How to Set Up and Use a My Social Security Account

With the SSA’s self-service portal, you can get benefit estimates, replacement cards and more using your computer, phone or tablet

Phil Pruitt and Kenneth Terrell

Updated August 12, 2026

AARP

Reviewed by

Jammie Lyell, M.S.

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En español

Updated August 12, 2026

AARP

Key takeaways

Creating a My Social Security account helps you track and manage your earned benefits online.
You don’t need to be receiving benefits yet — anyone 18 or older with an email address can sign up.
With an account, you can get estimates of future payments, update your personal details and guard against fraud risks.

Whether you’re already receiving Social Security or are years away from retirement, it’s important to keep an eye on your account with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to ensure you will collect what you have earned. Tracking and managing your benefits is easy with an online My Social Security account.

Taking a few minutes to create this free account will give you more control over your benefits and save you the time and trouble of having to call the SSA or go to a local Social Security office to conduct routine business.

All you need for on-demand access to Social Security information and services is a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you don’t have one, ask a trusted friend or relative with secure internet access to help you get started. Your public library or a local senior center also may have computers you can use — just make sure to log out of your account after using a public computer.

Join My Social Security Day!

On Aug. 14, Social Security’s 91st birthday, we’re looking back on its history as a bedrock of American retirement security — and looking forward to its place in your financial future.

My Social Security Day is about the money you earn with every paycheck. Take a few minutes to check your account at SSA.gov, review your Social Security statement and see your personalized payment estimates.

Take the pledge to check your Social Security statement on Aug. 14, because you've earned it and you should know what to expect.

How to get started

To create a My Social Security account, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid email address.

Here’s how to set up your account.

1. Go to the My Social Security sign-up page. First, you’ll select which identity-verification platform to use: Login.gov or ID.me. (It is no longer possible to sign up directly through the Social Security site, ssa.gov, as it was until September 2021. The SSA transitioned those old sign-ins to the new providers in 2024 and 2025.)

Login.gov is a federally operated site that provides secure sign-up and sign-in services for participating government agencies. ID.me is a private company that provides similar services to the government and other clients. You can choose either, except in certain circumstances — for example, if you live outside the U.S. or do not have a Social Security number, you can only create an account with ID.me. The SSA has a video about the two platforms with more information on which might be the best fit for you.

2. Create your log-in. You’ll be asked to enter your email address and set up a password — 12 characters for Login.gov and eight characters for ID.me.

3. Secure your account. Select the multifactor authentication method you want the SSA to use to verify you’re you when you sign in to your account, such as creating a security key or receiving a one-time security code by text or email each time you log in.

4. Verify your identity. Both verification platforms will ask you to upload a picture of a photo ID, such as a passport, driver’s license or state-issued ID card. If you are using Login.gov, the next step is to take a selfie photo; ID.me will ask you to make a selfie video or dial into a video call. They will match the photo or video image to the photo from your ID and match the address associated with your Social Security number to the address on your ID. The only thing left at this point is to read and accept the terms of service for your account.

Congratulations! You have successfully created your My Social Security account. From now on, you’ll be able to log into your account from any device using the secure sign-in service you selected — Login.gov or ID.me.

What you can do with a My Social Security account

My Social Security is the primary way you can keep track of your retirement or disability benefits (especially since the SSA has largely stopped sending out paper benefit statements) and the most efficient way to access basic Social Security services and information.

About 103 million people had established My Social Security accounts as of mid-2026, according to the SSA. You can use your account 24/7 to:

Review your Social Security statement, which details your earnings history, Social Security tax payments, and, if you haven’t started Social Security yet, estimates of your future retirement benefits depending on your age when you claim them.
Get estimates of survivor benefits your spouse and children could receive in the event of your death and of your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payment if a medical condition forces you to stop working.
Apply for benefits by clicking through to the SSA website’s claim form.
Set up or change direct deposit of your Social Security payment.
Request a replacement Social Security card (in most states).
Request a replacement Medicare card (nationwide).
Change your address or phone number on file with the SSA.
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 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or housing vouchers.
Request a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, the forms Social Security mails to beneficiaries in January for tax purposes that summarize benefits for the previous year.
Check the status of a pending claim or an appeal of a disability benefits decision, including verifying a scheduled hearing date and time.
Report wages if you work and receive SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Receive notices about your benefits online (instead of by mail) and get email or text alerts when you have a notice available.

Protecting your benefits from swindlers

If you haven’t created your account, scammers who obtain your Social Security number and address through phishing, data breaches or other means may be able to go online and set one up in your name.

Article Sources

My Social Security, Social Security Administration
Creating an Account, Social Security Administration
Using Your Account, Social Security Administration
Account FAQs & Help, Social Security Administration
Learn What You Can Do With a My Social Security Account, Social Security Administration
What is Login.gov? Login.gov
About Us, ID.me
Protect Yourself from Scams, Social Security Administration

The threat grows once you reach age 62, the earliest you can apply for 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 My Social Security account is permitted per Social Security number, so establishing yours early is key.

Scammers can still cause harm if they gain access to your account — for example, by changing your bank information to divert benefit payments. Don’t share account credentials or multifactor authentication codes, and if you’re using a device other than your own, be sure to log out of your account when you’re done.

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

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The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarification.

Patrick J. Kiger and Andy Markowitz contributed to this article.

Phil Pruitt is an AARP writer and editor focusing on Social Security. He is a former editor at Scripps News and Yahoo News and was on the start-up staff at USA Today, where he held numerous editing positions.

Kenneth Terrell covers employment, age discrimination, work and jobs, careers, and the federal government 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.