I have been working for years as self employed and have filed taxes every year, and there are some 0's for example last 4 years, why would that be? should I do something about this? will it effect my payment amount at retirement

Hi. Self-employment earnings are reported on Schedule SE of a person's tax returns. If you reported a net-profit of $400 or more from your self-employment on a Schedule SE then those earnings should show up on your Social Security earnings history. But, if you had a net loss from your self-employment, or a net profit of less than $400, then your Social Security earnings record would correctly show $0 earnings in those years.

If you did have any years in which you reported a net-profit of at least $400 on Schedule SE of your tax return and if those earnings aren't reflected on your Social Security earnings history, you should contact Social Security to request correction of your earnings record. You will need to submit a copy of your Schedule SE for any years in question, as well as proof of filing your tax return.

Social Security retirement benefits are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage-indexed earnings. If you have less than 35 years of earnings, Social Security will average in zero years when calculating your benefit rate. That would obviously drag down your 35 year earnings average as well as your resulting benefit rate.

Best, Jerry