You can create a my Social Security account for free at ssa.gov/myaccount.
As of August 2026, you sign in through Login.gov or ID.me — SSA retired its old username-and-password logins.
The whole setup takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you have your ID handy.
The account matters because it replaces most reasons to call or visit a Social Security office. You can check your earnings record, get benefit estimates, print proof of benefits, and manage payments — all online.
What do you need before you start?
Three things:
- A Social Security number.
- A U.S. mailing address (or a military address, or you can use ID.me from abroad in some cases).
- A government-issued photo ID — driver’s license, state ID, or passport — for identity verification.
You must be 18 or older. One account per person, tied to your own SSN.
How do you create the account?
- Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an Account."
- Choose Login.gov or ID.me. If you don’t have either, pick one and follow the sign-up steps. Login.gov is the government’s own sign-in service; ID.me is a private identity verifier that SSA also accepts.
- Verify your identity. This usually means uploading photos of your ID and taking a selfie, or answering verification questions. Some people are asked to confirm a code sent to their phone or by mail.
- Set up two-factor authentication. You’ll need a code from your phone or an authenticator app every time you sign in.
- Once verified, you land in your my Social Security dashboard.
If online verification fails, you can finish identity proofing at a local Social Security office. Bring the same photo ID.
What can you actually do with it?
Quite a lot, and the list keeps growing:
- See your earnings record — the year-by-year wage history your future benefit is based on.
- Get benefit estimates at different claiming ages.
- Print a benefit verification letter instantly (proof of income for landlords, lenders, and agencies).
- Start or change direct deposit for monthly payments.
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 for tax filing.
- Check the status of a pending application or appeal.
- Request a replacement Social Security card in most states.
If you already receive benefits, the account is also the fastest way to update your address or phone number.
Is it safe?
The Login.gov/ID.me switch was made largely for security. Two-factor authentication is mandatory, so a stolen password alone isn’t enough to get in.
One practical tip: create your account before someone else tries to. Identity thieves have been known to open accounts in other people’s names to redirect payments. If an account already exists for your SSN and it wasn’t you, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
Related guides on this site: how to change your Social Security direct deposit safely, and how to get a benefit verification letter once your account is live.
FAQ
Does creating an account start my benefits?
No. The account is just a portal. Applying for benefits is a separate step, which you can also do online.
I live overseas. Can I sign up?
ID.me supports some foreign-address verification, but availability varies. Check ssa.gov or contact your Federal Benefits Unit if you’re abroad.
I locked myself out. Now what?
Account recovery runs through Login.gov or ID.me, whichever you used — not through SSA directly. Use their "forgot password" and identity-recovery flows.
Is there a fee?
No. SSA, Login.gov, and ID.me never charge for account creation. Any site charging a fee for this is not the real one — always type ssa.gov directly.