To create or access a personal my Social Security account, start at the Social Security Administration’s official account page, then sign in through Login.gov or ID.me. Since June 7, 2025, the former Social Security username-and-password sign-in is no longer available. You can reduce avoidable account risks by choosing the right provider, securing its sign-in methods, ignoring unsolicited sign-in links, and checking your Social Security information periodically.
What you need before you start
SSA says you must be at least 18 and have a valid email address to create a personal my Social Security account. You will also need to establish or use a Login.gov or ID.me account, and complete identity verification if the sign-in process asks you to.
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If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, you can use it for Social Security. You do not need to create a second account with that provider just for SSA, and you do not need accounts with both providers. SSA’s Account FAQs & Help puts it simply: “You only need an account with one of these providers.”
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Keep the SSA account and the sign-in provider in mind as two connected but distinct things. SSA provides your Social Security services; Login.gov or ID.me handles the credential and sign-in process. This distinction matters if you get locked out: a password or authentication problem generally belongs with the sign-in provider, while access to Social Security services is an SSA issue.
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Before beginning, make sure you can access the email address you plan to use and have time to follow the provider’s identity-verification steps. SSA’s provider comparison lists a government-issued photo ID for both services. ID.me’s listed requirements also include a camera-equipped device; Login.gov’s comparison lists a phone number, although SSA says a phone number is not required to create an account and identifies alternatives. Requirements and verification options can vary, so follow the live instructions for the provider you choose.
Choose Login.gov or ID.me
SSA directs users to one of these providers rather than offering the old Social Security username-and-password sign-in. The choice depends mainly on whether you already have an account, where you live, and which identity documents and authentication methods you can use.
| Provider | SSA’s description and fit | Requirements listed by SSA |
|---|---|---|
| Login.gov | A government sign-in service; SSA says it is best for most users in the United States. | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and phone number. |
| ID.me | A sign-in service used across government agencies and private companies; SSA says it is best for users inside or outside the United States. | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and a camera-equipped device. |
These are the requirements in SSA’s comparison, not a guarantee that a provider’s live signup flow will never change. Follow the instructions shown by the provider you select. SSA also says a phone number is not required to create a Login.gov or ID.me account; available alternatives depend on the provider and the account’s circumstances.
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If you have a foreign mailing address
SSA’s help guidance directs customers with a foreign mailing address to create an account with ID.me. If that applies to you, use the ID.me route shown from SSA’s account page rather than assuming the usual U.S.-resident recommendation applies.
If you are unsure which to use
For most users in the United States who do not already have a provider account, SSA says to continue with Login.gov if unsure. If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, using that existing credential is a straightforward option. Having both is not necessary solely to access Social Security.
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Create or access your account
- Open SSA’s official account page. Type SSA.gov into your browser or use the official my Social Security account page. Avoid using a sign-in link in an unsolicited email or text.
- Choose “Create an Account” or the sign-in option. The page directs you to Login.gov or ID.me. If you already have a credential with one of those providers, use it rather than creating another account just for SSA.
- Complete the provider’s steps. Provide the information requested by the provider, including identity verification when required. The exact flow and available verification methods are controlled by the provider and may change.
- Return to Social Security. After signing in through the provider, continue back to your my Social Security account and confirm you can reach the account services you need.
- Set up available account protections. Review the provider’s multi-factor authentication choices and select an option you can reliably use. Save backup codes securely if the provider supplies them.
Because the legacy SSA username and password are no longer accepted for online sign-in as of June 7, 2025, trying those credentials on their own will not restore access. Use the Login.gov or ID.me path presented by SSA instead.
If you have trouble at a particular step, note whether you are on the provider’s identity-verification page or back in SSA’s service. That distinction helps direct your request to the right place. A failed identity check, forgotten provider password, or change to a provider email address is generally a Login.gov or ID.me support matter. A question about a Social Security service or electronic access control is for SSA.
Secure the sign-in, including without a mobile phone
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second check to a sign-in. Use an MFA method offered by your selected provider, and keep your account credentials private. No one should need your password or one-time verification code to help you check Social Security information.
SSA’s guidance says a phone number is not required to create a Login.gov or ID.me account. It lists a security key, landline, and backup codes as alternatives that may avoid reliance on a mobile phone. Which methods you can use depends on the provider and your account, so check the options shown during setup or in its account settings.
This matters if you do not own a mobile phone, have unreliable cell service, or expect to change phone numbers. Do not assume that every method listed will appear for every user: the provider determines what is available for a specific account. If you use a landline, make sure you can answer it when signing in. If you rely on backup codes, keep them somewhere private and usable if your usual device is unavailable.
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Pick an authentication method you can maintain
- Security key: A physical key may be an option if your provider supports that type of key. It is optional, not an SSA requirement. Check compatibility with the provider before buying one.
- Landline: SSA lists a landline as a possible alternative. Select it only if the provider offers it for your account and you can reliably receive the verification call.
- Backup codes: If the provider offers codes, store them somewhere private and accessible if your usual sign-in method is unavailable. Do not leave them in a place anyone with access to your email or device can readily find.
Do not choose a method merely because it sounds more secure if you cannot use it when needed. A dependable option, plus a safely stored recovery method where available, can help you avoid being locked out. Provider support determines which methods are available; SSA does not prescribe one specific key or product.
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Keep credentials to yourself
SSA advises: “You should not share your account or an email address with anyone, including a spouse or other family members.” Treat passwords and authentication codes the same way. If another person needs information from your account, do not hand over your sign-in; use an appropriate SSA service or contact SSA for help instead.
Protect the email account tied to your sign-in too. It may be used for provider notices or account recovery, so avoid sharing access to it and use its own available security settings. Be wary of anyone asking you to forward a one-time code, read it over the phone, or send a screenshot of a security message. An unsolicited request for a code is not a reason to disclose it.
Recognize and avoid phishing
Phishing messages try to get you to reveal information or click a link that leads to a deceptive sign-in page. SSA says most of its emails come from a .gov address and advises caution with messages from other domains, especially before opening attachments or clicking links. It also says not to reply to email requests for personal information.
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- Do not reply to an email asking for personal information, and do not open an unexpected attachment just because a message uses Social Security language or a government-style logo.
- If a message seems urgent or alarming, pause and reach SSA through its official website or a contact method you independently verify.
A .gov-looking sender address is a useful clue, not a reason to ignore the message’s context. The safer habit is to avoid sending personal information by email and to reach the service directly when you need to check an account.
Watch for messages that pressure you to act immediately, threaten a loss of benefits, or ask you to confirm personal details through a link. The advice is the same whether the message arrives by email or another channel: do not provide information in response to an unsolicited request, and do not use its link to sign in. Open SSA.gov independently and check your account or contact SSA if you need to verify a claim.
Use account reviews to spot information you do not recognize
my Social Security includes tools such as reviewing your earnings history, viewing benefit estimates and statements, and managing certain benefit tasks. Checking these areas can help you notice information or activity you do not recognize. It does not guarantee that identity theft will be prevented or that every misuse will be detected.
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When reviewing the account, compare earnings information with your own work history and look over benefit details and account activity relevant to you. If a record appears wrong or something seems unfamiliar, contact SSA through its official channels to ask what it means and what action is appropriate. Avoid assuming that an unfamiliar entry proves fraud; resolve the discrepancy with SSA.
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First identify which part of the process is failing. The provider manages the sign-in credential, identity proofing, and authentication methods; SSA manages Social Security services and certain electronic-access controls.
| Problem | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Password, email address, phone number, or authentication method for the sign-in | Contact Login.gov or ID.me support, depending on which provider you use. |
| Unable to complete identity proofing with the provider | Contact the provider’s support team for its identity-verification process. |
| Need SSA electronic access blocked or unblocked, or an account deactivated | Contact SSA; SSA says it can block or unblock electronic access and deactivate an account. |
| Need another way to verify identity for Social Security | SSA says it provides phone identity verification for most users; contact SSA to ask whether it applies to your situation. |
An SSA FAQ cited for further help lists 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Contact information and hours can change, so confirm current details on SSA.gov before calling.
If the provider account works but you cannot reach the Social Security service you need, describe that issue to SSA rather than repeatedly changing provider credentials. Conversely, if the provider will not accept your password or second-factor method, start with that provider. SSA says it can block or unblock electronic access and deactivate an account, and it offers phone identity verification for most users; ask SSA whether those options fit your situation.
If a fraud alert is blocking account creation
SSA has specific guidance for fraud alerts that affect account creation. The steps depend on the situation: the FAQ describes resolving the alert with the identity services provider, contacting a local Social Security office, or using ID.me in the circumstances it identifies. Do not remove or change a fraud alert simply because account creation is difficult. Consult SSA’s live fraud-alert FAQ and follow the option that matches your case.
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A practical account-safety checklist
- Start from SSA.gov, then use Login.gov or ID.me.
- Use one existing provider credential if you already have one; a second provider account is not required for Social Security.
- If your mailing address is outside the United States, follow SSA’s direction to use ID.me.
- Turn on an MFA method your provider supports and that you can reliably access; consider a supported non-mobile option if needed.
- Keep your password, email access, and verification codes private.
- Ignore unsolicited requests for personal information and navigate directly to SSA.gov when you need to sign in.
- Review earnings history, benefit information, and relevant account details, then ask SSA about anything you do not recognize.
- Send provider credential or authentication problems to the provider, and Social Security access or service issues to SSA.
These steps make it easier to use the correct sign-in route and respond to suspicious or unfamiliar activity. They are sensible safeguards, not a promise that monitoring or MFA can prevent every form of identity theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create or get help with a personal my Social Security account?
Start at SSA’s official account page and choose Create an Account or sign in. SSA directs users to Login.gov or ID.me. For provider passwords, contact information, authentication, or identity-proofing issues, contact that provider; for Social Security services and electronic-access issues, contact SSA.
Do I need a new Login.gov or ID.me account for Social Security?
No. SSA says you can use an existing Login.gov or ID.me account, and you only need an account with one of these providers. You do not need to create accounts with both solely to use my Social Security.
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Which provider should I choose?
SSA says Login.gov is best for most users in the United States and recommends continuing with it if you are unsure. SSA directs customers with a foreign mailing address to ID.me. Otherwise, consider whether you already have a provider account and whether you can meet the current identity-verification requirements.
Can I create an account without a mobile phone?
SSA says a phone number is not required to create a Login.gov or ID.me account. It lists a security key, landline, and backup codes as possible alternatives, depending on the provider and account. Check which options are available in your sign-in settings.
Can I still use my old Social Security username and password?
No. Since June 7, 2025, SSA online services use Login.gov and ID.me; the former Social Security username-and-password sign-in is no longer available.
What if a fraud alert prevents account creation?
SSA’s fraud-alert FAQ describes options that can include resolving the alert with the identity services provider, contacting a local Social Security office, or using ID.me in specified circumstances. Check the live SSA guidance for the option that matches your situation; do not remove a fraud alert without a reason.
What should I do if I get an email asking for personal information?
Do not reply with personal information or use an unsolicited sign-in link. Navigate to SSA.gov yourself to check your account, and independently verify any contact details before reaching out.
The Bottom Line
Open my Social Security from SSA.gov, use an existing Login.gov or ID.me credential when possible, and select an MFA option you can reliably maintain. Keep sign-in details private, avoid unsolicited links and personal-information requests, and contact the provider or SSA according to which part of the process needs help. These precautions support safer account use but cannot guarantee that identity theft will be prevented.
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