The official Social Security login is at ssa.gov/myaccount

Social Security maintains one official online portal for account access: my Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount. This is where you create an account, view your earnings record, check benefit payment status, and request documents like a benefit verification letter. There is no other official Social Security login — any other site claiming to be Social Security is not.

You do not need to visit a field office or call to see basic account information. Once you set up my Social Security, you can log in from home or anywhere with internet access. The account is free and takes about 10 minutes to create.

Key Takeaways

  • The only official Social Security login is my Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount; any other site is fraudulent.
  • You create an account using your Social Security number, email address, and a password you choose, then verify your identity through a series of questions or a third-party service.
  • Once logged in, you can view your earnings history, check current and projected benefits, change your address, and download official documents.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot username or password?" link on the login page — Social Security will never ask for your password by email or phone.
  • Scammers impersonate Social Security through fake emails, texts, and websites; the real agency does not contact you first about account problems.

How to create a my Social Security account

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account." You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a password. The password must be at least 12 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character like ! or #.

After you enter this information, Social Security will ask you to verify your identity. You have two options: answer security questions based on your credit history (questions like "In what year did you open your first credit card?"), or use ID.me, a third-party identity verification service. ID.me uses a video call or photo upload to confirm who you are. Either method takes a few minutes. Once verified, your account is active and you can log in immediately.

What you can do once you are logged in

My Social Security shows your complete earnings record — the wages and self-employment income Social Security has on file for every year you worked. This is the record used to calculate your benefit amount, so checking it for errors matters. If you spot a year with missing or incorrect earnings, you can request a correction through the portal or contact Social Security directly.

You can also view your current benefit status: whether you are receiving payments, how much your monthly payment is, and when the next payment arrives. If you have not yet claimed benefits, the portal shows your projected benefit amount at different ages — at 62, at your full retirement age, and at 70. These projections are based on your actual earnings record and current law.

The portal lets you change your address, request a replacement Social Security card (in some states), download a benefit verification letter, and report a change in circumstances like a name change or address change. You can also set up or change your direct deposit information so payments go to your bank account.

If you forget your password or username

On the my Social Security login page, select "Forgot username or password?" You will enter your email address or Social Security number, and Social Security will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link in the email and create a new password following the same requirements (12 characters, mixed case, numbers, and a special character).

If you do not receive the reset email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, make sure you entered the correct email address. If you still cannot reset your password, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak with a representative who can help you regain access.

Recognizing and avoiding Social Security scams

Scammers frequently impersonate Social Security through email, text message, or phone calls. They may claim your account has been locked, your benefits are suspended, or you need to "verify" your information. Real Social Security does not contact you first about account problems — you contact them. Real Social Security also does not ask for your password, full Social Security number, or banking details by email or phone.

If you receive an email or text claiming to be from Social Security, do not click any links or download any attachments. Instead, go directly to ssa.gov/myaccount in your browser and log in to check your account. If something is actually wrong, you will see it there. If you receive a phone call claiming to be from Social Security, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 yourself to verify whether Social Security actually tried to reach you.

Report suspected scams to the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report or by calling 1-800-269-0271. You can also report phishing emails to phishing-report@ssa.gov.

What to do if you cannot access the website

My Social Security is sometimes unavailable for maintenance, usually on weekends or early mornings. If you cannot log in, try again in a few hours. If the site has been down for more than a few hours, you can check the Social Security status page at ssa.gov/myaccount to see if maintenance is scheduled.

If the website is working but you are having trouble logging in, make sure you are using the correct email address or username. Passwords are case-sensitive, so check that Caps Lock is off. If you still cannot log in after trying these steps, use the "Forgot username or password?" option or call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone who can troubleshoot the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Social Security account information secure?

My Social Security uses encryption and security measures to protect your data. However, no online account is completely risk-free. Use a strong, unique password that you do not use on other websites. Do not log in on public Wi-Fi networks, and log out when you are finished. If you notice suspicious activity on your account, change your password immediately and call Social Security.

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

You can start the process online, but you cannot complete a full benefits claim through my Social Security. The portal lets you begin an application, but you will need to finish it by phone or in person at a field office. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to file over the phone without using the website.

What if I do not have an email address?

You need an email address to create a my Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook. Once you have an email address, you can set up your Social Security account. If you prefer not to use the website, you can always call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a field office in person.

Can someone else access my Social Security account?

Only you can log in to your account using your username and password. If you want to give someone power of attorney to handle your Social Security matters, you need to complete a separate legal document and submit it to Social Security. Do not share your password with anyone, even family members or representatives.

How do I know if my earnings record is correct?

Log into my Social Security and review your earnings history year by year. If you see a year with missing or incorrect earnings, contact Social Security within three years, three months, and 15 days of the year in question — after that, corrections are much harder. You can request a correction through the portal or call 1-800-772-1213 with your W-2 or tax return as proof.