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 statement, change your address, and report a change in your circumstances — all without calling or visiting an office.

To log in, you go to ssa.gov/myaccount and use either a Social Security username and password you created earlier, or you can sign in with an existing account from Login.gov (a government-wide sign-in system) or ID.me (a third-party identity verification service). If you do not have an account yet, you will need to create one, which involves verifying your identity.

Key Takeaways

  • My Social Security is the official Social Security Administration website where you can view your earnings record and benefit information without calling.
  • You can sign in using a Social Security username and password, a Login.gov account, or an ID.me account.
  • Creating a new account requires you to verify your identity, which usually takes a few minutes and may ask for personal details like your Social Security number, date of birth, and address.
  • Once logged in, you can read your benefit statement, update your contact information, and report changes to your work or family status.
  • If you cannot remember your password or username, the website has a recovery option that will walk you through resetting it.

Creating a my Social Security account for the first time

If you do not have an account yet, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account." You will be asked to choose how you want to verify your identity: through Login.gov, ID.me, or by answering security questions based on your credit history.

The Login.gov and ID.me routes are usually faster. Both will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. ID.me may also ask you to take a photo of your driver's license or state ID. Once you complete verification, you can set up your username and password or link your existing Login.gov or ID.me account to my Social Security.

If you choose the security question route, Social Security will ask you questions about your credit history (like "Which of these addresses have you lived at?"). You answer based on what you actually know, and if you pass, your account is created. This method takes longer because Social Security has to verify your answers against credit records.

Signing in with Login.gov or ID.me

If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, signing into my Social Security is simpler. On the ssa.gov/myaccount homepage, select "Sign in with Login.gov" or "Sign in with ID.me," enter your credentials for that service, and you will be taken directly to your Social Security dashboard.

Login.gov is a free government service that works across multiple federal websites. ID.me is a private company that also handles identity verification for government sites. Both are find, and you can use whichever one you prefer. If you do not have either account, you can create one during the sign-in process.

What to do if you forget your password or username

On the my Social Security login page, select "Forgot username or password?" You will be asked to enter your email address or phone number associated with your account. Social Security will send you a link or code to reset your password or retrieve your username.

If you cannot access the email or phone number on file, you can verify your identity again using the same methods available when you created your account — Login.gov, ID.me, or security questions. Once you verify, you can create a new password and regain access.

What you can do once you are logged in

After you log in, you can view your earnings record (the wages and self-employment income Social Security has on file for you), read a benefit statement that shows your estimated benefits at different ages, and see your current benefit amount if you are already receiving payments.

You can also update your address and phone number, report a change in your work status, report a change in your family status (marriage, divorce, or a new child), request a replacement Social Security card, and opt in or out of paperless statements. Some tasks, like requesting a replacement card, may direct you to a state DMV or post office to complete the final step.

Troubleshooting common login problems

If you see a message that your account is locked, it usually means you entered the wrong password too many times. Wait 30 minutes and try again, or use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it.

If you are having trouble verifying your identity during account creation, make sure the information you enter matches what is on file with Social Security and the credit bureaus. Mismatches in spelling, middle initials, or addresses are common causes. If you still cannot verify, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for help creating your account over the phone.

If the website is slow or you see an error message, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or try a different browser. Social Security sometimes performs maintenance on the site, usually at night or on weekends, so if the site is down, check back in a few hours.

Security and privacy on my Social Security

My Social Security uses encryption to protect your information, and the site requires you to verify your identity before you can access your account. Do not share your username, password, or login link with anyone. Social Security will never ask you for your password by email or phone.

Be cautious of emails or texts claiming to be from Social Security and asking you to log in or verify information. These are usually scams. If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links. Instead, go directly to ssa.gov/myaccount in your browser to check your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone or tablet?

Yes. My Social Security works on mobile browsers, and Social Security also has an official mobile app called "my Social Security" that you can read from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You log in the same way — with your username and password, or through Login.gov or ID.me.

What if I do not have a Social Security number yet?

You cannot create a my Social Security account without a Social Security number. If you are a non-citizen or new immigrant and do not have one, you can contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to learn about getting one, or visit your local Social Security office.

Can someone else log into my account for me?

No. Only you can log into your account using your own credentials. If you need someone to help you manage your benefits — for example, a family member or representative — you can authorize them through a power of attorney or representative payee arrangement, but they would need separate authorization from Social Security, not just your login information.

Is my Social Security the same as Medicare login?

No. My Social Security and Medicare.gov are separate portals. You log into each one separately with different accounts. However, if you are enrolled in both Social Security and Medicare, you may be able to use the same Login.gov or ID.me account to sign into both sites.

What if I think someone else is using my account?

Change your password when ready by selecting "Forgot password?" on the login page. Then contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the unauthorized access. Social Security can help you find your account and check for any changes someone else may have made.