What you need to log into Social Security online
The Social Security Administration runs a website called my Social Security where you can view your earnings record, check benefit estimates, and manage your account. To log in, you need either a Social Security number and password you created yourself, or you can use a third-party login like Login.gov, Google, or Microsoft.
You do not need to create an account to view basic information — the SSA website has public pages about benefits, how the process works, and how to contact your local office. But to see your personal earnings history or benefit statements, you must log in.
If you have never created a my Social Security account before, you will set one up the first time you visit. This takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number where you can receive a code to verify your identity.
Key Takeaways
- my Social Security is the official SSA website where you log in to view your earnings record and benefit estimates.
- You can create a password-based account or use an existing Login.gov, Google, or Microsoft account to sign in.
- The SSA will text or call you a verification code when you first set up your account to confirm your identity.
- Once logged in, you can view your Social Security statement, check your earnings history, and see what benefits you may receive at different ages.
- If you forget your password, you can reset it using your email address or phone number without calling the SSA.
Steps to create a my Social Security account
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account" or "Sign up now." You will see a page asking whether you want to create a Social Security password or use a third-party login. If you choose to create your own password, enter your email address and click next.
The SSA will send a verification code to your email. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for an email from noreply@ssa.gov, copy the code, and paste it into the website. This confirms that you own the email address you provided.
Next, you will enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and phone number. The SSA will text a second verification code to your phone — this confirms you control that phone number. Enter the code on the website.
Then create a password at least 12 characters long. The SSA requires a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or @). Write this password down in a safe place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it. Once you submit your password, your account is created and you can log in.
Using a third-party login instead
If you already have a Login.gov, Google, or Microsoft account, you can use that to sign into my Social Security instead of creating a separate password. This is often faster because you skip the password creation step.
On the my Social Security homepage, click "Sign in with Login.gov," "Sign in with Google," or "Sign in with Microsoft." You will be taken to that service's login page. Enter your credentials there, and you will be sent back to my Social Security. The first time you do this, the SSA will ask you to verify your identity by text or phone, just as with a password account.
Using a third-party login does not give the SSA access to your Google or Microsoft account — it only confirms your identity. You can switch between login methods later if you change your mind.
What to do if you forget your password
On the my Social Security login page, click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address or phone number. The SSA will send a reset code to whichever one you choose.
Open the email or text message, copy the code, and paste it into the website. Then create a new password following the same rules as before: at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol. You can now log in with your new password.
If you do not have access to the email or phone number you used when you created your account, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it.
Common problems when logging in
Your password is not working. Make sure you are typing it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital A is different from lowercase a. If you are still stuck, use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it. If you created your account more than a year ago and have not logged in since, your account may have been deactivated for security reasons; you will need to create a new account.
You are not receiving the verification code. Check your spam or junk folder for emails from noreply@ssa.gov. If you chose to receive the code by text, make sure your phone number is correct and that your phone plan allows text messages. Wait a few minutes — the code can take up to 10 minutes to arrive. If it still does not come, click "Resend code" on the website.
You see a message that your Social Security number does not match your date of birth. This usually means you typed one of them incorrectly. Go back and re-enter both carefully. If you believe the SSA's records are wrong, call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone who can check your file.
You are locked out after too many failed login attempts. The SSA locks accounts temporarily after several wrong passwords to protect your information. Wait 30 minutes and try again, or use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it.
What you can do once you are logged in
After you log in, you will see your Social Security Statement, which shows your earnings history year by year and estimates what you might receive in retirement, disability, or survivor benefits at different ages. This is the main reason most people create an account — to check whether the SSA has your correct earnings on file.
You can also change your address, phone number, or email address in your account settings. You cannot change your name, date of birth, or Social Security number online; those changes require you to visit a Social Security office or mail in a form.
If you are already receiving benefits, you can view your payment history and the amount of your monthly check. You can also report a change in your situation — such as a change in income or living arrangement — though some changes still require a phone call or office visit to process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Social Security a real government website?
Yes. my Social Security is run by the Social Security Administration. The web address is ssa.gov/myaccount. Be careful not to visit a similar-looking website — scammers sometimes create fake login pages. Always type the address yourself or click a link from the official SSA homepage at ssa.gov.
Can I log in on my phone?
Yes. my Social Security works on phones and tablets. You can use the same login you created on a computer, or read the official Social Security mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and log in there.
What if I do not have an email address?
You will need an email address to create a my Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create a free Gmail account at gmail.com or a free Outlook account at outlook.com in about five minutes. Then use that email to sign up for my Social Security.
Can someone else log into my account?
No, not unless you give them your password. If you are managing benefits for someone else — such as a parent or child — you may be able to set up a representative payee account, but that is a different process. Call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about representative payee options.
What should I do if I think someone else accessed my account?
Change your password when ready using the "Forgot password?" link. Then call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to report the incident. They can review your account for unauthorized changes and help you find it.