You need a my Social Security account to check your earnings record, see your benefit estimate, and manage your Social Security information without visiting an office

A my Social Security account is a free online portal run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It lets you view your earnings history, see what benefits you might receive at different ages, change your address, request a replacement Social Security card, and report a change in your work status. You do not need to visit a Social Security office to do any of this — you can do it from home on a computer or phone.

The account is separate from your Social Security number itself. Your number stays the same; the account is just a way to access your information online. You create it at ssa.gov, and it takes about 10 minutes if you have the right documents ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount by providing your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and email address.
  • The SSA will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your credit history or by uploading a photo ID and taking a selfie.
  • Once your identity is verified, you can log in and view your earnings record, benefit estimates, and tax statements.
  • If you cannot verify your identity online, you can create a limited account and visit a local Social Security office in person to complete verification.

What you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin: your Social Security number, your date of birth, your email address, and a phone number where you can receive a text or call. You will also need to verify your identity, which means either answering questions about your credit history or uploading a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and taking a selfie.

If you do not have a credit history or do not want to answer credit questions, the photo ID and selfie route works instead. The SSA uses these to confirm you are who you say you are. Both methods are free and take a few minutes.

Step-by-step: creating your account

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." Enter your email address and create a password — the password must be at least 12 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol like ! or @. Write it down or save it in a password manager so you do not forget it.

Next, enter your name, date of birth, and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card. The SSA will send a verification code to your email address. Check your email (including spam folders), copy the code, and paste it into the website to confirm your email is real.

Then the SSA will ask you to verify your identity. You will see two options: answer security questions about your credit history, or upload a photo ID and take a selfie. Choose whichever one you are comfortable with. If you choose the credit questions route, the SSA will ask you things like "Which of these addresses did you live at in 2015?" or "Which bank issued your credit card?" Answer as many as you can. If you choose the photo ID route, take a clear photo of the front and back of your ID, then take a selfie looking straight at the camera with good lighting.

After you submit your identity proof, the SSA will verify it — usually within a few minutes, but sometimes up to 24 hours. Once it is verified, you will see a message saying your account is active, and you can log in.

What to do if identity verification fails

If the SSA cannot verify your identity online — for example, if your photo does not match their records or your credit history is too thin — you will get a message saying verification failed. Do not panic. You have two options: try again with a different verification method, or create a limited account and finish verification in person.

If you want to try again, wait a day and use the other method (if you used credit questions, try the photo ID; if you used photo ID, try credit questions). Sometimes the system needs time to update.

If you want to finish in person, you can create a limited account with just your email and password, then visit your local Social Security office with a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number (your card, a tax return, or a W-2). The office staff will verify you and unlock your full account. You can find your local office at ssa.gov/locator.

What you can do once you are logged in

Once your account is active, you can view your earnings record — the wages and self-employment income the SSA has on file for you. Check this for errors, because mistakes can lower your future benefits. If you spot an error, you can report it through your account or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

You can also see your benefit estimate, which shows how much you might receive if you start benefits at age 62, your full retirement age (which varies by birth year), or age 70. This estimate is based on your current earnings record and assumes you keep working until that age. You can also request a replacement Social Security card, report a name change, update your address, or report that you have lost your card.

Keeping your account secure

Use a strong, unique password that you do not use on any other website. If you use the same password everywhere and one website gets hacked, a criminal can access your Social Security account. Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone.

Do not share your password with anyone, including SSA staff. The SSA will never ask for your password by email, phone, or text. If someone contacts you claiming to be from the SSA and asks for your password, it is a scam — hang up or delete the message and report it to the SSA at oig.ssa.gov/report.

Log out when you are done using your account, especially if you are on a shared computer. You can also set up two-factor authentication through your account settings — this adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone when you log in from a new device.

If you forget your password or cannot log in

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address, and the SSA will send you a link to reset it. Click the link, create a new password, and log in. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or wait a few minutes and try again.

If you cannot reset your password or you are locked out of your account, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time) or visit your local Social Security office. Have your Social Security number and photo ID ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a my Social Security account to get benefits?

No. You can receive Social Security benefits without ever creating an account. The account is optional and just makes it easier to check your information and handle some tasks online instead of by phone or mail. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office.

Can I create an account for someone else, like a parent or spouse?

No. Each person must create their own account using their own Social Security number and email address. You cannot create or manage an account for another adult. If someone is unable to create an account themselves, they can call the SSA or visit an office, and staff can help them.

What if I do not have a government-issued photo ID?

You can use the credit history questions to verify your identity instead. If you do not have a credit history or cannot answer those questions, visit your local Social Security office with whatever ID you do have (a school ID, work badge, or passport from another country) and staff will help you create and verify your account in person.

Is my information safe on the my Social Security website?

The SSA uses encryption and security measures to protect your information. However, no website is 100% secure. To protect yourself, use a strong password, do not share it, log out when done, and watch for scam emails or calls claiming to be from the SSA. If you think your account has been hacked, call 1-800-772-1213 right away.

Can I use my my Social Security account to apply for benefits?

You can request a replacement Social Security card and report changes to your information through your account, but you cannot file for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits online yet. To apply for those benefits, you must call 1-800-772-1213, visit an office, or use the online application at ssa.gov/benefits-retirement-application (for retirement only).