Creating My Social Security account

A "my Social Security" account is a free, secure online account at SSA.gov that gives you direct access to your Social Security information — whether you are currently receiving benefits or not. Every working American should create one, regardless of age or retirement timeline.

57 steps across 12 sections

1. Go to SSA.gov

  • Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an Account" or "Sign In"
  • You will be given the choice of two credential service providers: Login.gov or ID.me

2. Choose Your Credential Provider

  • Create a Login.gov account with your email address
  • Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) — you can use an authentication app, phone number for SMS codes, security key, or government employee ID
  • Verify your identity by providing your SSN, uploading a state-issued ID (driver's license or state ID card), and taking a photo of yourself with your phone or computer camera
  • Login.gov will verify your information against government records
  • Create an ID.me account with your email address
  • Set a password and enable multi-factor authentication
  • Verify your identity through one of two methods:
  • Self-Service (5–10 minutes): Upload photos of your identity documents (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and record a video selfie. The system compares your face to your documents automatically.
  • Video Chat (15–30 minutes): Upload your identity documents and join a live video call with an ID.me agent who will visually compare you to your documents. This option is available if self-service verification does not succeed.
  • ID.me will verify your information and redirect you back to SSA.gov

3. Accept Terms of Service

  • After verification, you will be redirected to the my Social Security Terms of Service screen
  • Review and accept the terms to access your account

4. Set Up Security

  • Enable additional security features if prompted
  • Consider adding extra verification methods for account recovery
  • Important: No one can create or use an account on your behalf, even with written or verbal permission. Do not allow anyone else to use your account under any circumstances.

5. Prerequisites

  • You must be 18 years of age or older
  • You must have a Social Security Number (SSN)
  • You need a valid email address
  • You need a U.S. mailing address
  • You need a phone number capable of receiving verification codes

6. Troubleshooting

  • If you experience difficulties with Login.gov, visit login.gov/help
  • If you experience difficulties with ID.me, visit the ID.me Help Center at help.id.me
  • You can also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM local time
  • If online verification fails entirely, you can verify your identity in person at a local Social Security office

7. View Your Earnings Record

  • See a year-by-year record of your earnings reported to Social Security by your employers
  • Verify that all your earnings have been correctly reported — this directly affects your future benefits
  • Why it matters: Missing or incorrect earnings will reduce your benefit amount. The sooner you catch and correct errors, the easier it is to fix them (you typically need documentation like W-2s or tax returns)
  • Report errors online or by contacting SSA at 1-800-772-1213

8. Estimate Future Benefits

  • Get personalized estimates for:
  • Retirement benefits at ages 62, 67 (full retirement age for most), and 70
  • Disability benefits if you became disabled today
  • Survivor benefits your family would receive if you died
  • The redesigned Statement includes a bar graph displaying personalized retirement benefit estimates at nine different ages so you can see how delaying benefits increases your monthly payment
  • Use the SSA Retirement Estimator to model different retirement ages and income scenarios

9. Get Your Social Security Statement

  • Access your annual Social Security Statement online anytime (no need to wait for the mailed version)
  • The Statement includes:
  • Your estimated benefits at various retirement ages
  • Your complete earnings history
  • Your total Social Security and Medicare taxes paid
  • Information about disability and survivor benefits
  • The redesigned statement also includes the new and improved cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notice, available earlier than the mailed version

10. Manage Direct Deposit (Beneficiaries Only)

  • If you currently receive Social Security benefits, you can:
  • Change your bank account for direct deposit
  • Update your direct deposit information without visiting an office
  • Start direct deposit if you currently receive paper checks

11. Request a Replacement Social Security Card

  • Request a replacement card online (up to 3 per year, 10 per lifetime)
  • Available in most states — some states still require in-person visits
  • The card is mailed to the address on file with SSA

12. Additional Features

  • Check application status — Track the progress of any pending Social Security application
  • Change your address — Update your mailing address with SSA
  • Get benefit verification letters — Download or print a letter confirming your benefit amount (useful for loans, housing, or other proof-of-income needs)
  • View payment history — See a record of all benefit payments received
  • Manage Medicare — Access Medicare-related information and manage certain Medicare settings
  • Opt out of mailed statements — Go paperless once you can access everything online
  • Set up direct deposit for future benefits — Even before you start receiving benefits, you can pre-configure your bank information

Common Mistakes

  • Waiting until retirement to create an account
  • Not checking your earnings record
  • Ignoring the benefit estimates
  • Sharing your login credentials
  • Not enabling multi-factor authentication

Pro Tips

  • Screenshot your earnings record
  • Check your earnings record every year
  • Use the Retirement Estimator with different scenarios
  • Coordinate with your spouse
  • Report earnings errors immediately

Sources

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