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Start at the official my Social Security page, choose Login.gov or ID.me, create or reuse that provider account, complete identity verification, and return to Social Security to use your personal account. You must be at least 18 and have a valid email address. The registration and one-time identity check generally take SSA’s estimated 5–20 minutes, although an unusual document or verification problem can take longer.
Since June 7, 2025, Login.gov and ID.me are the only sign-in options for Social Security online services. The former Social Security username-and-password sign-in no longer works. If you already use either provider, you can reuse that credential; you do not need both.
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What you need before opening the account
Gather the information and equipment that match the provider you plan to use. SSA’s current eligibility rules require that a personal account holder be 18 or older and have a working email address. Use an email address that belongs only to you: SSA says every customer needs a separate account and unique email address, including spouses and relatives who share a household.
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- A government-issued photo ID. The identity-proofing process may ask you to submit or photograph the document.
- A suitable device and connection. A computer or phone with a current browser is normally sufficient. ID.me’s comparison specifically calls for a camera-capable device; a phone or computer camera can satisfy that need.
- A way to complete multifactor authentication. The comparison lists a phone number for Login.gov, but SSA’s FAQ says a phone number is not mandatory for either provider. Depending on the provider and your situation, alternatives can include a security key, landline verification, or backup codes.
Do not buy equipment solely because a checklist mentions a camera or phone. Many people already have an adequate phone, computer, or camera, and the authentication alternatives can avoid text messaging when a phone number is unavailable.
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Login.gov or ID.me: which should you choose?
Both services provide the sign-in and identity-verification layer for SSA. Neither is presented by SSA as universally safer or easier. Choose based on where you live and which verification method fits your documents and device.
| Consideration | Login.gov | ID.me |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic fit | SSA describes it as the best choice for most users in the United States. | Available to users inside or outside the United States. SSA’s current FAQ directs people with a foreign mailing address to ID.me. |
| Items listed in SSA’s comparison | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and phone number. | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and a camera-capable device. |
| Phone requirement | SSA’s FAQ says a phone number is not required; a security key, landline, or backup codes may provide alternatives, depending on the authentication setup. | SSA’s FAQ likewise says a phone number is not required; alternative authentication methods may be available. |
| Existing credentials | An existing Login.gov account can be reused for SSA. | An existing ID.me account can be reused for SSA. |
Start from SSA.gov rather than an email or text message that directs you to a sign-in page. The provider choice appears inside the SSA account flow. If you have a foreign mailing address, select ID.me under the current SSA guidance even if you have used another provider for a different service.
How to create the account
- Open the official SSA account page. Type the address yourself or use a bookmark for the my Social Security page. Avoid links in unsolicited messages.
- Select the option to sign in or create an account. The current page presents Login.gov and ID.me. The old SSA username option is not available after June 7, 2025.
- Choose one provider. Pick Login.gov or ID.me based on the geographic and equipment considerations above. You only need one provider account for SSA.
- Create a provider account or sign in to an existing one. Enter an email address that is not being used by another family member’s SSA account. If you already have the selected credential, use it rather than opening a duplicate.
- Confirm the email address. Follow the verification message from the provider. If it does not arrive, check the address you entered, your spam folder, and the provider’s account-recovery options. Do not forward a verification code to anyone.
- Complete identity verification. Have your government-issued photo ID available. ID.me’s flow can require a camera-capable device. Follow the provider’s prompts to photograph the document or provide the requested details. A mismatch in your name, date of birth, address, or document image can cause the proofing step to fail.
- Set up authentication and recovery. Choose the available method that you can maintain, such as an authenticator, security key, phone, landline, or backup codes. Store backup codes somewhere private and accessible if your primary device is lost.
- Return to SSA and authorize the connection. After the provider confirms your identity, continue back to the SSA site when prompted. The provider verifies who you are; SSA then associates that verified sign-in with your Social Security record.
- Review the account landing page. Confirm that your name and contact details are correct, note which services are displayed, and sign out when finished on a shared or public device.
The identity check is normally a one-time registration step. You may still be asked for an authentication code or another security check on later visits, especially after changing a device or recovery method.
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The menu is personalized. A person who has never claimed benefits sees different tools from a current beneficiary or a representative payee, and some transactions depend on location, eligibility, or the type of record SSA has on file.
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If you are not receiving Social Security benefits
- View your Social Security Statement and the earnings history used to calculate future benefits.
- See personalized estimates for retirement benefits and, where applicable, spouse benefits.
- Check the status of a benefit application.
- Request certain proof letters and other documents offered for your situation.
Review your earnings record promptly. If an employer or year appears incorrect, use the correction instructions shown by SSA rather than assuming the estimate is complete.
If you receive benefits
- Set up or change direct deposit for beneficiaries with U.S. banking arrangements.
- Retrieve current and historical tax forms made available in the account.
- Print a benefit-verification letter when you need evidence of income or benefit status.
- Change your mailing address or telephone number.
Direct-deposit changes are not a general international feature; the account description applies to U.S. beneficiaries. If an option is missing, the transaction may not be available for your record or location, or SSA may require another channel.
If you are a representative payee
Representative payees have separate online reporting and payment-management tasks. The account can present payee services rather than the same controls shown to the beneficiary. Use the payee-specific instructions and keep records of how funds are handled; do not assume that a beneficiary’s menu applies to a payee account.
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Depending on your record and location, the account may support some replacement-card requests, name-change requests, document uploads, and online forms. Availability is task-specific. An online account does not guarantee that every form or card request can be completed digitally, so read the eligibility message for the particular service before submitting it.
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Using the retirement calculator and estimates
SSA announced a redesigned retirement calculator on May 12, 2026. The updated presentation uses a bar graph and lets you compare up to three estimates while retaining the existing retirement-planning tools. Treat every figure as a personalized estimate based on the earnings and assumptions shown in your record, not as a guaranteed payment amount. Compare scenarios only after checking that your earnings history and planned claiming ages are accurate.
A practical routine for managing benefits online
Use the account as a record-management tool, not only when you need a letter. This routine reduces surprises:
- Check contact information after a move or phone change. Update the address and telephone number as soon as the change is effective.
- Review the earnings record before major retirement decisions. Save a copy of the statement or estimate showing the assumptions you used.
- Download tax forms when they become available. Keep current and historical copies in a secure location rather than relying on an old browser download.
- Confirm direct-deposit details after any change. Look for the confirmation in your account and monitor the next payment cycle.
- Use proof letters from the account when an organization accepts them. If a third party requires a different form, follow that organization’s instructions instead of uploading an unrelated document.
- Sign out on shared devices. Closing the browser alone may not end an active provider session.
Protecting the account from scams and unauthorized access
Use SSA.gov as your starting point and independently verify the address before entering personal information. SSA advises caution with messages that do not come from a “.gov” address, requests for personal information by email, and links whose origin is uncertain. A message can imitate an agency logo or wording; the sender address and destination still need to be checked.
- Do not reply to an email asking for your Social Security number, password, authentication code, or identity document.
- Do not share your Login.gov or ID.me credentials with a spouse, relative, helper, or tax preparer. Each person needs a separate account and email address.
- Never give a one-time code to someone who telephones or messages you unexpectedly.
- Use a private browser window or sign out completely when using a library, workplace, or other shared computer.
- Keep recovery methods current. Remove an old phone or authenticator when you replace it, and store backup codes offline.
When to use an electronic-access block
SSA can block electronic access if you believe someone has compromised the account or is trying to misuse your information. Blocking is a protective measure, not routine setup advice: it prevents anyone, including you, from viewing or changing personal information online until SSA restores access. Consider the loss of online access before requesting the block, and use it when the security risk outweighs the inconvenience.
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Who handles a problem when setup or sign-in fails?
Knowing which organization owns the problem avoids repeated attempts and protects your information.
| Problem | Primary organization | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Forgotten provider password, locked provider account, changed provider email or phone, lost authentication method, or failed identity proofing | Login.gov or ID.me | Use that provider’s recovery and help process. SSA cannot reset a provider password or redo its identity-proofing workflow. |
| SSA electronic-access block or unblock, account deactivation, or phone identity verification for most users | Social Security Administration | Contact SSA and follow its identity-verification instructions. |
| Creation fails after you have followed the provider steps | SSA and, when necessary, a local SSA office | Call first; an office may be able to help by appointment. |
| A service or form is absent from the dashboard | SSA | Check whether the task is limited by your benefit status, role, location, or record. Missing menu items are not necessarily a sign-in failure. |
SSA telephone help
SSA’s dated help guidance lists 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Use the number published by SSA rather than a phone number supplied in an unsolicited message. If online creation still fails, ask whether a local office appointment is appropriate.
Cost, equipment, and privacy expectations
Creating a my Social Security account is a free government service. The ordinary computer or phone used to access a website, a government photo ID, and the authentication options described by SSA are not purchases required from a particular vendor. A camera-capable device can be needed for an ID.me verification flow, but buying a new device is not automatically necessary. If you choose a security key or another authentication method, select one that you can keep available and protect; SSA does not require a specific brand.
Opening the account does not replace your responsibility to protect the underlying documents and credentials. Store downloaded statements, tax forms, and backup codes where other people cannot casually access them, and delete copies from shared devices.
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Why setting up the account is worthwhile
Online access puts statements, estimates, application status, payment details, tax forms, and proof letters in one place, reducing the need to wait for routine documents. On February 9, 2026, SSA said that more than 100 million Americans had signed up for personal my Social Security accounts.
“More than 100 million Americans have chosen to set up my Social Security accounts because they want immediate access to service, 24 hours a day, and tools to manage their benefits with ease,” said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano.
The practical benefit is control over timing: you can check the record, download an available document, or update eligible information when the service is open online. The provider and SSA divide support responsibilities, so keeping both the provider’s recovery information and your SSA contact details current is part of managing the account.
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