How to Set Up an Online Social Security Account

1. Go to the My Social Security sign-up page and click on Create an Account (the long blue button on the left of the screen). On the next screen, click on "Create an account with Login.gov." Login.gov is a secure, single sign-in service members of the public can use to access accounts with participating government agencies, including Social Security.

2. Create your log-in. On the Login.gov sign-in page, click on "Create an account," then enter an email address and language preference. You'll receive an email at that address. Click the link to confirm your email and create a password.

Your password must be at least 12 characters long. As a general rule, longer passwords are better. Another way to strengthen them is to use a favorite phrase from a book or movie and swap in numbers and symbols for some of the letters. And don’t use one you’ve used for other websites.

3. Secure your account. Select the way you want the SSA to verify you're you when you sign in to your account. There are several methods available, the most common being to receive a one-time security code by text or phone call each time you log in. If you choose this option, you’ll go through that code process as part of this initial sign-in.

4. Enter identifying information. You’ll be asked to provide information the SSA can use to verify your identity, and to read and accept the terms of service for the account.

Congratulations! You have successfully created your online My Social Security account. Going forward, you’ll be able to log into your account from any device using Login.gov.

If you previously created an account using Social Security’s SSA.gov site, you will need to switch it over to a Login.gov account. The SSA announced in July 2024 that it is phasing out the old sign-ins (those created before Sept. 18, 2021) to simplify account access and “align with federal authentication standards.” The agency has not set a deadline for making the switch but is encouraging users to do so now. When you log in using the old method, select the option to transition to Login.gov and follow the prompts from there.

If you already sign in via Login.gov or ID.me, the SSA’s other provider for account credentials, you can continue accessing your account using those platforms and your existing username and password.

ID.me is the only sign-up option available if you have a foreign mailing address. On the account sign-in page, click on the green “Sign up with ID.me” button. You’ll be sent to the ID.me site, where you can create an account and be guided through the set-up process.

Protecting your benefits from swindlers

The SSA offers secure sign-in via Login.gov and ID.me to guard against identity theft. Scammers who obtain your Social Security number and other personal information phishing, data breaches or other means may be able to go online and set up a My Social Security account in your name, if you haven’t already done so.

The threat grows once you reach age 62, the minimum claiming age for Social Security retirement benefits. Thieves could start collecting monthly payments in your name, and you might not find out about it until years later when you apply for Social Security. Only one account is permitted per Social Security number, so establishing your account early is key.

If you suspect you have been the victim of identity theft, you can report this to the SSA Office of the Inspector General or visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft.gov information site.

Kenneth Terrell covers employment, age discrimination, work and jobs, careers, and Congress for AARP. He previously worked for the Education Writers Association and U.S. News & World Report, where he reported on government and politics, business, education, science and technology, and lifestyle news.

Patrick J. Kiger is a contributing writer for AARP. He has written for a wide variety of publications, including the Los Angeles Times Magazine, GQ, Mother Jones and websites of the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.