If you need help with my Social Security account login, you’ve come to the right place. My Social Security online account has become popular, with over 17 million users and growing. In this post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process on how to log in to your account.
However, If you do not currently have a my Social Security account, keep reading below. We have instructions on how to create one.
In addition, if you are having problems logging in or have been locked out of your account, we will provide information on how to unlock your account.
Before we walk you through the login process, we will explain in detail the benefits of my Social Security account.
There are many functions that you can use your account for that many users are not aware of.
For help on how to login to your mySocialSecurity online account, continue reading below.
We will also cover:
- What you can do with a My Social Security Account
- MySocialSecurity Account Functions
- How to Login my Social Security Account
- What do I do if I am locked out of my Social Security account?
- How to Create my Social Security Account
- Why you cannot create a my Social Security Account
About the My Social Security Account
A My Social Security account allows you to view your contributions to the Social Security program.
Furthermore, through the account, you can get a personalized estimate of your future Social Security payments in retirement.
Also, having a My Social Security account allows you to make sure your earnings are recorded correctly.
However, there is so much more to a My Social Security account, especially for those currently collecting Social Security.
We will provide a complete list of benefits below.
Creating your online Social Security account is quick and easy. In fact, the entire application process should only take 10 minutes or less to complete.
Once you’ve completed registration, you will have immediate access to the online portal.
If you currently do not have a My Social Security account, you first need to sign up and create an account.
For help on how to create my Social Security account, scroll down for our instruction guide below.
What you can do with a My Social Security Account
Whether you are currently receiving Social Security benefits or are applying for them, having my Social Security account is very helpful.
There are several benefits that come with a My Social Security account.
Here’s what you can do with my Social Security account:
- Start direct deposit or make changes to an existing direct deposit for Social Security and Disability benefit payment.
- Check your information, such as access your earnings record and future benefits
- Change your address or phone number with Social Security.
- Request a benefit verification letter, which you can use as proof of income when applying for a loan or mortgage, or for government assistance such as food stamps (SNAP) benefits or housing vouchers.
- Request a replacement Medicare or Social Security card.
- Get replacement tax documents, such as an SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S
This is the form Social Security mails to you each January for tax purposes that summarize your benefits for the previous year. - Check the status of a pending claim or appeal of disability benefits.
- Report any work wages if you receive Social Security disability benefits
What Future Social Security Recipients can do with a My Social Security Account
If you currently do not have Social Security benefits, you may be wondering why you should sign up for my Social Security account.
However, what many future Social Security recipients don’t know is that there are many benefits to having my Social Security account.
Here are the benefits of my Social Security account Account for a Future Recipient:
Access your Earnings Record and Future Benefits
The first benefit of having a my Social Security account is that it gives you the ability to track your earnings record.
To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you must earn a minimum of 40 credits (max of four per year) over your working life.
Having a my Social Security account allows you to track your earnings record to make sure it is being reported accurately.
If there are any errors in the reporting, having online access allows you to review your record and address any errors with the Social Security Administration.
If you have earned the 40 credits required to collect Social Security benefits starting at age 62, your account will show that.
We have provided below an example of what your account will show when you earn the 40 credits.
Get an Estimate of Social Security Benefit When you Retire
Additionally, having a my Social Security account allows you to keep track of how much you are likely to get in benefits should you retire.
There is also an estimator calculator that allows you to see how much you will get in benefits if you retire at a particular age.
For example, you can see how much in benefits you will get if you retire at say age 62 versus age 67.
As you can see from the example below, the calculator will show you how much you will get at your full retirement age, which depends on when you were born.
Next, you will be able to play around with the calculator to see how much you will get in benefits if you retire early or later than your full retirement age.
See how much you will get in Disability Benefits Now
Here’s another benefit of having a My Social Security account:
You will be able to see how much you will get in Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) if you apply now.
There is even a link to start your disability application online, as shown by the image below.
MySocialSecurity Account Functions
If you are future Social Security recipient, here is the full list of what you can do with a mySocialSecurity online account:
- Check your earnings record
- See how much you have paid into Social Security
- Get an estimate of your future Social Security payments
- Find out how much you will qualify for if you become disabled
- Determine what family members will receive if you pass away
- Keep your account up-to-date by changing your address or direct deposit information
- Request documentation – replacement Social Security card, replacement Medicare card, Benefit Verification Letter, etc.
What Current Social Security Recipients can do with a My Social Security Account
If you are currently receiving Social Security benefits, having a my Social Security account is even more important.
Here are some of the things you can do with your My Social Security account:
Set-up or Change your Direct Deposit
Since 1935, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has mailed paper checks to Social Security beneficiaries.
However, that ended in May 2011.
That’s because Congress passed a law that required all recipients of payments from federal benefits programs to sign up for electronic payments.
Since then, all new recipients of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability have been required to sign up for electronic payments.
In addition, existing recipients of Social Security and SSI had to comply with the new requirements by March 1, 2013.
As a result, the SSA no longer mail paper checks for Social Security benefits, including disability payments.
One way to get your Social Security benefits electronically is to sign up for Direct Deposit.
You can set up a direct deposit for your social security benefits using your my Social Security account online.
Furthermore, you can update your direct deposit information online using your Social Security account
Get a Benefit Verification Letter
Also, one of the great benefits of having a my Social Security account is that you can easily get your benefits verification letter online.
If you are applying for a loan, a mortgage or another government assistance program, you will be asked to provide proof of your income.
You can request a Benefit Verification Letter by logging into your My Social Security Account. It’s that easy.
Check the status of your Social Security Application
Finally, another benefit of having an online account is being able to check the status of a submited application.
This includes application for Social Security or Disability benefits (SSI or SSDI).
You can check the status of your application by logging in your my Social Security account.
In addition, if you have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can also check the status of those in your my Social Security online account.
When you log into your my Social Security account to check the status of your application, your application status will show the following information:
- Re-entry number for a pending benefits application or appeal
- Date the Social Security Administration received your application or appeal
- Date and time for your scheduled hearing
- Address of office processing the claim or appeal
Other mySocialSecurity Account Functions
As a Social Security beneficiary, other functions you can perform using your mySocialSecurity account include:
- Request a replacement Medicare or Social Security card
- Request a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S (benefit summary forms mailed to you each January for your taxes)
- Check the status of a pending claim or appeal for Disability benefits
For help on how to login your my Social Security account, continue reading and follow the instructions below.
How to Login My Social Security Account
Follow the instructions below for help logging in my Social Security online account.
Step 1. Visit the SSA Website
First, visit the Social Security website. To do so, go to www.ssa.gov.
Step 2. Click the Sign In/Up Link
Next, click the “Sign In/Up” link located at the top-right side of the page, as shown in the image below with the arrow.
Step 3. Access the mySocialSecurity Portal
Once you click the “Sign In” link, you will be taken to a new page as shown below.
Once there, click on the “my Social Security” box on the far left-hand side of the page, as shown by the arrow below.
Step 4. Enter your Username and Password
Next, you will then be taken to the page below.
There, you will see a box for “Username” and “Password” as shown by the arrows below.
Enter your my Social Security account Username and Password.
When complete, click the “Sign In” button to proceed.
Step 5. Enter Security Code
After you have successfully entered the correct username and password, you will be taken to a screen where you will have to confirm how you want to receive your security code.
The options will be either an email or phone number the Social Security Administration has on file for you.
Once you pick an option to receive your code, the code will be sent to you (email or text message).
Check your email or text, retrieve the code, and enter it in the space provided, as shown below.
Step 6. Accept Terms of Service
Next, once you have successfully entered the code that was sent to you, you will be taken to a page like the one below.
There, you will have to accept the Social Security online Terms of Service to proceed.
Read through the terms of service, then check the box that says “I Agree to the Terms of Service.”, then click “Next”.
Step 7. Go to your my Social Security Account Homepage
Next, you will be taken to your my Social Security account page.
You can now access your my Social Security account homepage and perform any of the lists of tasks we mentioned earlier in this post.
What do I do if I am locked out of my Social Security account?
If you are locked out of your my Social Security account, you have two options to get access to your account:
Option 1 – Retrieve your Username or Password
If you do not remember your username or password, click the appropriate link on the login page, as shown below, then provide the requested information.
If you have forgotten your username, you will be required to provide the following information to retrieve the username:
- Email Address (the one Social Security has on file for you)
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
Provide the requested information and click the “Next” button to proceed.
If you have forgotten your password, you will be required to provide the following information to retrieve your password:
- Username (the username you picked when you signed up for an account)
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
Provide the requested information and click the “Next” button to proceed.
Option 2 – Contact Social Security
If you are unable to log in to your my Social Security account, you can get also get help by calling the Social Security help desk.
Follow the instructions below.
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
They are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm.
At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”.
You can also contact your local Social Security office.
How to Create a My Social Security Account
For a quick guide on how to create your mySocialSecurity account, follow the instructions provided below.
Step 1 – Visit Social Security Website
Visit the Social Security Administration website at https://www.ssa.gov/.
Next, click my SocialSecurity button located on the bottom left-side of the page.
You will be taken to a new page. There, click the blue “Create an Account” button on the new page.
Next, click on the “Create New Account” on the page
Step 2 – Agree to Terms of Service
You will be taken to the Terms of Service page. After you have reviewed it, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the box that says “I Agree to the Terms of Service.”
Once completed, click the “Next” button.
Step 3 – Provide Personal Information
Next, enter your personal information as requested.
You will be asked to provide personal information including first and last name, SSN, date of birth, home address, phone number, and email address.
It is important that you enter your information as it appears on your Social Security card.
Furthermore, you need a Social Security number to sign up for my Social Security account online.
Finally, you must also have a valid email address and a U.S. mailing address.
Step 4 – Verify Your Identity
Next, you will be required to verify that you are who you say you are.
You will be provided with information from your credit report, which only you should know.
Click on the appropriate multiple-choice response for each question; then click the button on the bottom of the screen to go to the next page.
Step 5 – Select how to Recieve Security Code
Next, you will have to choose how you want Social Security to reach you each time you try to login into your account.
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.
You will be sent a code once you pick an option.
Enter the security code sent to your phone or email.
Please note that this code will expire after 10 minutes.
Step 6 – Create a Username and Password
Create a username and password. This will serve as your my Social Security login information.
Make sure that your password is strong, to deter scammers from easily accessing your account.
With passwords, longer is better.
Furthermore, you can strengthen it by thinking of one of your favorite phrases from a book or movie, then swapping in numbers and symbols for letters.
Step 7 – Select Secondary Identifier
Next, you will need to list a second identifier for your My Social Security account.
This is either a cellphone number or an email address.
Whenever you log on to your account, the SSA will text or email you a one-time code to complete verification.
That code helps the SSA to confirm that you are the actual account holder.
Step 8 – Select Security Questions
Next, select your three security questions from the drop-down menu. These will be used to recover or reset any lost account information.
Step 9 – Account Setup Complete
Congratulations! If your information has been approved, you have now successfully set up your my Social Security account
Why can’t I set up a My Social Security Account?
If you are unable to set up my Social Security account, here’s a possible reason.
You cannot set up a My Social Security account if you have a security freeze or fraud alert on your credit report.
That’s because as part of the account setup process, you have to answer questions that are pulled from your credit report.
Therefore, if your credit report is frozen or has a fraud alert, that will block you from setting up an account.
You’ll need to temporarily lift the freeze or alert (you can reinstate it later).
Alternatively, you can open an account in person at a Social Security office.
My Social Security Account Login Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
There are several benefits for both future retirees and current retirees for creating my Social Security account.
Creating an account is easy and takes about 10 minutes.
If you already have an account, you can log in with the instructions above.
If you are locked out of your account, you can retrieve your username or password by following the steps outlined above.
Alternatively, you can contact the Social Security Administration using the number provided above or visit your local SSA office.
Questions?
We hope you found value in this post on My Social Security Account Login.
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:
