Recent Changes to Benefits Planning Query

Please note that due to recent changes to the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) statement, yearly earnings information based on IRS information will no longer be available on the BPQY.

We realize and understand that this will affect how you request copies of the BPQY, how you use the BPQY, and what information you can get from the BPQY statement in order to best serve Social Security beneficiaries. As such, we hope the following Q & A will help clear up some anticipated issues regarding this development.

Question 1: Why the change? Why are we no longer able to see the yearly earnings breakdown?

Answer: Social Security has been informed that the authorization form used to release BPQY information to third parties (the SSA-3288) via the BPQY, can no longer be used to release IRS earnings. The business process for using the current authorization form to release IRS earnings to third parties, SSA-7050 (Request for Social Security Earnings Information), requires the agency to charge a fee to release IRS earnings to third parties. However, Social Security never intended to charge third-party stakeholders a fee for the BPQY, especially when the purpose of their request was to provide return to work/Ticket to Work benefit counseling. Therefore, Social Security cannot use the SSA-7050. As Social Security explores other options, we must remove the IRS earnings data from the BPQY.

Question 2: Do we now have to change the way we request the BPQY?

Answer: No. The BPQY is still available to the beneficiary themselves on request once properly identified. For third parties, the BPQY is requested in the same manner. However, the beneficiary no longer has to sign 2 separate SSA-3288 release forms. One properly executed SSA-3288 will be sufficient to request the BPQY going forward.

Question 3: Is there any way for us to still obtain a yearly earnings breakdown?

Answer: Yes. While the information will no longer be on the BPQY statement, if beneficiaries or their counselors/advocates want to obtain yearly earnings data, the beneficiary can make a request for their Social Security Statement through their mySSA account, www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Beneficiaries without a mySSA account should be encouraged to create one in order to view their Social Security Statements, obtain benefit verification letters, etc.

Once registered for a mySSA account, beneficiaries have access to their Online Statement, which provides immediate access to their earnings records to view, print and save their Social Security Statement. A BPQY statement, along with the beneficiary’s Social Security Statement from mySSA, will provide the same information you were accustomed to seeing on the old BPQY.

Please encourage Ticketholders to register for a mySSA account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.

To register for a mySSA account, the individual must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have a Social Security number;
• Have a valid email address; and
• Have a domestic address (includes military addresses, APO/FPO/DPO, AE, AP, or AA)

Please contact ENService@ssa.gov with any questions.