What you need to sign in to Social Security online
To sign in to your Social Security account, you will use a website called my Social Security at ssa.gov. You do not sign in through a different site or app — the official Social Security Administration runs only this one login page.
Before you try to sign in, have ready either a username and password you created before, or a phone number and email address so you can create a new account. You will also need to verify your identity using information Social Security has on file about you, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to questions about your credit history.
If you do not have an account yet, you can create one the first time you visit. The process takes about 10 minutes and does not require you to call anyone or visit an office.
Key Takeaways
- My Social Security is the only official Social Security login site, found at ssa.gov — never enter your information on any other website.
- You can sign in with a username and password, or create a new account using your phone number and email address.
- Identity verification happens the first time you sign in and may ask you questions about your credit history or other personal details Social Security has on file.
- Once signed in, you can view your earnings record, check the status of any SSDI claim, and update your address or direct deposit information.
Creating a new my Social Security account
If you have never signed in before, start by going to ssa.gov and looking for the "Sign In" button or link. Click "Create an account" and you will be asked to enter your email address and create a username and password. Write down your username and password somewhere safe — you will need them every time you sign in.
After you create your username and password, Social Security will ask you to verify your identity. This usually means answering questions about accounts or credit history in your name. You do not need to have perfect credit or any credit at all — Social Security is checking that you are the person who owns the Social Security number you entered, using information from credit bureaus that they can cross-check.
If the identity questions do not work — for example, if you have never had credit accounts — you can verify by mail instead. Social Security will send you a letter with a code. You enter that code on the website to finish creating your account. This takes about one to two weeks.
Signing in with an existing account
If you already have a my Social Security account, go to ssa.gov and enter your username and password. If you forget your username, you can look it up by entering your email address. If you forget your password, you can reset it by answering security questions or using a code sent to your email.
Some older accounts were created before Social Security added extra security steps. If you have not signed in for a while, you may be asked to verify your identity again the next time you log in. This is normal and protects your account from unauthorized access.
Once you are signed in, you will see your dashboard. From there you can view your earnings record, check the status of any SSDI or SSI claim, update your mailing address, change your direct deposit information, or request a replacement Social Security card.
What to do if you cannot sign in
If you enter your username and password and the site says they are wrong, first check that you are typing them correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters matter. If you are sure you typed them right, use the "Forgot username?" or "Forgot password?" link to reset them.
If you created your account but cannot verify your identity, you have two options. You can try the identity questions again — sometimes the second attempt works if you were unsure about an answer. Or you can choose to verify by mail, which takes longer but does not require you to answer credit questions.
If you see an error message that says your account is locked or suspended, wait 24 hours and try again. Social Security locks accounts temporarily after several wrong password attempts to protect them from hackers. If the account is still locked after 24 hours, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and a representative can help you regain access.
Protecting your account after you sign in
Once you are signed in, do not share your username or password with anyone — not even family members or people who say they work for Social Security. Social Security employees will never ask for your password over the phone or by email.
If you use a computer that other people also use, sign out when you are done. Click the "Sign Out" button at the top of the page. Do not just close the browser window, because that may leave your account open.
If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password right away. Go to your account settings and select "Change Password." If you see information in your account that is wrong — such as earnings that are not yours or a claim you did not file — contact Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213.
What you can and cannot do once signed in
Once you are in your my Social Security account, you can view your earnings record going back to 1951, which shows how much you earned each year and how much Social Security tax you paid. You can also see the estimated benefit amount you would receive at different ages if you were to claim retirement benefits.
If you have filed for SSDI or SSI, you can check the status of your claim — whether it is still being reviewed, whether a decision has been made, or whether Social Security needs more information from you. The status page will tell you what documents you have already sent and what you still need to send.
You cannot file a new SSDI or SSI claim through my Social Security. To start a claim, you must call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or use the online process at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You also cannot appeal a decision through my Social Security — appeals must be filed on paper or through a representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Social Security the same as creating a username for the Social Security office?
Yes. When you create a my Social Security account, that is your official Social Security login. You use the same username and password every time you visit ssa.gov to check your account. There is no separate office login.
What 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 through Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider. Once you have an email address, you can come back and create your Social Security account.
Can I sign in on my phone?
Yes. My Social Security works on phones and tablets as well as computers. Go to ssa.gov in your phone's browser and sign in the same way you would on a computer. The layout adjusts to fit your screen.
What happens if I do not sign in for a long time?
If you do not sign in for 12 months, Social Security may ask you to verify your identity again the next time you try to log in. This is a security measure. You will not lose your account — you just have to go through the verification step again.
Can someone else sign in to 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 by going to your account settings and selecting "Change Password." If you think someone has already accessed your account without permission, call 1-800-772-1213 right away.