How to Create a mySocialSecurity Account

Last Updated on 8/22/22. 

This post will walk you through how to create a mySocialSecurity account. The Social Security Administration is encouraging current and future retirees and beneficiaries to create a Social Security account online. The reasons are simple: you can now perform a long list of tasks online, without having to visit the Social Security office or call the Social Security phone number.

In this post, we are going to provide you with a step-by-step process on how to create an account on SocialSecurity.gov.

Why You Should Create a mySocialSecurity Account

Here are the 18 most popular services and tasks you can perform online using your Social Security account:

• Apply for a New Social Security Card
• Request a Replacement Social Security Card
• Change your Name on Social Security Card (After Marriage or Divorce)
• Correct a Social Security Card
• Change Your Address and Telephone Number with Social Security
• Review Your Social Security Earnings History
• Estimate Your Social Security Benefits
• Apply for Social Security Benefits
• Check the Status of Your Social Security Application
• Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
• Appeal a Social Security Decision
• Set Up or Change Direct Deposit
• Pay an Overpayment
• Apply for Medicare Benefits
• Request a Replacement Medicare Card
• Print Social Security Benefits Verification Letter
• View Your Latest Social Security Statement
• Print Your 1099

How to Create mySocialSecurity Account

Creating a mySocialSecurity account is very simple.

Here are the steps to set up an account.

Also, see below for detailed instructions, including screenshots of each step to help you set up your account in no time.

1. Visit Social Security Administration’s website. Click here to be taken there.
2. Navigate to the Create An Account page.
3. Agree to the terms of service.
4. Enter your personal information as directed. Make sure you enter your information as it appears on your Social Security card. You will need to have your Social Security number. You must also have a valid email address and a U.S. mailing address.
5. Create a username and password. This will serve as your login information.
6. Provide a secondary identifier. This can be either a cell phone number or an email address. Every time you log on, Social Security will text or email a new code for you to enter to prove your identity. This is called two-step verification.

Step by Step Instructions to Create a mySocialSecurity Account

Follow the instructions below for help creating your mySocialSecurity online account. 

1. Visit the SSA Website

The first step when creating your mySocialSecurity account is to visit the Social Security Administration website. You can access the website at https://www.ssa.gov/.

2. Go to the mySocialSecurity Account Portal

Next, scroll down the page and click the mySocialSecurity button located on the left-side of the page. For help, please refer to the screenshot below.

3. Create an Account

Once you’re redirected to the mySocialSecurity portal, click the blue “Create an Account” button.

4. Create New Account

You will then be taken to another page where you will have to click the “Create New Account” button. This button is located at the top-right of the page.

5. Agree to the Terms of Service

Now you will begin the account creation process. First, before you can begin you must agree to the Terms of Service. Please review them and once complete, scroll to the bottom of the page. Click the “I Agree” box, then the “Next” button to continue.

6. Verify your Identity

The next step is to verify your identity by completing the requested personal information. This includes the following information:

• First name
• Last name
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Date of Birth
• Home Address
• Phone Number
•  Email Address

Once complete, check the box to upgrade your account security or continue with general setup. If you chose upgraded security, three options will pop up. Please proceed by selecting one of the options to complete. Once you have successfully completed the upgraded security check, click the “Next” button.

7. Answer the Security Questions

On the next page, you will be required to answer a set of security questions that only you would know the answer to. These questions are pulled from your credit report and pertain to your credit, loan, and residency history. 

If you are not familiar with your credit report, you should pull it to refresh your memory. You can get a free credit report from CreditKarma.com or annualcreditreport.com.

Once you have completed the security questions, click the “Next” button.

8. Verify your Phone Number or Email Address

You will now need to complete another layer of verification. This time by text message or email. Please select which you prefer and click the “Next” button.

Please wait for the security code to arrive to your phone or email. Once you receive it, enter the code into the provided field. Please note that this code will expire after 10 minutes.

9. Choose your Username & Password

After entering the correct security code, you can now choose your mySocial Security account Username and Password. 

Your Username must be at least 8, but no more than 20 characters. It also cannot include your name or Social Security Number (SSN).

Your Password Begin must begin with a letter or number and be at least 8, but no more than 64 characters. It also must contain at least one uppercase and lowercase letter, a number, and symbol. Be sure to confirm your password by typing it twice.

10. Select your Account Security Questions

Once complete, scroll down the page and select your three security questions from the drop-down menu. These will be used to recover or reset any lost account information in the future.

11. Congrats – you’ve created your mySocialSecurity Account! 

Congrats! If your information has been approved, you now have set up your mySocialSecurity account. You will see a message stating that you have completed your account registration. Proceed to your account homepage by clicking the “Next” button.

Now that you have successfully created your Social Security account, here’s how to login:

How to Login My Social Security Account

For a quick guide on how to log in to your SocialSecurity account, follow the instructions provided below.

1. Visit the Social Security Administration website at https://www.ssa.gov/.
2. Click the Sign In button located at the top-right of the homepage.
3. Access the mySocialSecurity portal by clicking the box located on the far left-side of the page.
4. Enter your Username and Password, then click the “Sign In” button.

Top 5 Questions About Social Security

Here are the top 10 most frequently asked questions on Social Security from our viewers.

For more questions and answers about Social Security benefits, including the mySocialSecurity online platform, check out our Social Security FAQs.

Is Social Security going bankrupt?

The Social Security system is definitely undergoing some financial strain.

There are questions about how long the system will still be available for current and future retirees.

According to a government report, by 2016, the amount of benefits paid out will exceed the amount of taxes put into the system.

Additionally, the Social Security fund could be exhausted by 2037.

Once this happens, benefits would still be paid out but almost certainly reduced by a significant amount.

Also, while it is very unlikely that the system will be allowed to fail, it is important for future retirees to explore all other potential sources of income for retirement in addition to Social Security.

What is the Social Security Full Retirement Age?

The Social Security full retirement age is the age at which individuals become eligible for full, un-reduced Social Security benefits.

Your full retirement age is based on the year when you were born.

However, for people born in 1960 and later, the full retirement age is 67.

Also, the earliest age at which you can claim Social Security retirement benefit is at age 62.

However, claiming benefits prior to your full retirement age means you will get a reduced amount.

Also, starting benefits prior to full retirement age means you receive benefits over a longer period of time, but the amount you get will be reduced, perhaps significantly.

In addition, if you claim Social Security before your retirement age, your reduced amount will stay the same during the entire time you collect benefits.

Delaying the start of your benefits until after your full retirement age of 67, or until age 70 means a bigger check but paid out over a shorter period of time.

The chart below illustrates the impact on how much you will receive in benefits depending on when you start claiming Social Security benefits.

Full Retirement Age and Age 62 Benefit by Year of Birth

Are Social Security Benefits Adjusted For Inflation?

Yes. Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are made based on the Consumer Price Index, which is calculated by the Department of Commerce to evaluate price changes of goods and services.

Here are the Social Security Cost-Of-Living Adjustments over the last few years:

2023: Expected to be announced in October 2022.

2022: 5.9%

2021: 1.3%

2020: 1.6%

2019: 2.8%

2018: 2%

2017: 0.3%

2016: No increase.

2015: 1.7%

2014: 1.5%

2013: 1.7%

2012: 1.7%

2011: 3.6%

What Is the Average Monthly Benefit?

How much you will receive in Social Security benefits depends on which program you are on.

When you apply and meet the eligibility criteria for your program, the Social Security Administration will provide you with an estimate of your benefits.

However, you can also log in to my Social Security account online to see how much you are likely to receive in retirement or disability benefits.

Here are the average benefit amounts for 2022 by program:

2022 Social Security Estimated Average Monthly Benefit

Can you borrow money from your Social Security?

No, you cannot borrow from your current or future Social Security benefits.

There have been talks about allowing the option for loans from Social Security.

However, the system was never designed to allow current or future beneficiaries to borrow from or against their benefits.

How to Create mySocialSecurity Account Summary

Here’s the bottom line:

Here’s why you should create mySocialSecurity Account:

It saves you time calling the Social Security administration or visiting the Social Security office.

Besides, there is a long list of tasks you can perform online, including:

• Applying for a New Social Security Card
• Requesting a Replacement Social Security Card
• Changing your Name on Social Security Card (After Marriage or Divorce)
• Correcting a Social Security Card

Questions?

If you still have questions, you should leave a comment below.

However, what may be an even greater help is to join our FREE Facebook members group about Making Sense of Social Security Benefits.

It’s a very active group with some really smart people who love to answer any questions you may have about Social Security Benefits.

Also, from time to time, our team of editors drop in to contribute and answer questions.

Finally, be sure to check out our other articles about Social Security and Disability Benefits, including:

• Can I get a loan with my Direct Express card?
• How to Login to Social Security Account
• Social Security Benefits Questions and Answers
• Social Security Changes in 2022