Dear Savvy Senior: I’ve heard Social Security sometimes makes mistakes on earnings records, which can reduce monthly retirement benefits. How can I avoid this? — Paranoid Paul

Dear Paul: Mistakes in Social Security records are fairly common. Benefits are based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If your earnings for any year are underreported, it will reduce your benefits.

These errors typically occur because your employer either reported your earnings incorrectly or reported your earnings using the wrong name or Social Security number. Or it can happen if you got married or divorced and changed your name but did not report the change to Social Security.

The best way to keep an eye on your benefits and avoid any possible mistakes is to review your Social Security statement every year. To do this, go to SSA.gov/myaccount and print your statement.

If you’re age 60 or older and not yet receiving benefits and don’t have a My Social Security account online, your statement will be mailed to you three months before your birthday. Your statement lists your earnings record for each year of employment and estimates the benefits you and your family may receive.

Once you get your statement, verify its accuracy by comparing the earnings listed with your tax records or W-2 statements. You have to correct errors within 3 years, 3 months and 15 days following the year of the mistake. If you spot a discrepancy, follow these steps.

First, call your nearest Social Security office (see SSA.gov/locator or call 800-772-1213 to get the number) to report the error. Some corrections can be made over the phone, or you may need to schedule an appointment and go in with copies of your W-2 forms or tax returns to prove the mistake, or you can mail it in.

If you suspect a discrepancy but don’t have backup records, the Social Security Administration may be able to use your employment information to correct mistakes. If the SSA can’t locate your records, you’ll need to contact your employer to obtain a copy of your W-2 for the year in question.

Once your earnings record is corrected, Social Security will send you a confirming letter. If you don’t receive the confirmation within three months, contact them again, and double-check the correction on your Social Security statement.

If corrections aren’t made, start an appeals process (see SSA.gov/pubs/EN-05-10041.pdf).

Miscalculations can also happen if there’s a mistake in your mailing address with the IRS. Check your federal tax returns for this, especially if you’ve moved recently.

To correct your address, contact the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you the “Change of Address” form 8822, or print it off at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8822.pdf.

Also double-check your statement to confirm that your name and date of birth is the same in both SSA records and IRS files. If you find an error, call 800-772-1213 and ask for Form SS-5, “Application for a Social Security Card,” and submit it with the correct information. The form can also be downloaded at SSA.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf.

Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC-TV’s “Today” program and author of “The Savvy Senior.” Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070; or visit savvysenior.org