-employment taxes) over your lifetime.

If you do not have an online Social Security account, you can also contact the Social Security Administration and ask that a copy of your personal “Social Security Statement” be mailed to you. You can get your local field office’s contact information at www.ssa.gov/locator, or call 800-772-1213.

Obviously, getting this information online is the most efficient method, so you may wish to create an online account if you don’t yet have one. Instructions for doing so can be found at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Having this account will open the door to all the information Social Security has for you, including details of your monthly benefit and your lifetime earnings history.

FYI, many who seek this information are looking to understand when (or if) they might get back all their contributions once they start collecting Social Security benefits. Of course, much depends on the age at which you claim your benefits, but as a general guide, it usually takes about five years or less to get back in Social Security benefits all that you have personally contributed.

However, the length of time to “break even” is longer for self-employed individuals, who must pay both the employee and employer portions of Social Security payroll taxes.

“Ask Rusty” is a layman’s guide to the intricacies of Social Security, provided by the Association of Mature American Citizens. To submit a question, visit amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory or email ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.