Whether you are receiving Social Security benefits or not, you should create a my Social Security account online because there are many advantages to doing so.
The best part? It takes less than 10 minutes to set up an account.
In this post, we will explain the many benefits of a my Social Security account for both current recipients and future recipients.
We will then walk you through the step by step process of creating an account.
This Post will Cover:
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- Benefits of my Social Security Account
- How to Create a my Social Security Account
- How do I access my Social Security account?
- Social Security FAQs
Benefits of my Social Security Account
Here are the benefits of having a My Social Security online account and the services you can perform online using your account:
If you are not yet Collecting Social Security
if you’re not yet collecting retirement benefits, establishing an account is very import for two reasons:
First, it allows you to view your contributions to the Social Security program. That way, you can see the total amount of payroll deductions you’ve paid into the system.
Second, you also get a personalized estimate of your future Social Security payments in retirement.
This is useful because you can see how much you will get in benefits should you retire at a certain age or become disabled and need Social Security Disability benefits.
Here is the full list of what you can do with a my Social Security 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 die.
- Keep your account up to date by changing your address or direct deposit information.
- Request documentation, such as a replacement Social Security or Medicare card or benefit verification letter.
If you are collecting Social Security
if you are collecting Social Security retirement benefits, establishing an account is even more urgent for many reasons.
This short video by personal finance guru Suze Orman explains the many
.
Here’s what you can do with an online account:
Set Up or Change Your Direct Deposit
As of March 1, 2013, Social Security stopped mailing paper checks. Beneficiaries are now required to receive their monthly payments electronically.
That means that you will have to set up a direct deposit to receive your Social Security benefits or sign up for the Direct Express debit card.
You can set up direct deposit of your Social Security benefits using your my Social Security online account.
In addition, if you need to change your bank account for your Social Security direct deposit, you can do so online using your my Social Security account.
Check the Status of your Social Security Application
If you applied for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits, or have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can log in to your my Social Security account to check the status of your application.
Your Application Status will Show the following information:
- Your re-entry number for an online benefits application or online appeal that has not been submitted;
- The date the Social Security Administration received your application or appeal;
- Your scheduled hearing date and time;
- Current claim or appeal location, including the address of the office processing your application; and
- If a decision has been made.
Change your address and phone number
Are you moving or getting a new phone number?
Your my Social Security account allows you to update your information with the Social Security Administration.
Get a benefit verification letter
If you are applying for a loan, a mortgage or other government assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and need proof of income, you can request one through your my Social Security Account.
Other functions you can perform with your my Social Security account include:
- Request a replacement Medicare or Social Security card.
- Request a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, the forms 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.
How to Create a my Social Security Account
There are 4 steps in creating a my Social Security Account:
Step 1 – Vist SSA Website
Visit the Social Security Website and click on “Create New Account” as shown below:
You will then be taken to a page with “Terms of Service”. Read and agree to the Terms of Service by checking the box shown in the image below.
Agree to Term of Service
Then, click on the “Next” button to proceed.
Step 2 – Verify your identity
This is the step where you provide information about you that identifies that you are who you say you are.
This includes your name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Home Address and Phone Number. See below for details:
Step 3 – Secure Your Identity
In order for the Social Security Administration to verify that you are who you say you are, they will use the information you provided in step 2 to identify you.
They will do this by pulling data from your credit report. You will then be asked questions from your credit report that only you would know.
If you are not familiar with your credit report, you should pull your credit report and make sure you refresh your memory on what is in there.
You can get a free credit report from CreditKarma.com or from annualcreditreport.com.
Once you answer all the questions asked correctly, you will be taken to step 4, where your account will be created.
Step 4 – Account Created
If you’ve reached Step 4, it means you have successfully completed the verification and your My Social Security Account is created. You should receive a message like the one below:
You will be asked to accept the Terms and Conditions. Once accepted, you will be taken to your Account Page. Here are some of the items on the menu that you will be able to view:
Video with Step-By-Step Help
If you need further assistance in creating your account, this video by the Social Security Administration will help you create your account, step by step.
How do I access my Social Security account?
Now that you have created your account online, here’s how to log in.
First, visit the Social Security website. Next, click on the “SIGN IN/UP” link.
You will be taken to a website like the one below. Click on the “my Social Security” link.
You will then be taken to a login page like the one below. Enter the Username and password in the field provided.
These are the Username and password you selected when you signed up for the account.
If you entered the correct information, you will be taken to your my Social Security account.
Forgot Username and Password?
If you forgot your Username, click on the “Forgot Username” link as shown below.
You will be taken to a page where you will need the following information to retrieve your Username:
- Email Address
- Social security Number
- Date of Birth
If you forgot your account password, click on the Forgot password link as shown above.
Here again, you will be asked the following information to retrieve your password as shown below.
Social Security Questions
We hope this post on How to Create a my Social Security Account was helpful.
If your question was not answered and are still having trouble creating your account, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on Direct Express including Direct Express Pending Deposits (What it Means), Dispute Resolution, and Top Complaints about Direct Express Card.