What you can do with your Social Security account

Your Social Security account is where you can see your earnings record, check how much you are expected to receive, and manage your benefits once you start collecting. You do not need to visit an office or call a phone number for many of these tasks — you can do them online through your my Social Security account, which is free and find.

With an account, you can view your Statement (which shows your lifetime earnings and estimated benefits at different ages), change your address or phone number, start or stop benefits, report a change in your situation, and read proof of your benefits for banks or landlords. You can also see your payment history and the date your next payment arrives.

If you do not have an online account yet, you will need to create one before you can use these tools. The process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov using your Social Security number, email, and identity verification — no office visit needed.
  • Once logged in, you can view your earnings record, see your estimated benefit amount, and check when your next payment arrives.
  • If you forget your password or cannot log in, you can reset it online or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for help.
  • If your account shows wrong earnings or missing years of work, you can request a correction by contacting Social Security with your tax records as proof.
  • If someone else has accessed your account or you suspect fraud, change your password when ready and report it to Social Security by phone.

Creating your my Social Security account

Go to ssa.gov and look for the "Create an account" button on the homepage. You will need your Social Security number, a valid email address, and a phone number. Social Security will ask you to create a username and password — make the password strong (mix of letters, numbers, and symbols) and write it down somewhere safe.

Next, you will verify your identity. Social Security offers three ways: answering questions about your credit history, uploading a photo of your driver's license or state ID, or using your mobile phone to take a photo of your ID. The credit history route is fastest if you have established credit. If you do not have a credit file or prefer not to use it, the ID photo method works but may take a few extra days to process.

Once your identity is verified, your account is active and you can log in. This usually happens right away, but can take up to 24 hours. You will receive a confirmation email.

What to do if you cannot log in or forgot your password

If you forgot your password, click "Forgot username or password?" on the login page. Social Security will send a reset link to your email. Click the link, create a new password, and try logging in again. This usually works within a few minutes.

If you do not have access to the email address you used to create the account, or if you cannot reset your password online, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. A representative can verify your identity over the phone and help you regain access. Have your Social Security number and a photo ID ready. Wait times are usually shorter in the morning or on weekdays.

If you think someone else has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready, then call Social Security to report it. They can flag your account and help you check for any unauthorized changes to your address, phone number, or payment method.

Fixing errors in your earnings record

Your earnings record is the list of all the wages you earned and paid Social Security taxes on. Social Security uses this to calculate your benefit amount. If you see years missing, wages that look too low, or employers you do not recognize, you can request a correction.

First, gather your tax records — W-2 forms, pay stubs, or tax returns from the years in question. Log into your my Social Security account and look at your Statement to see exactly which years or amounts are wrong. Then contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring your tax documents with you.

Social Security will compare your records to what you provide. If your documents show different earnings, they will correct your record. This can take several weeks. Once corrected, your estimated benefit amount may change — Social Security will send you an updated Statement.

If you worked for a railroad, you will need to contact the Railroad Retirement Board instead at 1-877-772-5772, because they handle railroad worker records separately.

Reporting changes to your account

If your address, phone number, or direct deposit information changes, update it in your my Social Security account as soon as possible. Log in, go to "Personal Information," and make the change. It takes effect right away for most updates.

If you have a change in your living situation, income, or family status that affects your benefits — such as getting married, divorcing, moving out of the country, or starting work — you should report it to Social Security. Some changes do not affect your benefits, but others do. You can report changes online through your account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local office.

If you are receiving benefits and your circumstances change, reporting quickly helps prevent overpayments (when Social Security sends you more than you are owed). If you receive an overpayment by mistake, Social Security will ask you to repay it, so it is better to report changes early.

Getting help with your account

Social Security offers support by phone, in person, and online. The main phone number is 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing). Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Mornings and early in the week usually have shorter wait times.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the nearest one at ssa.gov by entering your zip code. Bring your Social Security card, photo ID, and any documents related to your question (such as tax records or a marriage certificate). Many offices now let you schedule an appointment online instead of waiting in line.

If you need help creating your account or understanding your Statement, Social Security staff can walk you through it. If you have a representative payee (someone who manages your benefits for you), they can also access your account with your permission.

Protecting your account from fraud

Your my Social Security account is protected by a password and identity verification, but you should still take steps to keep it find. Use a strong, unique password that you do not use for other websites. Do not share your password with anyone, including Social Security staff — they will never ask for it.

Be cautious of emails or phone calls claiming to be from Social Security. Social Security does not contact people by email or text to ask for personal information or passwords. If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links or read attachments. Report it to Social Security's Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or by phone at 1-800-269-0271.

If you notice activity on your account that you did not authorize — such as a change to your address or payment method — change your password when ready and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report it. The sooner you report fraud, the faster Social Security can stop it and protect your benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to create a my Social Security account to receive benefits?

No. You can receive benefits without an online account. However, an account makes it easier to manage your benefits, check your payment date, and report changes without calling or visiting an office. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can handle everything by phone or in person.

What if I do not have an email address?

You will need an email address to create a my Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can set up a free email account through Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook in a few minutes. Once you have an email address, you can create your Social Security account. If you do not want to use email, you can still manage your benefits by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting an office.

Can I check my benefits before I turn 62?

Yes. Your my Social Security account shows your estimated benefit amount at different ages — 62, full retirement age, and 70. These are estimates based on your current earnings record and assume you will keep working until that age. The actual amount may change depending on your future earnings and when you actually start benefits.

How long does it take to verify my identity when I create an account?

If you use the credit history questions, verification is when ready and your account is active right away. If you upload a photo of your ID, it usually takes 24 hours but can take longer if Social Security needs to review it manually. You will receive an email when verification is complete.

What should I do if Social Security says I owe an overpayment?

Contact Social Security right away at 1-800-772-1213 to understand why they say you were overpaid. Ask for an explanation in writing. You have the right to request a hearing if you disagree. Do not ignore an overpayment notice — Social Security can withhold future benefits or take other action to recover the money.