The fastest way to access your Social Security information

You can log into your Social Security account through my Social Security, the official portal run by the Social Security Administration. The site lets you view your earnings record, check your benefit estimate, and manage your account without calling or visiting an office. You will need either a username and password you create yourself, or you can use a third-party login like Google, Facebook, or an ID.me account if you already have one of those.

The login page is at ssa.gov/myaccount. If you do not have an account yet, you can create one in about 10 minutes by providing your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number. Social Security will verify your identity by asking questions about your credit history or by sending a one-time code to your email or phone.

Key Takeaways

  • You log in at ssa.gov/myaccount using a username and password you create, or by using Google, Facebook, or ID.me credentials.
  • Creating a new account takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, email, and phone number.
  • Social Security verifies your identity by asking security questions or sending a one-time code to your email or phone.
  • Once logged in, you can view your earnings record, check your benefit estimate, and change your address or direct deposit information.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it when ready using your email address or phone number.

Creating a new my Social Security account

Start at ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will enter your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a U.S. phone number. Social Security will then ask you to verify your identity. Most people answer multiple-choice questions about their credit history — things like "Which of these addresses have you lived at?" or "Which lender issued a credit card in your name?" If you do not have enough credit history or prefer not to answer those questions, Social Security can send a one-time code to your email or phone instead.

After you pass the identity check, you create a username and password. Your username can be anything you choose — it does not have to be your name or Social Security number. 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 username and password somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store them.

Once your account is created, you can log in when ready. Social Security may ask you to verify your email address by clicking a link they send you, but you can usually do that later.

Logging in with Google, Facebook, or ID.me instead

If you already have a Google, Facebook, or ID.me account, you can use that to log into my Social Security instead of creating a separate username and password. On the login page at ssa.gov/myaccount, look for the buttons labeled "Sign in with Google," "Sign in with Facebook," or "Sign in with ID.me." Click the one you want to use, and you will be taken to that service to confirm you want to connect it to your Social Security account.

This method is faster if you already have one of those accounts set up, and it means you have one fewer password to remember. However, you still need to complete Social Security's identity verification the first time you log in this way. After that, you can use the same method to log in every time.

What you can do once you are logged in

Inside my Social Security, you can view your earnings record — the list of years you worked and how much you earned each year. This is important because your benefit amount is based on your 35 highest-earning years. You can also see a benefit estimate, which shows roughly how much you would receive per month if you started benefits at age 62, your full retirement age, or age 70.

You can change your mailing address, update your phone number, and set up or change your direct deposit information so benefits go straight to your bank account. You can also request a replacement Social Security card (though the card itself will be mailed to you, not delivered online). If you are already receiving benefits, you can view your payment history and see when your next payment is scheduled.

You cannot file for benefits through my Social Security — you still have to do that by phone, mail, or in person at a Social Security office. However, logging in and reviewing your information beforehand makes the filing process faster because you will already know what information Social Security has on file.

If you forget your password or cannot log in

On the login page, click "Forgot username or password?" and enter your email address or phone number. Social Security will send you a link to reset your password, or a one-time code you can use to log in right away. Check your email or text messages within a few minutes. If you do not see the message, check your spam or junk folder.

If you cannot remember the email address or phone number you used to create your account, or if you are having trouble with the identity verification step, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). They are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. You can also visit a Social Security office in person — find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator.

Keeping your account find

Use a password that is unique to Social Security — do not use the same password you use for email, banking, or other accounts. If someone gets your Social Security password, they could change your address, set up direct deposit to their bank account, or request a replacement card. Change your password every few months, and change it when ready if you think someone else knows it.

Do not share your login information with anyone, including family members or people claiming to work for Social Security. Social Security employees will never ask for your password, and they will never contact you by email asking you to log in or verify your information. If you receive an email claiming to be from Social Security asking you to click a link or log in, it is a scam — delete it and report it to the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to create a my Social Security account to get benefits?

No. You can file for benefits by phone, mail, or in person without ever creating an online account. However, having an account makes it easier to check your information, track your process, and manage your benefits once you are receiving them.

What if I do not have a credit history to answer security questions?

Social Security will offer you the option to verify your identity using a one-time code sent to your email or phone instead. You do not need a credit history to create an account.

Can I use my my Social Security account to file for retirement benefits?

No. You can view your benefit estimate and prepare your information online, but you must file for benefits through a phone call to 1-800-772-1213, by mail, or in person at a Social Security office. The online account is for viewing information and managing an existing account, not for filing new claims.

Is my Social Security account find?

My Social Security uses encryption and security measures similar to online banking. However, your security also depends on keeping your password private and not falling for phishing emails. Social Security will never email you asking you to log in or verify your information.

Can I access my Social Security account on a phone or tablet?

Yes. My Social Security works on any device with a web browser, including phones and tablets. There is no official Social Security app — if you see an app claiming to be from Social Security, it is not legitimate.