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my Social Security Account: How to Create, Sign In and Use It

By Modinul Islam Khan Updated October 2, 2026

Reviewed October 2, 2026. A my Social Security account is the free online account at SSA.gov that lets you see your Social Security Statement, print a benefit letter or SSA-1099, change your address or direct deposit, and handle Medicare-related requests such as asking to lower IRMAA. To create one you must be at least 18 and have a Social Security number and a valid email address. Since June 7, 2025, you sign in with a Login.gov or ID.me account rather than an old SSA username and password.

Quick answer: Go to ssa.gov/myaccount, choose “Create an Account,” and pick Login.gov or ID.me. Have your email address, phone and a government-issued photo ID ready. If you already verified your identity with Login.gov or ID.me for another agency, you can use that account and won’t have to verify again.

What you need to create a my Social Security account

According to Social Security, “to create a personal my Social Security account, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid email address and Social Security number.” You’ll also need what your sign-in provider asks for:

Sign-in provider	What you’ll need
Login.gov	Email address, government-issued photo ID and a phone number
ID.me	Email address, government-issued photo ID and a device with a camera

If you live outside the U.S., Social Security says you must use ID.me. Setup typically takes 5 to 20 minutes.

How to create your account, step by step

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select Create an Account.
Choose Login.gov or ID.me. If you already have an account with either one, sign in with it.
Create your credential: enter your email, set a strong password and turn on two-step verification.
Verify your identity by uploading your photo ID and answering the provider’s prompts (a selfie or video check may be required with ID.me).
Return to SSA.gov, accept the Terms of Service, and your my Social Security account is ready.

Type the address yourself or use a bookmark. Real sign-in pages are on ssa.gov, login.gov or id.me. Social Security warns that scammers pose as the agency; see SSA’s scam page.

How to access your my Social Security account

Once it’s set up, go to ssa.gov/myaccount, select Sign In, choose the same provider you used before (Login.gov or ID.me), and complete the provider’s two-step verification. If you created a username and password with SSA years ago, that old login no longer works on its own; Social Security moved all online services to Login.gov and ID.me as of June 7, 2025.

Trouble signing in?

Wrong provider: try the other button. Many people forget whether they used Login.gov or ID.me.
Lost phone or code: use the backup codes or recovery options from Login.gov or ID.me; those companies, not SSA, manage your password and two-step verification.
Identity check failed: make sure your ID isn’t expired and photos are clear, then try again or use the provider’s help center.
Still stuck: call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit a local office.

What you can do with my Social Security

Social Security lists these services, among others:

Get your Social Security Statement and estimate benefits at different ages
Review your earnings record for accuracy
Print proof of benefits (a benefit verification letter) or replacement tax forms, including the SSA-1099
Change your address or direct deposit; see how to change your address with Social Security and Medicare
Request a replacement Social Security number card
Check the status of an application
Choose to receive certain notices online
Monitor for unusual activity

Medicare tasks you can do through Social Security

Apply for Medicare or Part B. Social Security handles Medicare enrollment, and you can apply online even if you aren’t ready to take retirement benefits. See our turning 65 Medicare checklist.
Ask to lower IRMAA. You can sign in to fill out and submit Form SSA-44 after a life-changing event. See 2026 IRMAA brackets and Form SSA-44.
See Medicare premium deductions on your benefit letter and SSA-1099.

One task that isn’t done here: replacing your red-white-and-blue Medicare card. Social Security says to request a replacement at Medicare.gov, print an official copy from your Medicare account, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. See how to replace a lost Medicare card and how to find your Medicare number.

my Social Security vs. your Medicare.gov account

Feature	my Social Security (SSA.gov)	Medicare account (Medicare.gov)
Run by	Social Security Administration	Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Use it for	Benefits, earnings, address, tax forms, Medicare enrollment, IRMAA requests	Medicare card, claims, Medicare premium payments, plan comparison
Pay Medicare premium bills	No	Yes, “Pay my premium”

If you get a bill from Medicare, see how to pay your Medicare premium.

Why create an account before you retire

You don’t need to be collecting benefits to use my Social Security. Opening an account early lets you check that every year of earnings is on your record (missing years can lower your future benefit), see estimates of your benefit at different claiming ages, and claim your online identity before anyone else tries to. When you’re close to 65, the same account makes it easier to apply for Medicare and to track your Medicare premium deductions once benefits start.

If you can’t use online services

Not everyone can verify identity online, and that’s fine. You can still do most tasks by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or in person at a local Social Security office. Calling ahead for an appointment usually means a shorter wait. Bring your Social Security number and an original or certified identity document. Family members can help you with the website, but they shouldn’t create an account in your name or sign in as you.

Keep your account secure

Use a unique password and keep two-step verification on.
Never share codes from Login.gov or ID.me with anyone who calls or texts you.
Be wary of pressure to act fast or to pay by gift card, wire transfer, prepaid debit card or cryptocurrency. Social Security lists these as signs of a scam.
Check the account’s activity and your direct deposit details from time to time.

Frequently asked questions

How can I access my Social Security account?

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount, select Sign In and use the Login.gov or ID.me account you created. If you don’t have one, select Create an Account.

Is my old SSA username and password still valid?

No. As of June 7, 2025, Social Security online services use Login.gov and ID.me for sign-in.

How old do you have to be to create a my Social Security account?

At least 18, with a Social Security number and a valid email address.

Can I create a my Social Security account for my spouse or parent?

Each person should create and use their own account. If you manage benefits for someone else as their representative payee, contact Social Security about the options for that role.

Can I get my Medicare card from my Social Security account?

No. Request a replacement at Medicare.gov, print a copy from your Medicare account, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Is my Social Security free?

Yes. There is no charge to create or use the account.

This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration, the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.