Save Yourself a Trip to the Social Security Office with a ‘my Social Security Account’

An efficient alternative to a trip to a Social Security Administration office or even a phone call, a secure my Social Security account offers a myriad of helpful services and information online, whether you receive benefits from Social Security or not.

This online tool allows you to obtain financial planning information as well as complete transactions. If you’re not receiving benefits, through the portal you can request a replacement Social Security card, review your earnings history and see an estimate of your future Social Security benefits. You can also compare benefit amounts depending on what age you start receiving them and, when the time comes, apply for retirement benefits.

If you are receiving benefits, along with requesting a replacement Social Security card or Medicare card, you can get a benefit verification or proof of income letter, change your address and set up or change direct deposit. You can also get a replacement Social Security 1099 form (SSA-1099) and opt-out of certain mailed notices.

Your personal my Social Security account includes a secure message center where you can receive sensitive communications. For example, you can view your annual cost-of-living adjustments before you would normally receive them in the mail. You will receive both mailed and online notices unless you opt-out of receiving notices by mail that are available online.

To set up a my Social Security account, go to https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.