Where to log in to your Social Security account

You log in to your Social Security account through my Social Security, which is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The website is ssa.gov/myaccount. You do not log in through a separate benefits portal or a third-party site — only through that official SSA page.

When you arrive at ssa.gov/myaccount, you will see a "Sign In" button. If you do not have an account yet, you create one there before you can view your information. The account itself is free and takes about 10 minutes to set up.

You can also access your account through a mobile app called "my Social Security," available on both iPhone and Android. The app uses the same login as the website, so if you create an account on the computer, you can use those same credentials on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • The official login page is ssa.gov/myaccount, run directly by the Social Security Administration — do not use any other website or app claiming to be Social Security.
  • You must create a my Social Security account before you can view your benefit information, and the account is tied to your email address and phone number.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it on the login page using your email address or phone number, and the reset link arrives within minutes.
  • Once logged in, you can view your benefit amount, payment history, and earnings record without calling or visiting an office.

What you need to create an account

To create a my Social Security account, you will need your Social Security number, a valid email address, and a phone number where you can receive text messages or a call. The SSA uses these to verify your identity during setup.

You will also need to answer security questions based on your personal history — questions like where you lived at a certain time or details from your credit report. These are randomly generated and different for each person, so there is no way to prepare a list of answers in advance.

The entire setup process happens online. You do not need to visit a Social Security office or mail anything in. If you run into trouble during account creation, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for help creating your account.

Logging in if you forget your password

If you forget your password, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Forgot Password?" on the login screen. You will be asked to enter either your email address or phone number — whichever one you used when you created the account.

The SSA will send you a password reset link to that email or phone number. The link usually arrives within a few minutes. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log in right away. The new password must be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character (like ! or @).

If you do not receive the reset link within 10 minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes the email gets filtered there by mistake. If you still cannot find it, you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask the SSA to help you reset your password over the phone.

What you can see and do once you are logged in

Once you log in, you can view your current benefit amount, the date your payments started, and how much you receive each month. You can also see your complete payment history going back several years, which shows the exact date and amount of each deposit.

You can view your earnings record — the record of wages you earned and paid Social Security taxes on throughout your working years. This record is used to calculate your benefit amount, so checking it occasionally helps you catch any errors before they affect your payments.

You can also change your direct deposit information, update your phone number or email address, request a replacement Social Security card, and view documents like your Social Security statement. You cannot change your benefit amount or restart your payments through the account — those changes require contacting the SSA directly.

Security and protecting your account

Your my Social Security account is protected by a password and security questions. The SSA also uses encryption, which means your information is scrambled as it travels between your computer and their servers.

Never share your password with anyone, including SSA staff. The SSA will never ask you for your password by email, phone, or text message. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Social Security and asks for your password, that is a scam — hang up or delete the message and report it to the SSA at oig.ssa.gov/report.

If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password immediately and call 1-800-772-1213 to report it. The SSA can review your account activity and help you secure it.

If you cannot create an account or log in

If you are having trouble creating an account, the most common reasons are that your email address is already tied to another account, your phone number is not receiving text messages, or you are entering your Social Security number in the wrong format (it should be entered as nine digits with no dashes or spaces).

If you have tried multiple times and still cannot get in, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. They can verify your identity over the phone and either help you create an account or provide the information you need directly without logging in online.

You can also visit a local Social Security office in person. Find the nearest office by going to ssa.gov/locator and entering your zip code. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card or a document showing your number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Social Security the same as my SSA account?

No. "Social Security" is the federal program itself. "my Social Security" is the online account you create to view your information. You can receive Social Security benefits without ever creating a my Social Security account — you can call or visit an office instead — but the account makes it faster to check your information anytime.

Can I log in on my phone?

Yes. You can use the my Social Security mobile app on iPhone or Android, or you can open ssa.gov/myaccount in your phone's web browser. Both use the same login. The app is simpler to navigate on a small screen, but the website works fine too.

What if I do not have a phone number that receives texts?

You can use a landline number instead of a cell phone, and the SSA will call you to verify your identity rather than sending a text. During account creation, you will have the option to choose phone call instead of text message.

Can someone else log into my account?

No. Each account is tied to one person's Social Security number and email address. A representative payee (someone appointed to manage benefits for you) cannot log in using your credentials — they have their own separate access through a different system.

How often should I check my account?

There is no requirement to check it, but many people log in once or twice a year to verify their payment history is correct and their direct deposit information is current. If you notice any payments missing or any information that looks wrong, contact the SSA right away.