Where to find the Social Security login page

The official Social Security login page is at ssa.gov/myaccount. This is the only place Social Security runs its login — not through a third-party site, not through a mobile app store, and not through email links. If you see a login page anywhere else claiming to be Social Security, it is not real.

When you land on ssa.gov/myaccount, you will see a button that says "Sign In" or "Create an Account". The page itself is plain and has the official Social Security Administration seal. Bookmark this exact address so you do not have to search for it each time.

Social Security does not call, email, or text you asking you to log in. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Social Security and asks for your password or to verify your account online, that is a scam. Hang up or delete the message.

Key Takeaways

  • The real Social Security login is only at ssa.gov/myaccount — bookmark it and do not click links in emails or texts.
  • You need either a Social Security number and password, or a third-party login through ID.me, Login.gov, or SignSafe.
  • Creating an account takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and an email address you can access right now.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page — Social Security will send a reset link to your email.
  • Once logged in, you can see your earnings record, check benefit amounts, and read proof of income documents.

What you need before you log in

If you have never logged into a Social Security account before, you will need to create one first. You cannot just show up with your Social Security number — you have to set up credentials. Gather these three things: your Social Security number, your date of birth, and an email address you can access right now (not an old one you forgot the password to).

Social Security will send a confirmation email to the address you provide. You have to click the link in that email within 24 hours, or the account creation process stops and you have to start over. So use an email you check regularly.

If you already have a my Social Security account, you just need your username (or email) and password. If you have forgotten either one, the login page has a "Forgot Username" link and a "Forgot Password" link — use those instead of guessing.

Creating a new my Social Security account

Start at ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an Account". The site will ask you to choose how you want to verify your identity. You have two main paths: create a Social Security password directly, or use a third-party login you already have.

If you choose the Social Security password route, you will enter your Social Security number and date of birth. The system will ask you security questions based on your credit history — things like "Which car have you owned?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" These questions come from public records and credit reports, so answer based on what you actually reported to credit bureaus, not what you think the answer should be.

After you answer the security questions correctly, you create a username and a strong password. Social Security requires at least 12 characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write this password down somewhere safe — not in an email, not in a note on your phone, but in a physical notebook or a password manager you control.

Then you enter your email address. Social Security sends a confirmation link to that email. Click the link within 24 hours and your account is live.

Using a third-party login instead

You do not have to create a Social Security password. Instead, you can log into my Social Security using an account you already have with ID.me, Login.gov, or SignSafe. This is often faster if you have already verified your identity with one of these services for another government program.

On the ssa.gov/myaccount page, look for the buttons that say "Sign in with ID.me", "Sign in with Login.gov", or "Sign in with SignSafe". Click the one that matches the account you already have. You will be taken to that service's login page, and after you log in there, you will be sent back to Social Security. You do not create a separate Social Security password this way.

If you do not have an account with any of these three services and do not want to create one, use the direct Social Security password method instead. Both routes get you to the same place.

What to do if you cannot log in

If you enter your username and password and the system says they are wrong, first check that Caps Lock is not on. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". If you are still locked out, click "Forgot Password" on the login page.

Social Security will ask you to enter your username and email address. If the email matches what is on file, they send a password reset link to that email. Click the link, create a new password, and try logging in again. The reset link works for 24 hours.

If you do not receive the reset email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and try requesting the reset again. If you still cannot receive email from Social Security, you may need to update the email address on file. To do that, you have to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to a representative. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready.

Staying safe on the login page

Social Security will never ask you to log in through a link in an email, a text message, or a phone call. If you receive a message that looks like it is from Social Security asking you to verify your account or confirm your information, do not click any links. Go directly to ssa.gov/myaccount in your browser instead.

Scammers create fake Social Security websites that look almost identical to the real one. The fake sites steal your username and password. Always type ssa.gov/myaccount directly into your address bar, or use a bookmark you created yourself. Do not search for "Social Security login" and click the first result — that result might be an ad for a fake site.

Once you are logged in, Social Security will never ask for your password again. If a page inside your account asks you to re-enter your password, log out when ready and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. That is a sign something is wrong.

What you can do once you are logged in

After you log in, you land on your my Social Security dashboard. From there, you can view your earnings record — the record of wages Social Security has on file for you, which is what your benefit amount is based on. You can also see an estimate of what your retirement, disability, or survivor benefits would be at different ages.

You can read a proof of income letter, which some employers or landlords ask for. You can also change your email address or phone number, update your direct deposit information if you are already receiving benefits, and set up a replacement Social Security card order (in some states).

You cannot file for benefits through my Social Security — you still have to do that by phone or in person at a Social Security office. But you can see whether you have already filed and check the status of an process you submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ssa.gov/myaccount the same as the regular Social Security website?

No. ssa.gov is the main Social Security website with general information. ssa.gov/myaccount is the login page for your personal account. They are related but separate. Always go to myaccount if you need to log in.

What if I do not have an email address?

You cannot create a my Social Security account without an email address. If you do not have one, you can create a free Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook account in a few minutes. You will need to access that email to confirm your Social Security account, so make sure you can log into it right away.

Can I log in on my phone?

Yes. ssa.gov/myaccount works on phones and tablets. There is no official Social Security app — if you see one in an app store claiming to be Social Security, it is fake. Always use the website instead.

How long does a my Social Security account stay active?

Your account stays active as long as you use it at least once every 12 months. If you do not log in for a year, Social Security may deactivate it for security reasons. You can reactivate it by logging in again with your username and password.

What if I think someone else has accessed my account?

Change your password when ready by clicking "Forgot Password" on the login page. Then call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you suspect unauthorized access. They can review your account activity and help you find it.