The fastest way to access your Social Security information

You can sign 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 circumstances — all without calling or visiting an office.

To sign in, you go to ssa.gov/myaccount, create a login if you don't have one, and answer security questions to verify your identity. The whole process takes about 10 minutes the first time. Once you're in, you can access your account from any device with internet.

Key Takeaways

  • My Social Security is the official Social Security Administration website where you create a free account using your email address and a password you choose.
  • You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history, so have your Social Security number ready.
  • Once signed in, you can view your earnings record, see your estimated benefits, update your address, and report changes without waiting on the phone.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it by email or by answering security questions again — you do not need to call Social Security.

Creating your my Social Security account

Start by going to ssa.gov/myaccount and clicking the button to create a new account. You'll enter your email address, create a password, and provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Social Security uses this information to search their records and confirm you exist in their system.

After you submit this information, Social Security sends a verification email to the address you provided. Click the link in that email within 24 hours to confirm your email is real. If you don't click it in time, you'll need to start over with a new email address.

Once your email is verified, Social Security asks you security questions to prove you are who you say you are. These questions are based on your credit history — for example, "Which of these addresses have you lived at?" or "Which lender issued one of your credit accounts?" You must answer correctly to move forward. If you answer too many questions wrong, you'll be locked out temporarily.

What happens if you can't answer the security questions

If you don't have much credit history, or if the questions don't match your actual history, you may not be able to create an account online. Social Security offers two other ways to verify your identity: in person at a local Social Security office, or by phone through their Identity Verification Services line at 1-833-772-1213.

To verify by phone, you'll need to call that number, provide your Social Security number and date of birth, and answer questions about your identity. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Once you complete it, you can go back to ssa.gov/myaccount and create your account — the security questions will be waived because you've already verified yourself by phone.

To verify in person, find your local Social Security office on ssa.gov/locator, bring a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and tell the staff member you want to create a my Social Security account. They will verify you on the spot, and you can create your account at home afterward.

Signing in after your account is created

Once your account exists, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and enter your email address and password. If you're signing in from a new device or browser, Social Security may ask you to verify your identity again by answering a security question or entering a code sent to your email. This is normal and takes less than a minute.

If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the login page. Social Security will send you a reset link by email. Click the link, create a new password, and you're back in. You do not need to call or visit an office to reset your password.

If you forget the email address you used to create your account, or if you can't access that email anymore, you'll need to create a new account with a different email address. Social Security allows one account per person, so you can't have two active accounts at the same time.

What you can do once you're signed in

Inside my Social Security, you can view your complete earnings record — the wages and self-employment income Social Security has on file for every year you worked. This is important because your benefit amount is based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you spot an error, you can report it directly through the portal.

You can also see your estimated benefit amount at your full retirement age, at age 62, and at age 70. These estimates are based on your current earnings record and assume you continue working until the age you choose. If you stop working earlier or later, the estimate will change.

You can update your address, phone number, and email address without calling. You can also report a change in circumstances — for example, if you've returned to work, gotten married, or had a change in income. Some changes require you to call or visit an office, but the portal will tell you which ones.

Security and protecting your account

Your my Social Security account is protected by the password you create and by security questions only you should know the answers to. Social Security does not store your password in plain text — they encrypt it so that even Social Security employees cannot see it.

Never share your password with anyone, including Social Security staff. Real Social Security employees will never ask for your password by phone, email, or text. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Social Security and asks for your password, it is a scam.

If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You can also report suspected fraud to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You can receive Social Security benefits without ever creating an online account. The account is a tool to view your information and make changes on your own time. If you prefer to handle everything by phone or in person, you can.

What if I don't have an email address?

You will need an email address to create a my Social Security account. If you don't have one, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider. Once you have an email address, you can create your Social Security account.

Can I sign in on my phone?

Yes. My Social Security works on phones, tablets, and computers. The website adjusts to fit your screen size. You sign in the same way — enter your email and password — and can do everything you would do on a computer.

What if I'm locked out of my account?

If you enter your password wrong too many times, or answer security questions wrong too many times, your account locks temporarily for security. Wait a few hours and try again. If you still can't get in, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and they can help you regain access.

Can someone else sign into my account if they know my password?

Yes, which is why you should never share your password. If you think someone else knows your password, change it when ready. You can also set up two-factor authentication through your email provider to add an extra layer of security.