How to Change Your Second Factor Authentication for Your Personal my Social Security Account
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: April 18, 2025
This is part three of our three-part blog series, “my Social Security 101.” Miss the first two blogs? You can read Part 1 and Part 2 here.
Did you recently get a new cell phone number or email address? If you did, you will need to update your personal my Social Security account to reflect the new number or email. You will be required to use the second factor process to access your account. Second factor authentication provides an extra level of security for your account. Here’s what you need to know to help you keep your account safe and secure.
To update the second factor authentication on your account, go to the Sign In page. Enter your username and password. Then, follow these steps:
- On the page that asks you to “Please verify your cell phone number” or “Please verify your email address”—depending on which one is currently listed as your second factor, choose, “No, it is no longer valid and must be changed.” If you registered both your cell phone and email address, you will get a screen with both options. Choose this option to let us know that you can no longer access it.
- Click “Next.”
- Scroll down and check the “I agree to the Terms of Service” box.
- Click “Next.”
- Enter your mailing address and primary phone number in the “Provide Information” page.
- Click “Mail Reset Code Instructions.”
- Then, click “Done” on the next page.
After completing these steps, you’ll receive a letter by mail in 5 to 10 business days. Your letter will contain a reset code and step-by-step instructions for changing where you receive security codes.
When you receive the letter with your reset code, go to the Sign In page, enter your username, and include your password. Then, you can:
- Click “Sign In.”
- Click “Yes, let’s begin” on the “Do you have your reset code letter?” page.
- Click “Next.”
- Fill in the appropriate field to let us know how you want to receive your security code—whether by text message or email.
- Click “Next.”
- Enter the security code you received—by text message or email—in the space provided.
- Then, click “Submit Security Code.”
- Enter the reset code from your letter on the following page.
- Click “Next.”
- Then, click “Next” again.
- Scroll down and check the “I agree to the Terms of Service” box.
- Click “Next.” This will take you to your my Social Security account.
Be sure to refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page for any additional questions—and check out our most asked questions and main topics. Please share this information with your friends and family—and subscribe to our blog for the latest updates.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Abby R.
I have tried several times to establish the mysocial security account. When I tried to set up IDme, after accepting the photo of my driver’s license and the picture of my face, the system asked for my phone number and then said it did not authenticate my identity! When I’ve tried login.gov, I reached the point where it says to “use Face or Touch unlock … then your security key with secure.login. gov.” I have no security key!
I received a letter outlining the steps to finish setting up the online account, but I can’t get past that security key step!
I’ve called the national and local office, waited on hold, and had the calls dropped.
When I finally got through to 1-800-772-1213, the agent did not know how to get past the step of putting in my (non-existent) security key. Her only suggestion was to set up an appointment for a phone meeting with the local office–for 7 weeks from now! I am trying to sign up for Medicare and do not want to further delay this process.
A.C.
Hi, Abby. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For assistance with ID.me registration and/or the authentication process, please contact ID.me through their customer support page on https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/categories/360005564453-Verifying-for-the-Social-Security-Administration. You can also submit your requests for any inquiries at https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/requests/new. We hope this helps.
Penny
How can I change my security from sending a code to my mail to sending it to my email. I no longer live at that address and I can’t get the code.
Please Help!!!
Thank!
A.C.
Hi, Penny. For assistance with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.
Diana F.
Can I delete my account & start over?
A.C.
Hi, Diana. No, however, if you are encountering a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.
Neil F.
I have a pre-2018 mySSA account. I also have a login.gov account. Can I switch my mySSA account so that I can log in with my login.gov account? (I want to make the change because login.gov uses stronger token-based MFA.)
A.C.
Hi, Neil. Thanks for your question. Yes, you are able to sign in with your Login.gov credentials instead of your previous my Social Security credentials. You can continue to have both sets of credentials if you wish. We hope this helps.
Christian V.
Hello,
I am having an issue with updating my phone number (which is used for 3 ways security). My new number is a French number, your site doesn’t allow for such international number change.
Without this update I can’t access any longer to my online account.
I saw that you have the 800-772-1213 number Helpdesk, I will attempt calling it at the appropriate time.
Thank you for any help you could give me.
Christian V.