General, Online Services

my Social Security: What to Know about Signing Up or Signing In

January 20, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

older couple reviewing information a laptop computerWe want to help you get the services you need as quickly and safely as possible. Your personal my Social Security account is your gateway to doing business with us online.

Whether you receive benefits now or in the future, you will want to create your personal my Social Security account or use the one you may already have. More than 64 million people already have an account!

Did you know you can use your personal my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security card (in most states), check the status of an application, verify your earnings, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive? Watch our brief video about the benefits of having an account.

We are committed to protecting your information and benefits and take this responsibility seriously. That’s why we ask for personal information to verify your identity in order to create a personal my Social Security account. We work with external partners to securely verify your identity. We do this to protect your data while making our online services easy for you to use.

Ready to sign up? You can now create your new my Social Security account through either of these two credential partners: Login.gov or ID.me.

  • Login.gov is the public’s one account for simple, secure, and private access to participating U.S. government agencies.
  • ID.me is a single sign-on provider that meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements.

A credential includes your username, password, and two-step verification factors. A trusted credential partner helps us securely verify your identity online.

Here is a brief list of some things you need to know when creating or accessing your personal my Social Security account.

I have never accessed my Social Security, and I do not have a Login.gov or ID.me credential:

Visit the my Social Security webpage to get started. You will have the option to create an account with your preferred credential partner, Login.gov or ID.me. Keep in mind:

  • You must be 18 years of age or older and have a Social Security number.
  • You will be redirected to the partner’s website when you select “Sign in with Login.gov” or “Sign in with ID.me.”
  • You must provide a valid email address and some additional information.
  • Once you create the credential, you’ll return to the my Social Security webpage for next steps.

I have never accessed my Social Security, but I already have a Login.gov or ID.me credential:

You can sign in with your credential on the my Social Security webpage and follow the prompts.

I have accessed my Social Security with a Social Security username and password that I created before September 18, 2021:

You should still sign in using your Social Security username and password. This is the first option on the Sign In screen.

I have accessed my Social Security using my existing Login.gov or ID.me credential:

You can sign in to my Social Security using that Login.gov or ID.me credential.

Please encourage your friends and family to create their personal my Social Security account today!

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Daniel D.

    I was unable to sign in to my account and received a letter containing a one-time reset code but cannot find any information as to where to enter this code. I have called the local office and even the representative was CLUELESS on how to do this. I was then redirected and then I called again and was disconnected !!! I am at my wits end.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Daniel. We are sorry to hear that. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter 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.

  2. taksafir

    Thanks for your very good explanation.
    By the way, I posted some points from your article on my website.

    https://www.taksafir.com/

  3. Olga L.

    Hi, I haven’t received my social security number yet, I need an appointment to verify what happen with it, call my please o send me a email, thanks

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Olga. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. Uwe W.

    Hello

    my phone number has changed so I need a reset code to be mailed to me. I’m living abroad (Germany) but your system doesn’t accept a foreign address – the fields for the data do not match. What can I do?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Uwe. Since you are living outside of the U.S., please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.

  5. Nelson W.

    Hello, i turned 65 on dec, I will be working for about 3 more yrs, is there anything I “have to do ” at this point, I have insurance coverage from currentvemp.oyer…..ple advise.

    Nelson Taylor

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Nelson. You may refuse Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period if you actively work and have coverage under a group health plan based on your current employment. You may not need Medicare part B until the work activity ends or that health care coverage is dropped. We always suggest individuals speak to their personnel office, health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for them and to prevent any penalties or delayed enrollment in the future. Please contact your local Social Security office for further assistance or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps. 

       

  6. Ernest S.

    I cannot log in to my account. I remember my username but forgot my password. When I fill in my username, ss# & date of birth to retrieve password it says cannot verify my identity. I have used the site many times but cannot access it now. I need my annual earnings statement for 2021 so I can file my taxes.

    • Donald G.

      i have been in the system before, but i have forgotten my password and security questions. I have retired from my job and no longer have the email that i showed on the .gov system. how do i get my new email set up so i can get a temporary password , so i can set up a new password and security questions and get logged back into the .gov system.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Ernest. If you are still unable to create an account or encounter 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.” For additional information on how to request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. You also may be able to request a replacement SSA-1099 by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. You can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a replacement SSA-1099. We hope this helps.

  7. Delores A.

    All we want to do is change our mailing address. We have recently moved from Wyoming to Colorado. We do not seem to be able to do it either on the phone or by the internet.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Delores. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. We hope this helps. 

  8. estella c.

    Missed a call for phone interview when applying for Medicare.
    Have tried to call back, no one answers the phone. Have been trying for more than 45 minutes. The phone just rings.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Estella. We are sorry to hear that. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. We hope this is resolved soon. 

  9. Suni H.

    I have been locked out for about 8 years just because I forgot my password. They required me to receive a snail mail ‘reset’ code but when it arrives there is nowhere to use it or says it’s already expired. The system is not kind to old people

  10. Joe R.

    Hello,

    Please remove Login.gov and ID.me as an option for creating an account. No one is able to create an online account with my Social Security.

    Use simple way, email address, phone, full name, address, dob, and credit check. That’s it, without locking out beneficaries and citizens from its own information though third-party. And, please integrate a live chat.

    Thank you.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Joe. We are sorry to hear that. Please submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.

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