How to Set Up and Use a my Social Security Account

A "my Social Security" account is your personal, secure connection to the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov. Once you have one, you can check your benefit amount, get a letter showing what you receive each month (called a benefit verification letter), update your direct deposit bank information, and see your earnings record from every job you have ever had.

Creating the account is free and takes about 15 minutes. But it does require some care. You will need your Social Security number, a US mailing address, a phone number, and an email address you check regularly. You will also be asked a series of identity-verification questions based on your credit history — things like "which of these addresses have you lived at?" — to make sure it is really you.

In recent years, the Social Security Administration moved to a partner called Login.gov (or ID.me for some people) to handle the sign-in. If you already have a Login.gov account for other federal services, you can use that same account. If not, you will create one during setup. This is the same login system used by the IRS and the USPS. So it is worth setting up well.

Only go to ssa.gov directly. Type the address yourself — do not click a link from an email or text message, even one that looks official. The SSA will never call you and demand payment in gift cards, threaten arrest, or ask for your full Social Security number by phone. Those are scams.

If you have trouble setting up the account online, you can still go to your local Social Security office in person or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM. An in-person visit takes longer (and usually needs an appointment) but a real human will help you through every step.