The fastest way to access your Social Security information is through my Social Security, the official account portal run by the Social Security Administration

my Social Security is a free online account where you can view your earnings record, check your benefit statement, change your address, and report a change in your circumstances. You do not need to visit an office or call — you can do all of this from home, any time of day. The portal is at ssa.gov/myaccount.

To sign in, you will need either a my Social Security username and password you created before, or you can use a Login.gov account (a separate federal login system that works across multiple government websites). If you do not have either one, you will need to create an account first, which takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number.

Key Takeaways

  • my Social Security is the official Social Security Administration portal at ssa.gov/myaccount, and it is the only place you should enter your Social Security number to access your account online.
  • You can sign in with a my Social Security username and password, or with a Login.gov account, which is a federal login that works on multiple government sites.
  • Creating an account requires your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number for verification.
  • Once signed in, you can view your earnings history, check your benefit statement, update your address, and report changes without calling or visiting an office.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Username or Password" link on the login page — do not call a number you find in a search result, as scammers often pose as Social Security.

Creating a my Social Security account for the first time

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account." You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a U.S. phone number (mobile or landline). The Social Security Administration will send a one-time code to that phone number to verify you are the account holder.

Next, you will create a username and password. Your username must be between 8 and 20 characters. 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 these down somewhere safe — you will need them every time you sign in.

After you verify your phone number with the code, your account is active. You can sign in immediately.

Using Login.gov instead of a my Social Security password

Login.gov is a separate federal account system that the Social Security Administration now accepts as a way to sign into my Social Security. If you already have a Login.gov account (used for IRS, Medicare, or other federal services), you can link it to your Social Security account instead of creating a separate username and password.

To use Login.gov, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Sign in with Login.gov." You will be taken to the Login.gov website, where you sign in with your Login.gov username and password. Login.gov will then ask you to verify your identity by confirming your Social Security number and phone number. Once verified, you will be returned to my Social Security and signed in.

Many people find Login.gov simpler because they use one password for multiple government accounts. However, both methods work equally well — choose whichever you prefer.

What to do if you forget your username or password

On the my Social Security login page, select "Forgot Username or Password?" You will be asked to enter your Social Security number and email address. The Social Security Administration will send a password reset link to your email. Click the link, and you will be able to create a new password.

If you do not have access to the email address you used when you created your account, you will need to create a new account with a different email address. You can have only one active my Social Security account per Social Security number.

Do not call a phone number you find in a search result claiming to help you reset your password. Scammers often pose as Social Security and ask for personal information over the phone. The only official way to reset your password is through the link on ssa.gov/myaccount.

What you can do once you are signed in

Once you are in your account, you can view your Social Security earnings record — the complete history of wages reported to Social Security under your number. This is important to check because errors in your earnings record can lower your future benefit amount. If you spot a mistake, you can report it through the account or contact Social Security directly.

You can also view your benefit statement, which shows an estimate of what you might receive at different ages (62, full retirement age, or 70). This estimate is based on your current earnings record and assumes you continue working until that age. The statement updates once a year.

You can update your mailing address, phone number, and email address without visiting an office. You can also report a change in your circumstances — such as a change in income, a move out of the country, or a change in your living situation — which may affect your benefits if you are already receiving them.

Security and protecting your account

Your my Social Security account is protected by the username and password (or Login.gov credentials) you create. Do not share your login information with anyone, including family members or people claiming to work for Social Security. Social Security staff will never ask for your password.

If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password immediately by signing in and selecting "Settings." If you cannot sign in because the password has been changed, use the "Forgot Username or Password?" link to reset it.

If you believe your Social Security number has been stolen or misused, you can report it to the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. You can also report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov.

What to do if you cannot create or access an account

If you are having trouble creating an account or signing in, the problem is usually one of these: the email address or phone number you entered is not correct, your browser is not up to date, or you are using a VPN or proxy service (which Social Security blocks for security reasons). Try signing in from a different device or browser, and make sure you are using the correct email address and phone number.

If you still cannot access your account after trying these steps, you can contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time) or visit your local Social Security office in person. You will need to bring a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Social Security the same as my Login.gov account?

No, they are separate. my Social Security is run by the Social Security Administration, and Login.gov is run by the federal government. However, you can use your Login.gov account to sign into my Social Security if you link them. You do not have to — you can use a my Social Security username and password instead.

Can I sign into my Social Security account on my phone?

Yes. my Social Security works on phones and tablets. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount in your phone's web browser and sign in the same way you would on a computer. There is no official Social Security app for my Social Security, so do not download an app claiming to be one.

What if I do not have a phone number to verify my account?

You will need a U.S. phone number (mobile or landline) to create a my Social Security account online. If you do not have one, you can visit your local Social Security office in person with a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number, and staff can help you set up an account or access your information.

Can someone else sign into my Social Security account if they know my password?

Yes, which is why it is important to keep your password private and change it if you think someone else knows it. If you share a computer with family members, sign out of your account when you are done. Do not write your password on paper or share it over email or text.

What should I do if I see suspicious activity in my account?

Change your password immediately by signing in and selecting "Settings." If you cannot sign in, use the "Forgot Username or Password?" link to reset it. Then contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the suspicious activity and ask whether anyone has made changes to your account or benefits.