Social Security receives more than 260 million reports of workers' earnings for the previous year. America's 6 million employers send in these reports between January and mid April. Social Security must then process the reports and associate the earnings with the correct worker's record. By the end of September, more than 98 percent of the reported earnings will be on record.

Self-employed persons report their Social Security covered earnings on their personal income tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forwards this information to Social Security after they complete their annual tax processing activity.

So, depending on what time of year it is when you get your Statement, your earnings from last year may not be on your record yet. Also, if you have more than one employer, each employer reports your earnings separately. Those reports will not all be processed at the same time.

Reminder: Your current year's earnings will not be reported to Social Security and posted to your record until next year.