What you can do with a my Social Security account
A my Social Security account is a free online portal where you can view your earnings record, check your benefit estimate, and manage your Social Security information without visiting an office or calling. You create the account yourself at ssa.gov using your email address and a password. Once you log in, you can see what the Social Security Administration has on file about your work history and projected benefits.
The account shows your annual earnings dating back to 1951, which is the record Social Security uses to calculate your benefit amount. You can also generate a benefit estimate that projects what you might receive at different ages — 62, full retirement age, or 70. If you have already started receiving benefits, you can view your payment history and the date of your next deposit.
You cannot change your address, request a replacement Social Security card, or report a death through my Social Security. For those tasks, you still need to visit a local office, call 1-800-772-1213, or use a different online tool. But for the information you need most often — checking your record and understanding your benefits — the account handles it.
Key Takeaways
- You create a my Social Security account yourself at ssa.gov using an email address and password; the Social Security Administration does not send you an invitation.
- Your earnings record in the account goes back to 1951 and is the actual record used to calculate your benefit amount.
- You can view a benefit estimate for ages 62, full retirement age, and 70 without waiting for a statement in the mail.
- The account requires identity verification the first time you log in, which usually takes a few minutes using your phone or a video call.
- You cannot change your address or request a replacement card through my Social Security; those tasks require a visit to an office or a phone call.
How to create your account and verify your identity
Go to ssa.gov and select "Create an account" under the my Social Security section. Enter your email address, create a password, and provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The system will ask you security questions based on your credit history — questions like which car you owned or which address you lived at — to confirm you are who you say you are.
If the security questions do not verify your identity, you will be asked to verify using your phone or a video call. For phone verification, you receive a code by text or voice call and enter it into the website. For video verification, you use your computer or phone camera to show a photo ID and answer questions while a representative watches. Video verification usually takes about five minutes.
Once you are verified, you can log in to your account when ready. You do not need to wait for a confirmation email or approval from the Social Security Administration. Your account is active as soon as you finish the verification step.
Reading your earnings record and spotting errors
Your earnings record shows every year you worked and how much you earned in each year, as reported by your employers. Social Security uses this record to calculate your benefit amount — the higher your earnings, the higher your benefit. The record should match your tax returns, but errors do happen: an employer might report earnings under the wrong name or Social Security number, or a year of earnings might be missing entirely.
Check your record for gaps in years you know you worked and for earnings amounts that seem too low or too high. If you spot an error, you have a limited window to report it. For earnings from the current year, you can report an error anytime. For earnings from prior years, you generally have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year in which you earned the money. After that window closes, Social Security can still correct the record if you have documents like tax returns or W-2 forms, but the process is slower.
To report an error, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. Bring documents that show the correct earnings — a W-2, tax return, or pay stub. Social Security will contact your employer to verify the correct amount and update your record.
Understanding your benefit estimate
The benefit estimate in your my Social Security account shows what you might receive per month if you claim at three different ages: 62 (the earliest age), your full retirement age (which depends on your birth year), and 70 (the latest age to delay). The estimate is based on your current earnings record and assumes you will continue working and earning until the age you claim.
The estimate is not a promise. Social Security recalculates it each year as you earn more income, and the actual amount you receive depends on when you claim and whether you continue working after you claim. If you claim before your full retirement age and you are still working, your benefit is reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above a certain threshold (the threshold changes each year). Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.
The estimate also does not account for taxes. Depending on your other income, you may owe federal income tax on part of your Social Security benefit. Use the estimate to understand the range of what you might receive, not as a final number.
Keeping your account find
Your my Social Security account contains sensitive information — your earnings history and benefit details — so protect your login credentials the same way you would protect a bank account password. Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use the same password across multiple websites.
Social Security will never email you asking you to log in or verify your information. If you receive an email claiming to be from Social Security and asking you to click a link or enter your password, it is a scam. Delete it and do not click the link. The real Social Security Administration contacts people by mail or phone, not by email.
If you believe someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and call 1-800-772-1213 to report it. You can also place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus to protect yourself against identity theft.
What to do if you cannot create an account or verify your identity
If the security questions do not verify you and you do not have a phone or camera to complete video verification, you can visit a local Social Security office in person. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card (or a document that shows your number). An employee can verify your identity and help you create your account on a computer in the office, or they can print your earnings record and benefit estimate for you to take home.
If you do not have a phone or camera and cannot visit an office, call 1-800-772-1213 and explain the situation. A representative can verify your identity over the phone using security questions and other information and can read your earnings record and benefit estimate to you. You cannot create an account this way, but you can get the information you need.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number 1-800-325-0778. If you speak a language other than English, Social Security offers interpretation services at no cost — tell the representative your language when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my Social Security statement online?
Yes. Your my Social Security account shows your earnings record and a benefit estimate, which together make up the information that was in the paper statement Social Security used to mail. You can view and print this information anytime you log in. You do not need to wait for a mailed statement.
What if I forgot my password?
Go to ssa.gov, select "Sign in to my Social Security," and click "Forgot password?" You will be asked to verify your identity using security questions or video verification, the same way you did when you created your account. Once verified, you can create a new password.
Can I see my Social Security information if I do not have an email address?
You need an email address to create a my Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account at Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo. Once you have an email address, you can create your Social Security account. If you cannot use email, visit a local office or call 1-800-772-1213 to request your information by phone or mail.
Is my information safe in my Social Security account?
Social Security uses encryption and security measures to protect your account, but no online system is completely risk-free. You can reduce your risk by using a strong password, not sharing your login information, and logging out when you are done. If you are uncomfortable using the online account, you can request your earnings record and benefit estimate by phone or mail instead.
Can I update my address or phone number in my Social Security account?
No. You cannot change your address, phone number, or other personal information through my Social Security. To update your information, visit a local office, call 1-800-772-1213, or use the Social Security website to find other options for your specific need.