What My Social Security Account Does

My Social Security is the official Social Security Administration (SSA) online account where you can view your earnings record, check your benefit statement, and manage certain account details without visiting an office or calling. You create the account at ssa.gov/myaccount using your Social Security number, email address, and identity verification.

The account shows you the same information SSA has on file: your lifetime earnings history, estimated benefit amounts at different ages, and the taxes you've paid into Social Security. You can also change your address, phone number, and email; request a replacement Social Security card; and check the status of any pending requests you've submitted to SSA.

You do not need a My Social Security account to receive benefits. If you already receive Social Security payments, your benefits continue whether or not you create an account. The account is a tool for people who want to monitor their record or handle routine tasks online instead of by phone or mail.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a My Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount using your Social Security number, email, and identity verification through ID.me or Login.gov.
  • The account shows your complete earnings history, estimated retirement and disability benefit amounts, and the Social Security taxes you have paid.
  • You can change your address, phone, and email; request a replacement Social Security card; and check the status of requests you have submitted to SSA.
  • Creating an account does not change your benefits or start any new process — it is only a way to view information and handle routine updates online.

How to Create Your Account

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account." You will need your Social Security number, a valid email address, and a phone number. SSA will send a verification code to your email; enter that code to continue.

Next, you will verify your identity through a third-party service — either ID.me or Login.gov. Both services use the same method: you answer security questions based on your credit history and financial records. This step takes a few minutes. If you cannot answer the questions (for example, if you have no credit history), ID.me offers an alternative: you can upload a photo of your driver's license or passport and take a selfie for the system to match.

Once identity verification is complete, you create a password and set up optional two-factor authentication (a security code sent to your phone or email each time you log in). Your account is then active and ready to use.

What Information You Can View

Your earnings record shows every year you worked and how much you earned, as reported by your employers to SSA. This is the foundation for your Social Security benefit amount. You should review it every few years to catch errors — if an employer reported your earnings incorrectly, you can ask SSA to correct it, but you must do so within a set time frame (usually three years, three months, and 15 days from the year the earnings were reported).

Your benefit statement estimates how much you would receive in retirement benefits if you claim at age 62, your full retirement age (which varies by birth year), or age 70. It also shows estimated disability and survivor benefits. These are projections based on your current earnings record and assume you continue working until the age you claim. The amounts will change if you earn more or less in future years.

You can also see the total Social Security and Medicare taxes you have paid over your lifetime. This appears as a single combined figure, not broken down by year.

Changes You Can Make Online

You can update your mailing address, phone number, and email address through your account. These changes take effect immediately and apply to all your Social Security records.

You can request a replacement Social Security card if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged. SSA will mail the new card to your address on file. Processing typically takes one to two weeks. You cannot choose a new number — the replacement card will have your existing number.

If you have submitted a request to SSA (such as a request for a benefit verification letter or a change to your direct deposit information), you can check its status in your account. The status updates as SSA processes your request.

What You Cannot Do in Your Account

You cannot file for benefits through My Social Security. To start receiving retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, you must contact SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213, visit a local SSA office, or use a different online tool called iClaim (available at ssa.gov for retirement and survivor benefits only).

You cannot change your direct deposit information, name, or date of birth through your account. If you need to update these, contact SSA directly by phone or in person. You also cannot report a change in your living situation, work status, or family composition through the account — these changes require a conversation with an SSA representative because they may affect your benefits.

If you are already receiving benefits and need to report a change that affects your payment, do not delay. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Reporting late can result in overpayments that SSA will ask you to repay.

Security and Privacy

Your My Social Security account is protected by the same security standards SSA uses for all online services. Your password should be unique and strong — do not use the same password you use for other accounts. If you set up two-factor authentication, a code is sent to your phone or email each time you log in from a new device, adding an extra layer of protection.

SSA will never ask you for your password by email, phone, or text. If you receive a message claiming to be from SSA and asking for your password or personal information, it is a scam. Do not respond. You can report it to the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.

Your account information is the same as what SSA has in its files. Creating an account does not create new data or expose information that was previously private — it simply gives you online access to records SSA already maintains.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you cannot verify your identity through ID.me or Login.gov, you may have incomplete or outdated information in the credit bureaus' files. Try the alternative verification method (ID.me offers photo ID verification if security questions do not work). If both methods fail, contact SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for help creating your account. An SSA representative can verify your identity over the phone and set up your account manually.

If you forget your password, select "Forgot password?" on the login page. SSA will send a reset link to your email. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create the account, contact SSA by phone to update your email address first.

If your earnings record shows missing years or incorrect amounts, do not assume it is wrong — some employers report earnings late, and the record may update automatically. If the error persists after a few months, contact SSA with documentation of your earnings (such as old tax returns or pay stubs) and ask them to correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a My Social Security account to receive benefits?

No. If you already receive Social Security payments, your benefits continue automatically whether or not you create an account. The account is optional and is only a tool for viewing information and handling routine updates online.

Can I file for benefits through My Social Security?

No. To file for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, you must contact SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213, visit a local office, or use iClaim (for retirement and survivor benefits only). My Social Security does not have a filing function.

What if I cannot verify my identity online?

If ID.me and Login.gov both fail to verify you, contact SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213. An SSA representative can verify your identity over the phone and help you create your account, or they can provide the information you need without an account.

Is my information safe in My Social Security?

Yes. The account uses the same security standards as other SSA online services. Your information is encrypted, and you can add two-factor authentication for extra protection. SSA will never ask for your password by email or phone. If you receive such a request, it is a scam.

How often does my benefit estimate update?

Your benefit estimate updates once a year, usually in September or October. It reflects your earnings through the previous year. If you earn significantly more or less than expected, your estimate may change when it updates.