Some seniors lean solely on their Social Security during retirement. Others are able to supplement their current savings. But how you use your benefits isn’t all that important- it’s a personal choice, after all. What really matters is making sure you get your hands on every last penny. And with so many variables that go into Social Security, it’s no wonder we see so many mistakes pop up.

This article should give you a good idea of what to do in order to avoid costly mistakes. Added up, these could make the difference between a comfortable and stressful retirement plan.

Worried about how you’ll handle your golden years? Read on and we’ll help you understand how to get back on the right track.

The Mistake: Not Checking Your Earnings Record

It’s easy to assume the system will make sure your benefits will come out perfectly once you decide to retire. But sadly, mistakes can be made along the way. Some Americans are faced with issues when they get married and their names haven’t been processed accordingly.

In other cases, employees are at fault, putting in incorrect earning amounts. This is particularly harmful since your Social Security depends on your wages.

Not checking your earnings record regularly is a huge but avoidable mistake. Sadly, by avoiding this responsibility, many soon-to-be retirees don’t catch any errors in time. At the end of the day, your Social Security will have to suffer, since you won’t be getting the full amount that you’re entitled to.

Solution: Check Your Social Security Statement While Working

Take some time to check your statements regularly, preferably on a yearly basis. It’ll be a lot easier for you to notice any discrepancies and you’ll be more likely to follow a paper trail that can correct them. If anything is amiss, you should contact the Social Security Administration and have pay stubs and your W-2 at the ready.

Imagine having to do this for mistakes that have happened over 10 or 20 years ago- in some cases even more. When proving that errors have been made, it’ll be so much easier to hunt all the details down from just a few months back.

As soon as the Social Security Administration checks your claim, you’ll be back on track in no time!