Signing In to Your Social Security Account

You log into your Social Security account through a website called my Social Security, which is run by the Social Security Administration. The website is at ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you are signed in, you can view your earnings record, check your benefit statement, change your address, and report a change in your work status — all without calling or visiting an office.

To sign in, you need a username and password that you created when you first set up your account. If you have never created an account before, you will need to set one up first. The setup process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address.

Key Takeaways

  • My Social Security is the official Social Security Administration website where you log in with a username and password you create yourself.
  • You can view your earnings record, check your benefit statement, and report changes without calling or visiting an office in person.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it using your email address or by answering security questions you set up during account creation.
  • The Social Security Administration does not contact people by email or text asking them to log in — if you receive such a message, it is a scam.
  • You can only access your own account; you cannot view or manage someone else's benefits, even as a family member or caregiver.

Creating Your My Social Security Account

Before you can log in, you need to create an account on the Social Security website. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select the option to create a new account. You will be asked for your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. The Social Security Administration will send a verification code to your email — check your inbox and enter that code to confirm your email is real.

Next, you will create a username and password. Your username can be anything you choose — it does not have to be your real name. 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.

After you create your password, you will set up security questions. These are questions only you can answer — for example, "What was the name of your first pet?" or "What city were you born in?" The Social Security Administration uses these answers if you ever forget your password and need to reset it without your email.

Logging In and What You Can Do Once Inside

Once your account is set up, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and enter your username and password. You may be asked to enter a code sent to your email or phone as an extra security step — this is normal and keeps your account safe. After you sign in, you will see your dashboard.

From your dashboard, you can view your Social Security earnings record, which shows how much you earned each year and how much you paid in Social Security taxes. You can also view your benefit statement, which estimates how much you will receive in retirement, disability, or survivor benefits based on your current earnings record. If you are already receiving benefits, you can see your current payment amount and the date your next payment will arrive.

You can also use your account to report a change — for example, if you got married, divorced, changed your name, or moved to a new address. You can report that you returned to work or stopped working. Some changes you can report directly through the website; others may require you to call or visit an office.

Resetting Your Password

If you forget your password, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Forgot username or password?" on the sign-in page. The website will ask you to enter your username and email address. If you enter the correct information, the Social Security Administration will send a password reset link to your email. Click that link and create a new password following the same rules as before — at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a special character.

If you cannot access your email or do not remember your username, you can answer your security questions instead. The website will ask you the questions you set up when you created your account. If you answer them correctly, you can reset your password without needing your email.

If you cannot remember your security questions or no longer have access to your email, you will need to call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office in person. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card or a document that shows your Social Security number.

Protecting Your Account From Scams

The Social Security Administration will never send you an email or text message asking you to log into your account or provide personal information. If you receive a message that looks like it is from Social Security asking you to click a link or sign in, it is a scam. Do not click the link or enter your information.

Real Social Security messages come only through the mail or by phone if you call them first. If you are unsure whether a message is real, hang up or delete it and call the Social Security Administration directly at 1-800-772-1213. Do not use a phone number from the message you received.

Keep your username and password private. Do not share them with anyone, including family members, friends, or people who say they work for Social Security. If someone asks for your password, it is a scam. The Social Security Administration never asks for passwords over the phone or by email.

What to Do If You Cannot Create or Access Your Account

If you try to create an account and the website says your Social Security number is not in the system, it may mean you have never worked or paid Social Security taxes. You can still call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to ask questions about your record, but you will not be able to create a my Social Security account until you have earnings in the system.

If you created an account but cannot sign in, first try resetting your password using the steps above. If that does not work, check that you are using the correct username — remember that usernames are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you still cannot sign in after resetting your password, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office.

If you are over 65 and do not have an email address or are not comfortable using a computer, you can call the Social Security Administration instead. A representative can answer questions about your benefits and help you report changes over the phone. You do not have to use the website to manage your Social Security account.

Managing Your Account on a Mobile Device

You can log into my Social Security on a phone or tablet using the same username and password you use on a computer. Open a web browser on your phone and go to ssa.gov/myaccount. The website will adjust to fit your phone screen, though some tasks may be easier on a larger screen.

The Social Security Administration also has an official mobile app called "my Social Security" that you can read from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app lets you sign in and view your earnings record and benefit statement. You log in with the same username and password as the website. The app does not let you do everything the website does — for example, you cannot report a change of address through the app — but it is useful for checking your information when you are away from a computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log into someone else's Social Security account?

No. Each person can only access their own account using their own username and password. If you are a caregiver or family member and need to help someone manage their benefits, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration directly at 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office in person. You may need to show power of attorney or guardianship documents.

What if I do not have an email address?

You need an email address to create a my Social Security account because the Social Security Administration uses it to verify your identity and send password reset codes. If you do not have an email address, you can create a free one through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo. Once you have an email address, you can set up your Social Security account. If you prefer not to use email, you can call 1-800-772-1213 instead.

Is my Social Security account the same as my Social Security card?

No. Your Social Security card is a physical card with your Social Security number printed on it. Your my Social Security account is a website account you create online. You need your Social Security number to create the account, but the account itself is separate from the card. You can have a my Social Security account without carrying your card with you.

How often should I check my Social Security account?

You can check your account as often as you want. Many people check it once a year to make sure their earnings record is correct, especially after they file their taxes. If you are receiving benefits, you may want to check it monthly to confirm your payment arrived. There is no limit to how many times you can log in.

What should I do if I see an error in my earnings record?

If you see earnings that are wrong or missing from your record, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Bring documents that show your correct earnings, such as old tax returns or pay stubs. The Social Security Administration will investigate and correct your record if the error is confirmed. Errors in your earnings record can affect how much you receive in benefits.