What You Need to Log Into My Social Security
To log into your Social Security account online, you will use My Social Security, the official Social Security Administration portal. You access it through ssa.gov, and you will need either a Social Security number and password, or a third-party login through a service like Login.gov, Google, or Microsoft.
The login process itself takes about two minutes once you have your credentials. If you do not yet have an account, you will need to create one first — that process takes about five to ten minutes and requires you to verify your identity through questions about your Social Security history or a document upload.
You do not need to call Social Security or visit an office to set up or use your online account. Everything happens through the website or the official Social Security mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- My Social Security is the only official Social Security online account portal; access it at ssa.gov and log in with your Social Security number and password, or through Login.gov.
- If you do not have an account yet, you will create one by verifying your identity through security questions or document upload, which takes about five to ten minutes.
- Once logged in, you can view your benefit payment status, earnings record, and estimated future benefits without calling or visiting an office.
- If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page; if you forget your username, use "Forgot Username" — both send reset instructions to your email.
- You can also log in through Login.gov, Google, or Microsoft accounts if you prefer not to create a separate Social Security password.
Creating Your My Social Security Account for the First Time
Go to ssa.gov and look for the "Create an account" or "Sign up" link on the login page. You will enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. Social Security will then ask you to verify your identity — this happens one of two ways.
The first method is a series of security questions about your Social Security history: where you worked, when you filed, or details from your earnings record. You answer five to ten questions, and if you answer most of them correctly, your account is created when ready.
If you cannot answer enough questions — for example, if you are new to the country or have very limited work history — Social Security will ask you to upload a document instead. This is usually a driver's license, passport, or state ID. You take a photo with your phone or computer camera and upload it through the website. A person reviews it within one to three business days, and you will receive an email when your account is ready.
Once your account is created, you set your own password. Make it at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — Social Security requires this for security.
Logging In With Your Social Security Number and Password
On the My Social Security login page, enter your Social Security number in the first field and your password in the second. Then click "Sign In." If the information is correct, you will be taken to your account dashboard within seconds.
If you see an error message, check that you typed your Social Security number without dashes (for example, 123456789, not 123-45-6789). Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure Caps Lock is not on. If you still cannot log in after checking both, use the password reset option.
Social Security may ask you to verify your identity a second time if you are logging in from a new device or location. You will receive a code by email or text message — enter it on the screen that appears. This is a security measure and takes less than a minute.
Using Login.gov, Google, or Microsoft to Log In
If you do not want to remember a separate Social Security password, you can link your My Social Security account to an existing Login.gov, Google, or Microsoft account. On the login page, look for buttons labeled "Sign in with Login.gov," "Sign in with Google," or "Sign in with Microsoft."
Click the one you use, and you will be taken to that service's login page. Log in there, and you will be returned to My Social Security. Your account is now linked, and you can use either method to log in from that point forward.
This option is especially useful if you already use one of these services and do not want to create another password. However, you still need a Social Security number to set up the account in the first place — the third-party login is only for signing in after that.
What to Do If You Forget Your Password or Username
On the My Social Security login page, you will see two links: "Forgot Password" and "Forgot Username." Click the one that matches what you need.
If you click "Forgot Password," enter your Social Security number and email address. Social Security will send a password reset link to that email. Click the link, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. The link expires after one hour, so reset your password within that window.
If you click "Forgot Username," enter your Social Security number and email address. Social Security will send your username (which is usually your Social Security number) to that email. If you do not receive an email within a few minutes, check your spam folder.
If you do not have access to the email address you used when you created your account, you will need to create a new account with a different email address. You can have only one active My Social Security account per Social Security number.
Troubleshooting Common Login Problems
If you see a message that says "Invalid username or password," check that you are entering your Social Security number without dashes and that your password is typed correctly (including capital letters). If you are sure both are correct, use the password reset option.
If you see a message that says "Your account is locked," you have entered an incorrect password too many times in a row. Wait 30 minutes and try again. If the account remains locked after 30 minutes, use the password reset link.
If the website is very slow or you cannot reach it at all, Social Security may be performing maintenance. The site is usually down for a few hours on Tuesday or Wednesday nights. Try again in a few hours or the next day.
If you are using an older web browser, the site may not work correctly. Update your browser to the latest version, or try a different browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try logging in again.
What You Can Do Once You Are Logged In
Once you are in your My Social Security account, you can view your current benefit payment amount and the date of your next payment. You can also see your earnings record — the record of wages Social Security has on file for you — and check it for errors.
If you are receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income), you can view your current payment status and any messages from Social Security about your case. You can also change your direct deposit information, update your address, and request a replacement Social Security card.
You cannot file a new claim, report a change in your circumstances, or appeal a decision through My Social Security. For those tasks, you will need to contact Social Security by phone, mail, or in person at a local office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Social Security the same as my benefits account?
My Social Security is the official Social Security Administration online account. It shows your benefits, earnings record, and payment information. If you receive SSDI or SSI, you may also have a separate account with your state or local benefits office, but My Social Security is the federal portal.
Can I log in on my phone?
Yes. You can use any web browser on your phone to go to ssa.gov and log in the same way you would on a computer. Social Security also has an official mobile app called "Social Security" that you can read from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
What if I do not have an email address?
You need an email address to create a My Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo. Once you have an email address, you can set up your Social Security account.
How do I know if my login is find?
Look at the web address bar at the top of your browser. It should say "ssa.gov" and have a padlock icon next to it. Never log in through a link in an email or text message — always go directly to ssa.gov by typing it into your browser yourself.
Can someone else log into my account?
No, unless you give them your Social Security number and password. Do not share your login information with anyone, including Social Security employees or family members. Social Security will never ask you for your password by phone, email, or text.