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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Start at the Social Security Administration’s my Social Security page, then select Create an Account. Use an existing Login.gov or ID.me account if you have one, or create one through SSA’s instructions. Social Security username-and-password sign-in ended June 7, 2025; Login.gov and ID.me are now the sign-in options for online Social Security services. A phone number is not required to create either provider account, and SSA lists several ways to use multifactor authentication without a mobile phone.
What a my Social Security account lets you do
A personal my Social Security account is the online route to a range of Social Security services. Depending on your circumstances, you can use it to check your earnings history and benefit estimates, manage benefits, request a replacement Social Security card, and access proof-of-benefit or tax documents. SSA describes these functions on its my Social Security overview.
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Because the account can expose personal and benefit information, the safe setup is not just a matter of choosing a username. You need to reach SSA through its real website, verify your identity through one of its approved sign-in providers, and choose an authentication method you can continue to access.
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Before you begin: eligibility and what to have ready
SSA’s current account-creation instructions say you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid email address. You also need to complete identity verification with the sign-in provider you choose. SSA’s provider comparison lists a government-issued photo ID for both options; it lists a phone number for Login.gov and a camera-equipped device for ID.me. SSA separately clarifies that a phone number is not required to create a Login.gov or ID.me account, so do not treat the comparison’s phone-number entry as a universal requirement for account creation.
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SSA estimates that provider identity verification is a one-time process that can take 5–20 minutes, according to its current account-creation page, accessed October 11, 2026. That is an agency estimate, not a guaranteed completion time. Follow the live prompts: requirements and verification steps can vary by provider and situation.
- Use an email address that is yours alone. SSA says each customer needs a unique account and unique email address; do not share an account or email with a spouse or another person.
- Have your government-issued photo ID available for the provider’s verification process.
- If you plan to use ID.me, have access to a device with a camera, as listed in SSA’s provider comparison.
- Think ahead about how you will complete multifactor authentication (MFA), especially if you do not have a mobile phone or may change numbers.
These requirements and SSA’s estimated verification time are described on Creating an Account. SSA’s guidance on unique email addresses and authentication alternatives appears in its Account FAQs & Help and phone and MFA FAQ.
Choose Login.gov or ID.me
SSA accepts either provider for access to my Social Security. If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, SSA says you can use it; you do not need to make accounts with both services. If you do not have either, SSA describes Login.gov as its suggested option for most users in the United States who are unsure which to choose. SSA directs people with a foreign mailing address to ID.me. These are SSA’s directions for its service, not an independent assessment of the providers.
| Situation or consideration | Login.gov | ID.me |
|---|---|---|
| Already have an account? | SSA says an existing account can be used. | SSA says an existing account can be used. |
| SSA’s stated guidance by location | SSA describes it as best for most users in the United States and suggests it if you are unsure. | SSA recommends it for users inside or outside the United States and says people with a foreign mailing address should use it. |
| Materials in SSA’s provider comparison | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and phone number. | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and a camera-equipped device. |
| Phone-free account creation | SSA says a phone number is not required to create either provider account. Alternate MFA methods are available. | |
In practice, the first question is whether you already use one of the providers: if so, try that account rather than creating a duplicate. If you are choosing from scratch, consider your mailing address and whether you can complete the identity-check steps shown for each provider. SSA says its comparison is a guide, not a guarantee that every applicant will see identical prompts. Check SSA’s current account-creation instructions if your mailing address, identity documents, or circumstances make the choice unclear.
Login.gov is described by SSA as a government sign-in service used across federal agencies. ID.me is described as a sign-in service used by government agencies and private companies. That distinction may help you recognize services you already use, but SSA’s account page is the authority for which options it currently accepts for my Social Security.
Create or connect your account through SSA
- Open SSA’s official account page. Type ssa.gov/myaccount into your browser or navigate to it from SSA’s official homepage. SSA says official Social Security links begin with
https://www.ssa.gov/orhttps://secure.ssa.gov/. Do not use a sign-in link from an unexpected email or text. - Select “Create an Account.” Begin from SSA’s page rather than searching for a sign-in page or following an unsolicited link. This keeps you on the path SSA provides for linking a sign-in provider to its services.
- Choose Login.gov or ID.me. Use the provider account you already have, if applicable. Otherwise, select one option and follow the current prompts to create it. You do not need to create both provider accounts for Social Security access.
- Complete identity verification. Provide the information and documents requested in the provider’s own flow. SSA describes verification as a one-time process, but it does not guarantee the same steps or timing for every applicant. Do not send identity documents or sensitive details in reply to an unsolicited message.
- Set up MFA you can reliably use. Select an available method and finish the provider’s setup. If you do not have a mobile phone, SSA lists security keys, landlines, and backup codes among alternatives that do not require one.
- Return to Social Security access. Complete the provider-to-SSA sign-in flow and confirm that you have reached your personal account. For subsequent visits, start at SSA’s known site or use a saved bookmark you created after verifying the address.
SSA’s current instructions are at Creating an Account. The agency’s official short explanation is: “You can use either Login.gov or ID.me to verify your identity and securely access your official my Social Security account.”
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Set up MFA for the phone situation you actually have
MFA adds an authentication step beyond the provider’s primary sign-in. The practical goal is to choose a method you can still reach if your mobile phone is lost, replaced, or unavailable. SSA lists security keys, landlines, and backup codes as alternatives that do not require a mobile phone. The exact methods available and setup instructions depend on the provider, so follow its current options rather than assuming every method works in every configuration.
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Use a method offered in the provider’s setup flow and make sure the contact information is current. Before relying on a phone-based method, consider what you would do if you changed numbers or could not access the device. SSA directs users who lose or change a phone to the relevant sign-in provider for help changing account contact information or MFA.
If you do not want to provide a mobile number
SSA says a phone number is not required to create a Login.gov or ID.me account. Depending on the provider’s available options, you may be able to use a security key, landline, or backup codes instead. A security key is optional, not a Social Security requirement. SSA does not name or endorse particular key models; check the selected provider’s current requirements before purchasing a device or relying on a specific authentication method.
If you use backup codes or a physical key
Keep backup codes somewhere you can retrieve them if your usual device is unavailable, but not somewhere that makes them easy for someone else to access. Keep any physical key under your control. These are general precautions for protecting authentication methods; SSA’s published MFA guidance identifies the alternatives but does not endorse a specific storage system or product.
If you are considering buying a security key, treat it as an optional MFA tool rather than something required to open a Social Security account. Check Login.gov’s or ID.me’s current documentation for supported methods before buying; SSA’s guidance does not identify compatible models. You can also choose another available method if it better fits your situation.
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SSA’s phone-free guidance is in its Phone and MFA FAQ, dated July 30, 2025, and its Account FAQs & Help.
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If you lose or change your phone
A changed or missing phone is an authentication-provider issue first: SSA directs people to Login.gov or ID.me for help changing their provider account contact information or MFA. Which provider to contact depends on the one connected to your Social Security account. Do not create a second identity-provider account just to bypass the old phone; use the recovery and account-update route for the provider you already use.
- Identify the provider. Recall whether you sign in with Login.gov or ID.me. If you are uncertain, begin at SSA’s official Account FAQs & Help page.
- Use that provider’s account-recovery or contact-update help. Follow its current instructions for a lost device, changed number, or unavailable MFA method. SSA points users to the provider for these issues; the exact recovery flow is controlled by that provider.
- Try another enrolled method if available. SSA identifies security keys, landlines, and backup codes as phone-free MFA alternatives. Use only methods already available to you through the provider’s current sign-in process.
- Contact SSA for SSA account-access problems. If the provider sign-in works but your electronic Social Security account is blocked, deactivated, or otherwise needs SSA-level help, SSA says it can assist with blocking or unblocking electronic access and deactivation. Contact SSA or a local Social Security office for that type of issue.
SSA’s account creation and help FAQ, dated February 25, 2026, explains the current provider-only setup and help channels. The important distinction is whether the problem is with the provider’s credentials or MFA, or with electronic access to the SSA account itself.
Protect yourself from fake sign-in requests
Scammers can imitate government notices or create lookalike sign-in pages. Make reaching the service part of your security routine: type the SSA address yourself or start from its official homepage, and check that the address begins with https://www.ssa.gov/ or https://secure.ssa.gov/ before entering account information.
- Do not respond to email requests for personal information. SSA says reputable businesses and public agencies will not ask you to provide personal information in an email.
- Treat unexpected links and attachments cautiously. SSA says most of its emails come from
.govaddresses and advises caution with non-.govsenders, particularly before opening attachments or clicking links. A familiar-looking sender name alone is not proof that a message is genuine. - Do not share your account or email. SSA says each customer needs a unique account and unique email address, including spouses. Shared access can also make it harder to tell whose information or authentication method is being used.
- Keep sensitive information out of unsolicited replies. If a message claims there is a problem with your benefits or account, do not reply with personal details. Navigate to SSA independently and use its official help channels.
SSA’s warnings about official links, email, and shared accounts are collected in its Account FAQs & Help.
Where to get help when setup fails
Use the support channel that matches the failure. Login.gov and ID.me handle their own credential, phone, authentication, and identity-verification problems. SSA handles account-level electronic access matters such as blocking, unblocking, or deactivation, and directs people to SSA or a local office for those issues.
- Cannot sign in to the provider: use the help route for Login.gov or ID.me, whichever you selected. Do not assume SSA can reset provider credentials.
- Verification does not complete: follow the provider’s current identity-verification guidance. SSA’s page describes the process and required materials, but it does not establish one universal resolution for every verification failure.
- Phone or MFA no longer works: contact the provider connected to the account and use its account-recovery or contact-update steps.
- Provider access works but Social Security access is blocked or deactivated: contact SSA or a local office for SSA account-level assistance.
- Unsure which provider or help route applies: start with SSA’s account creation and help FAQ or Account FAQs & Help.
For a real account problem, use the official pages above rather than a phone number, link, or reply address supplied in an unsolicited message. Keep the distinction clear: provider support deals with your Login.gov or ID.me sign-in and identity checks; SSA support deals with access to the Social Security account after the provider sign-in.
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After setup: verify access and keep it usable
Once the account is open, make sure you can complete the sign-in flow again with the MFA method you selected. If you change your phone, lose an authentication device, or stop using an email address, handle the change through the provider’s official account-management process rather than waiting until you are locked out. Keep the account and email private, and reach SSA by typing its address or using a bookmark you made from the official site.
Use the account for the records or services you need—such as reviewing earnings history or accessing benefit documents—and return through SSA’s official my Social Security page when in doubt. SSA’s overview of available online functions is at ssa.gov/myaccount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a personal my Social Security account?
Go to SSA’s official my Social Security page and select Create an Account. Choose Login.gov or ID.me, use an account you already have if applicable, and follow the provider’s prompts for identity verification and MFA. SSA says you must be at least 18 and have a valid email address.
Can I still sign in with my old Social Security username and password?
No. SSA says Social Security username-and-password sign-in ended June 7, 2025. Login.gov and ID.me are the current sign-in options for Social Security online services. You can use either provider account if you already have one; you do not need both.
Do I need a cell phone number to create a my Social Security account?
SSA says a phone number is not required to create a Login.gov or ID.me account. The provider’s available MFA methods vary, but SSA lists security keys, landlines, and backup codes as alternatives that do not require a mobile phone. Follow the selected provider’s current setup prompts.
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SSA suggests Login.gov for most users in the United States who are unsure. SSA says people with a foreign mailing address should use ID.me and describes it as an option for users inside or outside the United States. If you already have an account with either provider, SSA says you can use it. Follow SSA’s current instructions if your situation is unclear.
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- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
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What should I do if I lose or change the phone used for MFA?
Contact the provider connected to your Social Security account—Login.gov or ID.me—for its current account-recovery or contact-update steps. Try another MFA method only if it is already available to you. If provider sign-in works but SSA electronic account access is blocked or deactivated, contact SSA or a local Social Security office.
Can my spouse and I use the same email address or account?
SSA says each customer needs a unique account and unique email address. Do not share an account or email address, including with a spouse.
How long does identity verification take?
SSA estimates the one-time provider identity-verification process can take 5–20 minutes. This is an estimate, not a guarantee; the live steps and timing can vary by provider and applicant.
How can I tell whether a Social Security sign-in link is genuine?
Type the SSA address yourself or navigate from its official homepage, then check that the address starts with https://www.ssa.gov/ or https://secure.ssa.gov/. Avoid unexpected sign-in links, and do not reply to email requests for personal information.
The Bottom Line
Set up access by starting at SSA’s official my Social Security page, then use Login.gov or ID.me and complete the provider’s identity check. Choose MFA you can keep using: SSA says a mobile number is not required and lists security keys, landlines, and backup codes as alternatives.
If you lose or change your phone, contact the sign-in provider for MFA or account updates. For blocked or deactivated Social Security electronic access, contact SSA or a local office. Always reach the service through an address you have verified, not an unexpected message link.
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