Getting to the Social Security Website and Signing In
The official Social Security website is ssa.gov. To access your personal account, you go to my Social Security, which is the login portal within that site. You can reach it directly at ssa.gov/myaccount.
When you arrive at the login page, you will see a box asking for your username and password. If you have never logged in before, you will need to create an account first — there is a link on that same page that says "Create an account" or "Sign up now." The account creation process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and an email address you can access right now.
Once your account is set up, you enter your username and password to log in. Social Security will then ask you to verify your identity a second time using information only you would know — this might be questions about your credit history, past addresses, or other personal details. This extra step protects your account from unauthorized access.
Key Takeaways
- The official Social Security login is at ssa.gov/myaccount, and you need a username and password to enter.
- First-time users must create an account using their Social Security number, date of birth, and a working email address.
- Social Security requires a second identity verification step during login, usually answering security questions based on your personal history.
- If you forget your password, you can reset it on the login page without calling Social Security.
- Your my Social Security account lets you view your earnings record, check benefit estimates, and manage your benefits online.
Creating Your my Social Security Account
Before you can log in, you need to create an account. Start by clicking "Create an account" on the ssa.gov/myaccount page. Social Security will ask you to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. Make sure the email address is one you check regularly — Social Security will send you a verification link to that inbox.
Next, you choose a username and password. Your username can be anything you want — 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 at least one special character like ! or @. Write this down somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.
After you submit this information, Social Security sends a verification email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the link inside it within 24 hours. If you do not verify within that time, you will have to start the account creation process over.
What Happens When You Log In
Once you enter your username and password, Social Security asks you to prove your identity a second time. This is called multi-factor authentication. The system may ask you security questions — for example, "Which of these addresses did you live at in 2015?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" — and you answer based on information in your credit file or Social Security records.
If you cannot answer the security questions, or if Social Security cannot verify your identity this way, you will be locked out of your account temporarily. You can try again later, or you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to verify your identity over the phone and regain access.
Resetting a Forgotten Password
If you forget your password, do not try to log in multiple times. Instead, click the "Forgot username or password?" link on the ssa.gov/myaccount login page. Social Security will ask you to enter your username and email address, then send you a password reset link to that email.
Click the link in the email and create a new password. Remember that it must be at least 12 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character. Once you have set your new password, you can log in with your username and the new password.
If you do not receive the reset email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, the email address on file may be incorrect. In that case, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to update your email address.
Using a Third-Party Login Service
You do not have to create a separate Social Security username and password. Instead, you can log into my Social Security using an account you already have with Login.gov, ID.me, or your bank's online banking system. These are called federated login options.
On the ssa.gov/myaccount page, look for buttons that say "Sign in with Login.gov," "Sign in with ID.me," or "Sign in with your financial institution." Click the one that matches an account you already use. You will be taken to that service's login page, and once you log in there, you will be sent back to my Social Security without having to remember another password.
This method is often faster if you already use one of these services. However, you still have to go through the identity verification step that Social Security requires.
What You Can Do Once You Are Logged In
Inside my Social Security, you can view your earnings record — a list of all the wages you have earned that Social Security has on file. You can also see an estimate of how much your retirement, disability, or survivor benefits would be at different ages. You can change your address or phone number, set up direct deposit for your benefits, and request a replacement Social Security card.
If you are already receiving benefits, you can view your payment history and the amount of your monthly benefit. You can also report a change in your circumstances — for example, if you got married, divorced, or started working again — and Social Security will tell you whether that change affects your benefits.
Troubleshooting Login Problems
If you see an error message saying your username or password is incorrect, make sure you are typing them exactly as you created them. Passwords are case-sensitive, which means "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword." If you are still having trouble, use the password reset link to create a new password.
If you are locked out of your account after too many failed login attempts, wait a few hours before trying again. Social Security temporarily locks accounts as a security measure. If you remain locked out after waiting, or if you see an error message you do not understand, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. A representative can help you regain access or answer questions about your account.
If you are having trouble with the identity verification step — for example, you cannot remember the answers to the security questions — you can ask Social Security to verify you a different way. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain that you cannot log in. A representative can verify your identity over the phone and may be able to reset your verification settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ssa.gov/myaccount the only official Social Security login?
Yes. The only official Social Security website is ssa.gov. Be careful of websites that look similar but have slightly different names — scammers sometimes create fake Social Security sites to steal login information. Always type ssa.gov directly into your browser or search for "Social Security my account" and click the official result.
Can I log in to my Social Security account on my phone?
Yes. The my Social Security website works on phones and tablets. You can use the same username and password you use on a computer. The login process and identity verification are the same whether you are on a phone or a desktop.
What should I do if I think someone else logged into my account?
Change your password when ready using the password reset link on the login page. Then call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the unauthorized access. A representative can review your account activity and help you find it. Do not share your password or security question answers with anyone, including Social Security employees — Social Security will never ask for your password.
Do I need to create a my Social Security account to check my benefits?
You need an account to view your personal information online. However, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your benefits without logging in. A representative can answer questions about your earnings record, benefit amount, and payment status over the phone.
How often should I change my password?
Social Security does not require you to change your password on a set schedule. However, it is a good idea to change it if you think someone knows it, if you use the same password on other websites, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You can change your password anytime by logging in and going to your account settings.