You can create a Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your earnings record and benefit estimates

The Social Security Administration (SSA) lets you create an account at ssa.gov to see your lifetime earnings record, check your benefit estimates, and manage your Social Security information online. You do not need to visit an office or call — the account is free and takes about 10 minutes to set up. Once you log in, you can see what benefits you may receive at different ages and download official documents you might need for other purposes.

The account is separate from your bank account. It does not hold money or process payments. Instead, it is a record-keeping tool that shows you what the SSA has on file about your work history and what your future benefits might look like based on that history.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account" to start; you will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity.
  • Identity verification happens through a third-party service (ID.me or Login.gov) that asks you to upload a photo ID and sometimes take a selfie.
  • Once verified, you can view your earnings record, see estimated benefits at different retirement ages, and download a benefit verification letter.
  • If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account from another government service, you can use those credentials to skip the verification step.
  • If verification fails or you cannot upload documents, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to verify by phone instead.

Step-by-step: creating your account

Start at ssa.gov/myaccount. Click the blue "Create an account" button. Enter your email address and create a password (at least 12 characters, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol). The SSA will send you a confirmation email — click the link in that email within 24 hours.

Next, you will enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and phone number. The system will ask you to verify your identity. You have two options: use an existing Login.gov or ID.me account if you have one from another government service, or create a new one through ID.me. If you choose ID.me, you will upload a photo of your driver's license or passport and take a selfie. The verification usually completes within minutes, though it can take up to 24 hours.

Once verified, you are logged in. Your dashboard shows your estimated retirement benefit, your earnings record by year, and links to download documents like a benefit verification letter or a statement of earnings.

What to do if verification fails

If your photo ID does not scan clearly or the selfie does not match your ID, ID.me will reject the verification. You will see a message explaining why. You can try again with a different photo or a different ID document. Make sure the ID is current, the photo is well-lit, and your face is clearly visible in the selfie.

If you have tried multiple times and verification still fails, you can verify by phone instead. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Tell the representative you want to verify your identity for your my Social Security account. They will ask you security questions based on your credit history and Social Security record, then manually verify your account.

What you can see and do in your account

Your earnings record shows how much you earned each year since you started working, as reported to the SSA by your employers. This is the number the SSA uses to calculate your benefits. If you see an error — a missing year, a wrong amount, or earnings credited to the wrong name — you can report it through your account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Your benefit estimate shows what you would receive per month if you claimed at your full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically 66 to 67). The account also shows estimates if you claim earlier (as early as 62, with a smaller monthly amount) or later (as late as 70, with a larger monthly amount). These are estimates only, based on your current earnings record and the assumption that you will not earn significantly more before you claim.

You can download a benefit verification letter, which proves your benefit amount to a landlord, lender, or government program. You can also download a statement of your earnings record for tax or legal purposes.

If you cannot or do not want to create an online account

You can still get the same information by phone or in person. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for your earnings record and benefit estimate. A representative will mail it to you, usually within two weeks. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person — find the address at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card, photo ID, and proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers).

If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you can also view your payment information and change your direct deposit details through your account, or by calling the same number.

Common reasons your account might not work

If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the login page and follow the email link to reset it. If you forget your email address, you cannot recover it online — call 1-800-772-1213 and a representative can help you regain access.

If you are locked out after too many failed login attempts, wait 30 minutes and try again. If the problem continues, call the number above. If you are using a public or shared computer, clear your browser cache after you log out to protect your information.

If you see a message that your account does not exist, you may have already created one under a different email address. Try logging in with other email addresses you use, or call 1-800-772-1213 to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Social Security account the same as my bank account?

No. Your Social Security account is a record-keeping tool at the SSA website. It shows your earnings history and benefit estimates but does not hold money or process payments. Your bank account is separate and holds your actual money.

Do I need to create an account to receive Social Security benefits?

No. You can receive benefits without ever creating an account. The account is optional and is mainly useful if you want to check your earnings record or see your benefit estimate before you claim.

What if I do not have a photo ID to verify my identity?

Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to verify by phone instead. A representative will ask you security questions and can manually verify your account without requiring you to upload a photo ID.

Can I change my benefit amount through my account?

No. Your account shows your estimated benefit based on your earnings record, but you cannot change it online. Your actual benefit is determined when you claim. To claim benefits or change your claim, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office.

How often should I check my earnings record?

The SSA recommends checking it once a year to catch errors early. If you find a mistake, report it as soon as possible — there are time limits for correcting old earnings records. You can report errors through your account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.