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. Tom M.

    Do I understand correctly that since I have an ID and password from before september 18, 2021 that I should not use login.gov or id.me? Id like to use 2FA.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Tom. If you created a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, you can continue using this process to access your personal my Social Security account. Go to http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount and click on “Sign In” where you enter your username and password. For more information, visit our my Social Security: Security and Protection page. We hope this helps. 

  2. Jon/Joanna L.

    Ever feel guilty for working your ass off, then becoming addicted to it, needing to run yourself into the ground! That what I did, but that’s not my biggest downfall.
    I was born with genders dysphoria, associated identity disorder. At 48 years old my wife says I frauded myself by creating my other self email accounts as a place to vent. Not to fraud, I never will or have accepted benefits because I’ve spent my life working my ass.
    And the web devs on this whole site have to know that I know you know, that I’m right.
    Not a thief, and creating more secure platforms that create inclusion, privacy, and web page change opportunity diving boards.
    Construction worker turned web dev developer Secretary in learning while training.

  3. Giovanna M.

    can two social security accounts be on the same computer? trying to set up an account for my husband already set up mine but the website won’tlet me back in to set up his account

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Giovanna. Yes, more than one my Social Security account can log in on the same computer. Each account is unique based on your log in information not unique to the device you use. Keep in mind, however, you can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission. We hope this helps. 

  4. walid f.

    I did a user name and a password may be last may or June and had both with my other passwords on my i password ,i tried to log in to change my address , could not even thou i was certain they are right so I called and they said they will change my address and they did not since i got a letter with the old address forwarded, so i tried to start all over but told that an account exits and to change my password and i did , it did not work , told an account already exits !! this is very frustrating , i will call again tomorrow but i will properly wait for hours , i need help to just change my address

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Walid. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty with your account. 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.” You can also contact your local Social Security office for assistance with your address change. We hope this helps.

       

  5. Mrs. J.

    I can not sign in to my account. Says users name and password are not correct. I have not sign in in the last 2-4 years.I tried to call your office, but you all are so busy, you don’t answer the phone. I really need to talk to somebody. My husband is disabled and I”m retired since 2018. We would appreciate it if somebody get in touch with us. Thank-you,

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mrs. Jones. If you are still unable to access 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.” Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. We hope this helps.

  6. Ron R.

    Can two SSA accounts reside on the same computer?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Ron. Yes, more than one my Social Security account can log in on the same computer. Each account is unique based on your log in information not unique to the device you use. Thanks. 

  7. Freda B.

    I just need to change my phone number on my accout. Cant seem to get this done. Wat am i to do. Freda Baird

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Freda. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps. 

  8. Penny

    Hello, I have a My social security app and had a code mailed to my address, however I know longer live there. Is there another way I can sign in without that code? Thank you

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Penny. For help accessing 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.

  9. kannon m.

    I have not yet recieved the 2021 1099 for my deceased mother in law. How can I access that?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Kannon. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The SSA-1099 is mailed to the last address in our records and is intended for the spouse or executor of the deceased. If you did not receive the benefit statement, the executor will need to contact their local Social Security office with proof of death and proof of executorship. An SSA-1099 can also be given to someone receiving benefits on the deceased beneficiary’s record such as a spouse, parent, or child of the deceased. If you need more information, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative for assistance. We hope this helps.

  10. Shelley J.

    I am having trouble login on and setting up an account. I need to get replacement card now I’m locked out there is an office near me but due to Covid I can’t go there Why are offices not open for walk ins

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Shelley. We are sorry to hear that. 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.” We hope this helps.

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