How to Set Up and Use Your Social Security My Account

What My Account is and what it does

My Account is a free online portal run by the Social Security Administration where you can view your earnings record, check your benefit statement, and manage some of your Social Security information without calling or visiting an office. You create a username and password, log in, and access your account from any computer or phone with internet.

The portal shows you what Social Security has on file about your work history and estimated benefits. You can also change your address, request a replacement Social Security card, set up direct deposit, and report a change in circumstances. Not every Social Security task is available online — some still require a phone call or office visit — but My Account handles the ones people use most often.

Key Takeaways

• My Account is free and requires only an email address and phone number to set up; you do not need to visit an office or call Social Security first.
• You can view your complete earnings record, see your estimated retirement or disability benefit amount, and check the status of any pending claims.
• The portal lets you change your address, set up direct deposit, request a replacement card, and report work or income changes without waiting on hold.
• You must create a username and password yourself; Social Security will not create an account for you or send you a login link unsolicited.
• Some tasks — like appealing a decision or reporting a death — still require a phone call or office visit, so My Account does not replace all contact with Social Security.

How to create your My Account login

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." You will need a valid email address and a phone number where Social Security can reach you. Social Security will send a verification code to your email; enter that code to confirm the address is yours.

Next, you choose a username and password. The username can be anything you want — it does not have to be your real name. The password must be at least 12 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character (like ! or @). Write down your username and password somewhere safe, or use a password manager.

After you create your login, Social Security will ask you security questions to confirm your identity. These are questions only you should know the answer to — things like "What was the name of your first pet?" or "In what city were you born?" Answer honestly and remember your answers, because you will need them if you ever forget your password.

What information you can see in My Account

Once you log in, you can view your earnings record — a year-by-year list of how much you earned and how much Social Security tax you paid. This is important because your benefit amount is based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you see a year with zero earnings or a number that looks wrong, you can report it to Social Security through the portal or by calling them.

You can also see your benefit statement, which shows your estimated retirement benefit at different ages (62, full retirement age, and 70), your estimated disability benefit if you became unable to work today, and your family's estimated survivor benefits if you died. These are estimates based on your current earnings record and assume you keep working until the age shown. The statement updates once a year.

If you have filed for benefits or are waiting for a decision on a claim, you can check the status in My Account. The portal will tell you whether Social Security is still reviewing your claim, whether they need more information from you, or whether a decision has been made. If a decision was made, you can view the letter explaining it.

Tasks you can complete without calling or visiting an office

My Account lets you change your mailing address or phone number without filling out a form or waiting on hold. The change takes effect within a few days. You can also request a replacement Social Security card if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged. Social Security will mail the new card to your address on file; it usually arrives within two weeks.

You can set up or change direct deposit for your benefits. If you receive Social Security payments, you can add or update your bank account information so payments go straight to your account instead of a debit card. You can also report a change in your work or income if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and your circumstances have changed.

If you have a my Social Security account, you can also view and print your benefit verification letter, which some employers or landlords ask for as proof that you receive Social Security. You can download it as a PDF and use it right away — you do not have to wait for a paper copy in the mail.

What you cannot do in My Account

Some Social Security tasks still require a phone call or office visit. You cannot file a new claim for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits through My Account — you must call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local office. You also cannot appeal a decision or request a hearing through the portal.

If you need to report a death, you must call Social Security or visit an office in person. The same is true if you want to request a different payment date, suspend your benefits, or make changes to your representative payee or work incentives. My Account is a tool for viewing information and making routine updates, not for major changes to your claim.

How to stay safe and protect your account

Never share your My Account username or password with anyone, including family members or people claiming to work for Social Security. Social Security employees will never ask you for your password. If someone calls or emails asking for your login information, it is a scam — hang up or delete the message.

Use a strong, unique password that you do not use for any other website. If you use the same password for your bank, email, and Social Security account, a hacker who breaks into one site can access all three. Change your password every few months, and change it immediately if you think someone else knows it.

Log out of My Account when you are done, especially if you are using a shared computer or phone. Do not leave your account open unattended. If you ever see activity in your account that you did not do — like an address change you did not make — call Social Security right away at 1-800-772-1213.

Troubleshooting common login and access problems

If you forget your username, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Forgot username?" Enter your email address and Social Security will send your username to that email. If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" and Social Security will send you a link to create a new one. You will need to answer your security questions correctly before you can reset it.

If you cannot create an account because Social Security says it cannot verify your identity, it usually means the information you entered does not match what is in their system. Double-check your name, date of birth, and Social Security number for spelling errors. If everything is correct and you still cannot create an account, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to help you set up My Account over the phone.

If you can log in but cannot see your earnings record or benefit statement, it may mean Social Security is still processing your information or there is a technical issue. Try logging out and logging back in. If the problem continues, call Social Security or visit your local office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to create a My Account to receive Social Security benefits?

No. My Account is optional and free. You can receive Social Security benefits without ever creating an account. However, having an account makes it easier to check your benefit status, update your address, and view your earnings record without calling or visiting an office.

Can I file for Social Security retirement benefits through My Account?

No. You must file for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local office, or using their online filing tool at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement. My Account is for viewing information and making updates to an existing account, not for filing new claims.

What if I do not have an email address or phone number?

You need both an email address and a phone number to create My Account. If you do not have either, you can still contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office in person. An employee can help you with the same tasks, though it may take longer.

Is My Account safe? Can hackers steal my information?

My Account uses encryption and security measures to protect your information, but no website is completely risk-free. The best protection is a strong, unique password and logging out when you are done. Never share your login with anyone, and report suspicious activity to Social Security immediately.

How often does my benefit statement update in My Account?

Your benefit statement updates once a year, usually in September or October. It is based on your earnings record as of the previous year. If you recently started working or had a major change in income, the statement may not reflect it until the next update.