Many Social Security tasks that once required a phone call or an office visit can now be done online with a free my Social Security account. Whether you are still working and planning for retirement or already receiving benefits, an account gives you quick access to your records.
What you can do before you receive benefits
- See your Social Security statement, including estimates of your retirement benefit at different ages and estimates of disability and survivor benefits.
- Review your earnings history year by year to make sure every job was counted.
- Use the retirement calculator to see how stopping work earlier or later could change your benefit.
- Apply for retirement benefits when you are ready.
What you can do once you receive benefits
- Get a benefit verification letter, which you may need for loans, housing, or applications for programs like SNAP or property tax relief.
- Download your SSA-1099 tax form, which shows the benefits you received for the year.
- Change your address and, in many cases, your direct deposit details.
- Read notices in the Message Center, including your yearly cost-of-living notice.
- Request a replacement Medicare card if you have Medicare.
How to sign in
Social Security uses outside sign-in services to confirm your identity. You sign in with a Login.gov or ID.me account. If you created a my Social Security account years ago with only a username and password, you will be asked to move it to Login.gov.
To set up an account, you will usually need:
- An email address and a mobile phone or another way to receive security codes.
- Your Social Security number.
- A photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID, for identity checks.
Why it helps to open an account even if you do not need it yet
Scammers sometimes try to open accounts in other people's names to redirect benefits. Once you have created your own account, it is harder for someone else to create one with your information. You can also turn on alerts and review your account for changes you did not make.
Staying safe online
- Type ssa.gov into your browser yourself, or use a bookmark. Do not follow links in unexpected texts or emails.
- Social Security never asks for payment to create an account and never asks for gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
- Use a strong password you do not use anywhere else, and keep your sign-in codes private. Social Security staff will not ask you for a security code.
- If you think someone has misused your information, report it to the Social Security Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
Our guide to Social Security impostor scams explains the warning signs in more detail.
Getting help with the setup
If you are not comfortable with computers, ask a family member you trust to sit with you while you set up the account, so that you choose the password and keep the sign-in codes yourself. Many public libraries and senior centers also offer free help with getting online. Our guide to online safety basics has tips for keeping your accounts secure.
