What you need to sign in to your Social Security account
To sign in to your Social Security account online, you go to ssa.gov and create a login through one of three identity verification services: Social Security's own my Social Security account, or through Login.gov or ID.me. You do not need to visit an office. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes the first time, and you only do it once.
You will need a valid email address, a phone number, and a way to prove who you are — either a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) or answers to questions about your financial history that only you would know. Social Security uses these to confirm your identity before letting you in.
Once you are signed in, you can view your earnings record, check your benefit amount, change your address or phone number, and read a benefit verification letter. You cannot file for benefits through the account itself — you still file through an office or by phone — but you can see what you are may be able to access for and track the status of a claim you have already started.
Key Takeaways
- You create your account at ssa.gov using either my Social Security, Login.gov, or ID.me, and you only need an email address and phone number to start.
- Social Security will ask you to prove your identity using a photo ID or by answering questions about your financial history.
- Once signed in, you can view your earnings record, check your estimated benefit amount, and read proof of benefits, but you cannot file for benefits through the account.
- If you forget your password, you can reset it when ready through the same sign-in page without calling Social Security.
Step-by-step: Creating your my Social Security account
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will be asked for your email address, a password you choose, and your phone number. Social Security will send a code to your phone to confirm it belongs to you — enter that code to move forward.
Next, you will verify your identity. Social Security will ask whether you want to upload a photo ID or answer security questions. If you upload an ID, take clear photos of the front and back of your driver's license, passport, or state ID. The system reads these automatically and usually confirms your identity within minutes. If you choose security questions instead, you will answer five to ten questions about credit accounts, addresses, or loans from your past. This method takes longer — sometimes a few hours or a day — because a person reviews your answers.
Once your identity is confirmed, you will receive an email saying your account is ready. Click the link in that email, sign in with your email and password, and you are in. Bookmark the page so you can return to it easily.
Using Login.gov or ID.me instead
If you already have a Login.gov account (used for other federal services like IRS or Veterans Affairs), you can use that to sign in to Social Security instead of creating a separate my Social Security account. Go to ssa.gov, select "Sign in with Login.gov," and follow the prompts. Your Social Security information will be linked to your existing Login.gov identity.
ID.me works the same way. If you have an ID.me account from another service, you can use it to sign in to Social Security. All three services — my Social Security, Login.gov, and ID.me — connect to the same Social Security information, so it does not matter which one you choose. Pick whichever you already use or find easiest.
What to do if you cannot verify your identity online
If the photo ID upload is rejected or you do not have a photo ID, you can still answer security questions instead. If security questions are rejected, Social Security will tell you that you need to verify in person. Call 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time) or visit your local Social Security office to complete identity verification. Bring a photo ID and proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement).
If you do not have a photo ID at all, Social Security can verify you using other documents. Call the number above or visit an office to ask what documents they will accept. The process takes longer this way, but it is still possible.
Resetting your password and recovering a locked account
If you forget your password, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address, and Social Security will send a reset link to that email. Click the link, create a new password, and sign in. This takes a few minutes and does not require calling anyone.
If you enter your password wrong too many times, your account will lock for 24 hours as a security measure. Wait a day and try again. If you cannot remember your email address or phone number associated with the account, call 1-800-772-1213 and a representative can help you regain access.
What you can and cannot do in your account
Once signed in, you can view your complete earnings record (the wages Social Security has on file for you), see your estimated retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, change your address or phone number, read a benefit verification letter, and check the status of a claim you have already filed. You can also opt in to paperless statements and manage your contact preferences.
You cannot file for benefits through the account itself. To file for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, you must use a separate process on ssa.gov, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit an office. The account is for viewing information and managing your profile, not for starting a new claim.
Security and privacy when signing in
Social Security uses encryption to protect your information, and the identity verification services (Login.gov and ID.me) are approved by the federal government. Do not share your password with anyone, and do not sign in on a public computer. If you sign in on a shared device, always click "Sign out" when you are done — do not just close the browser.
If you see activity in your account you did not authorize, change your password when ready and call 1-800-772-1213 to report it. Social Security will not ask you for your password, Social Security number, or bank information by email or phone, so if someone contacts you claiming to be from Social Security and asks for these details, hang up or delete the message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to create an account to check my Social Security information?
No. You can view a one-time earnings statement without signing in by going to ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html and using the Retirement Estimator tool. But to see your full earnings record, check your status, or read documents, you need an account.
What if I do not have a smartphone to receive the verification code?
You can use any phone that receives text messages, including a landline that accepts SMS or a phone borrowed from someone else. You only need the phone during account creation. After that, you sign in with your email and password on any device.
How long does it take to verify my identity?
Photo ID verification usually takes a few minutes to an hour. Security question verification takes a few hours to a day because a person reviews your answers. If you are in a hurry, upload a photo ID — it is faster.
Can I sign in to my spouse's or parent's Social Security account?
No. Each person must create and sign in to their own account using their own identity verification. You cannot access someone else's account, even as a representative or family member, through the online portal.
What should I do if my account keeps saying my identity cannot be verified?
This usually means the information you provided does not match Social Security's records. Check that you entered your name, date of birth, and address exactly as they appear in Social Security's system. If the problem continues, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office to verify your identity in person.