Creating and accessing your Social Security account
You log into your Social Security account through a website called my Social Security, which is run by the Social Security Administration. To access it, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and either sign in with an existing username and password, or create a new account if you do not have one yet. The account lets you view your earnings record, check benefit estimates, and manage your Social Security information without calling or visiting an office.
Creating an account requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address. You will also need to set up a password and answer security questions. The process takes about 10 minutes. Once your account is set up, you can log in from any computer or phone with internet access.
Key Takeaways
- You access your Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount using a username and password you create yourself.
- To create an account, you need your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number for verification.
- Social Security will send a verification code to your email or phone before your account becomes active.
- Once logged in, you can view your earnings history, check your benefit amount, and update your contact information.
- If you forget your password, you can reset it on the login page without calling Social Security.
Step-by-step account creation
Start by visiting ssa.gov/myaccount in your web browser. Click the button to create a new account. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number and date of birth. Social Security will verify this information against their records before moving forward.
Next, you create a username and password. Your username can be an email address or a custom name you choose. Your password must be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character (like ! or @). Write down your password somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.
After that, you answer three security questions. These are questions only you should know the answer to—for example, "What was the name of your first pet?" or "What city were you born in?" Social Security uses these answers to verify your identity if you forget your password later.
Finally, Social Security sends a verification code to your email address or phone number. Check your email inbox (and spam folder) for a message from Social Security. Enter the code on the website to confirm your account. Your account is now active and ready to use.
What you can do once you are logged in
Your Social Security account shows your complete earnings record—the wages and self-employment income Social Security has on file for you. This is important because your benefit amount is based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you spot an error in your earnings record, you can report it through your account or by contacting Social Security directly.
You can also view your estimated benefit amount at different ages. Social Security shows what you would receive if you claim at age 62, your full retirement age (which varies by birth year), or age 70. These estimates help you decide when to claim. The site also displays your current benefit status if you are already receiving payments.
From your account, you can update your phone number, email address, and mailing address. You can also request a replacement Social Security card, view your benefit payment history, and change your direct deposit information if you are already receiving benefits.
Resetting a forgotten password
If you forget your password, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Forgot your username or password?" on the login page. Enter your username or email address. Social Security will ask you to answer one or more of the security questions you set up when you created your account.
If you answer the questions correctly, Social Security sends a password reset link to your email. Click the link and create a new password following the same rules as before (12 characters, uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character). You can then log in with your new password.
If you cannot remember the answers to your security questions, you will need to verify your identity another way. Social Security may ask for additional information like your phone number or the last four digits of your credit card. If you still cannot verify yourself online, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to reset your account.
Troubleshooting login problems
If you see a message that your username or password is incorrect, make sure you are typing it exactly as you created it. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters are different. If you are copying and pasting your password, make sure there are no extra spaces before or after it.
If the website says your account is locked, it usually means you entered an incorrect password too many times. Wait 30 minutes and try again. If the problem continues, use the password reset option described above.
If you see an error message about your browser or connection, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then reload the page. You can also try a different web browser or device. If the website is down for maintenance, Social Security usually posts a notice on ssa.gov explaining when it will be back online.
Keeping your account secure
Never share your username, password, or security question answers with anyone—not even family members or people claiming to work for Social Security. Social Security employees will never ask for your password by phone, email, or text message.
Be cautious of emails or texts claiming to be from Social Security and asking you to click a link or log in. These are usually scams. If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links. Instead, go directly to ssa.gov/myaccount by typing the address into your browser yourself.
Log out of your account when you are finished, especially if you are using a shared computer. Your account contains sensitive information, and logging out prevents others from accessing it. If you use a personal device like a phone or laptop, logging out is less critical but still a good practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have an email address?
You need a valid email address to create a my Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook. Once you have an email address, you can proceed with creating your Social Security account.
Can I log in on my phone?
Yes. The my Social Security website works on phones and tablets. You can use any web browser to visit ssa.gov/myaccount and log in the same way you would on a computer. Some people find it easier to use a phone's browser rather than downloading an app.
What if I never created a my Social Security account?
You can create one at any time by visiting ssa.gov/myaccount and clicking the button to create a new account. You do not need to call Social Security or visit an office. The account creation process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address.
Is my Social Security account the same as my bank account login?
No. Your my Social Security account is separate from any bank account you have. It is only for accessing Social Security information. Your bank account has its own username and password that you set up with your bank, not with Social Security.
Can I change my password after I create it?
Yes. Once you are logged in, look for a settings or account management section where you can change your password. You will need to enter your current password before creating a new one. This is a good practice if you think someone else may know your password.