What My Account does and why you need it
My Account is the official Social Security Administration (SSA) online portal where you can view your earnings record, check your benefit statement, and manage your account from home. You reach it at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. It is not a separate service — it is the SSA's own system, and creating an account there is free.
The main reason to set one up is to see your actual earnings history as Social Security has it recorded. Mistakes in that record — a missing year, a misspelled name, an employer who reported your wages wrong — can lower your benefit amount when you claim. My Account lets you spot those errors before you apply for benefits, which can save you thousands of dollars over your lifetime.
You can also use My Account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of a pending application, and see an estimate of what your benefit might be at different ages. If you are already receiving benefits, you can view your payment history and tax statements from there as well.
Key Takeaways
- My Account is the SSA's official website for viewing your earnings record and benefit estimates, and you create it free at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
- You will need a valid email address and a way to verify your identity — either a U.S. mobile phone number, a credit report, or answers to security questions based on your financial history.
- Checking your earnings record now can catch mistakes that would otherwise reduce your benefits, and you should review it every few years.
- My Account also lets you request a replacement Social Security card and check the status of applications you have submitted to Social Security.
How to create your My Account login
Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will need a valid email address that you check regularly — Social Security uses it to send you security alerts and password reset links. Choose a strong password: at least 12 characters, with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol.
After you enter your email and password, Social Security will ask you to verify your identity. You have three paths: provide a U.S. mobile phone number and receive a one-time code by text, let Social Security check your credit report (which does not hurt your credit score), or answer security questions based on your financial history — things like past addresses, loan amounts, or credit card accounts you have held. The credit report method is usually fastest if you have established credit.
Once you verify your identity, your account is live. You can log in anytime with your email and password. Social Security recommends setting up two-factor authentication (also called multi-factor authentication) in your account settings — this adds a second security step when you log in from a new device, making it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they know your password.
What information you can see in My Account
Your earnings record shows every year you worked and how much Social Security recorded you earned. It goes back to when you first got your Social Security number. Look for gaps where you worked but nothing was reported, or years where the amount looks wrong. If you spot an error, you have a limited window to report it — Social Security generally cannot correct earnings from more than three years, three months, and 15 days in the past, though there are narrow exceptions.
Your benefit estimate shows what you might receive if you claim at your full retirement age (which depends on your birth year), or what you might get if you claim earlier at 62 or later at 70. The estimate assumes you keep working at your current rate until you claim. If you plan to retire earlier or later than expected, the estimate will change. Remember that this is an estimate, not a may provide — your actual benefit depends on your exact earnings record and the age you claim.
If you are already receiving benefits, My Account shows your payment history — the date and amount of each check you received — and your tax statements (the SSA-1099 form). You can download these statements to file your taxes or for your records.
Fixing errors in your earnings record
If you find a mistake — a year with no earnings when you worked, or an amount that is clearly wrong — do not wait. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of getting it corrected. You will need proof: a W-2 from that year, a pay stub, or a tax return showing your earnings.
You can report the error through My Account by clicking the option to report a correction, or you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak to a representative. Have your proof ready. Social Security will investigate and contact you if they need more information. Corrections can take several weeks to process.
If the error involves wages that Social Security says were reported under your number but you did not earn them — for example, an employer reported someone else's wages under your Social Security number — that is identity theft and needs to be reported to Social Security and the IRS. Call Social Security immediately and explain what happened.
Requesting a replacement Social Security card through My Account
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement through My Account without visiting an office. Click "Replace your Social Security card" and follow the steps. You will need to verify your identity again, and Social Security will ask whether you want the card mailed to your address on file or to a different address.
The replacement card is free. Social Security will mail it to you — delivery usually takes 7 to 10 business days, though it can vary by location. You cannot choose expedited shipping through My Account, but if you need a card urgently, you can visit a local Social Security office in person and sometimes get one faster.
You can request up to three replacement cards in a year and ten in your lifetime. If you are requesting more than that, you will need to visit an office or call.
Checking the status of your application
If you have submitted an application to Social Security — for retirement benefits, disability, Supplemental Security Income, or a replacement card — you can check its status in My Account. Go to "Check your application status" and select the application you want to track. The status will tell you whether it is pending, approved, or denied, and it will show you what documents Social Security has received.
If your application is pending and you have not heard back, the status page will tell you whether Social Security is waiting for documents from you. If it is, upload them through My Account if that option is available, or call the number on your application notice to submit them by mail or fax. Submitting missing documents can speed up your case.
Keeping your account secure
Your My Account login gives access to sensitive information — your earnings history, your benefit amount, and the ability to request a new Social Security card. Protect it the way you would protect your banking password. Use a password manager if you have one; do not share your password with anyone, including Social Security employees (they will never ask for it); and log out when you are done, especially on a shared computer.
Turn on two-factor authentication in your account settings. When you do, Social Security will send a code to your phone or email every time you log in from a device it does not recognize. This stops someone from accessing your account even if they have your password.
If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password immediately and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you suspect identity theft, also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.
What to do if you cannot create an account or forgot your password
If you try to create an account and Social Security says it cannot verify your identity, it usually means the information you provided does not match what is in Social Security's records or the credit bureaus' records. This can happen if you recently moved, changed your name, or have very limited credit history. You have two options: try again with different information (for example, a previous address), or visit a local Social Security office in person with a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. An employee can verify your identity and help you create your account.
If you forgot your password, click "Forgot password?" on the login page. Social Security will send a reset link to your email. If you no longer have access to that email address, you will need to create a new account with a current email address, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Account the same as creating a login at SSA.gov?
No. SSA.gov is the main Social Security website where you can read information and find office locations. My Account is a separate login system that gives you access to your personal information. You create it at www.ssa.gov/myaccount, not at the main website.
Can I change my benefit amount or claim date through My Account?
No. My Account lets you see your estimate and check your application status, but you cannot change your benefits or claim date through it. To make changes, you need to contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213, visit an office in person, or submit a form by mail.
What if I see earnings in my record that are not mine?
Report it to Social Security right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. This could mean an employer reported wages under your number by mistake, or it could be a sign of identity theft. Social Security will investigate and help you correct the record.
How often should I check my earnings record?
Social Security recommends checking it every few years, or whenever you change jobs or have a major life change. The sooner you catch an error, the easier it is to fix. If you are within a few years of claiming benefits, check it at least once to make sure everything is accurate.
Can I use My Account on my phone?
Yes. My Account works on phones and tablets as well as computers. You log in the same way, and all the same features are available. The layout adjusts to fit your screen size.