my Social Security: What to Know about Signing Up or Signing In
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
We 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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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account, online services
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Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Teresa P.
we have one e-mail account Can I use that one e-mail account to set up both our one line accounts
Ann C.
Hi, Teresa. Thanks for your question. Each person will need to use a separate email account to register with Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Rod H.
I have set up an account with login.gov to specifically use ssa.gov website, however I have not received an activation code. I keep following prompts and checking that I do not have a code yet, but it keeps taking me in circles. What am I missing? Does this code come by mail vs email/text?
Ann C.
Hi, Rod. Thanks for visiting our blog. The Login.gov contact center will assist you through the Login.gov proofing flow only i.e. to help create, sign in and manage your login.gov account. This is done only through their online web support page (https://login.gov/contact/) where you can submit your questions/concerns. Though you can submit your questions at any time, login.gov’s customer support operating hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and it could take up to two business days for their customer support agents to respond to inquiries. We hope this helps.
Sue G.
same with me and the SSA account link does not show as an agency at login.gov
Lauri A.
My Aunt receives social security and I want to set up a My Social Security account for her. She does not have a cell phone or email address. Can I let her use mine? I have my own SS account using the same cell and email.
Ann C.
Hi, Lauri. Thanks for visiting our blog. Unfortunately, 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.
Christine E.
I registered a user and password before 9/21…can I just use my user name and password to get to my account .
Ann C.
Hi, Christine. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you created a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, go to http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount and click on “Sign In” where you enter your username and password. If you created a my Social Security account on September 18, 2021 or later, you sign in using login.gov or id.me because that is what you used to create your account. If you continue to have difficulties, call our dedicated my Social Security Hotline at 1-800-772-1213, and say “helpdesk” at the voice prompt. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). You can also contact your local Social Security office directly. Look for the general inquiry telephone number using our Social Security Office Locator link. We hope this helps.
Steve M.
My DOB is 2/12/56 which would make me eligible for my full SS benefit on June 12 2022 correct? If so what is the earliest date that I can apply to receive that full benefit?
Thanks Steve
Ann C.
Hi, Steve. Since you were born in 1956, your full retirement age is 66 and 4 months. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. You can apply for your retirement benefits online at any time now. Remember that benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of June, you will receive your first benefit payment in July. We hope this helps.