You must be able to verify some information about yourself and:
- Have a valid email address,
- Have a Social Security number,
- Have a U.S. mailing address, and
- Be at least 18 years of age.
You can only create an account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You cannot create an account on behalf of another person or using another person's information or identity,even if you have that person's written permission.
For example, you cannot create an account for another person:
- With whom you have a business relationship
- For whom you are a representative payee, or
- For whom you are an appointed representative.
Only you can use the account that you create with us. You can never share the use of your account with anyone else under any circumstances. You can never use another person's account.
What will we do with your information?
We use the information you give us to verify your identity against our records. We also use an external Identity Services Provider to verify your information against their records. We do not share your Social Security number with them, and they keep your information only for the period of time permitted by federal laws, regulations, or guidelines.
When you make a verification request to establish your account, our Identity Services Provider may use information from your credit report to help verify your identity. As a result, you may see a “soft” inquiry entry on your credit report with the Identity Services Provider, indicating that the Social Security Administration made an inquiry at your request and the date of that request. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score, and you donot incur any charges related to them. Soft inquiries are displayed in the version of the credit report provided to a consumer and are not reported to lenders. Soft inquiries will not appear on your credit report from other providers. Soft inquiries are generally removed from your credit report after 12 months. Once you have registered for an online account, you will not generate additional soft inquiries by logging in to access our services.
What happens if you provide false information or misuse this service?
You may be subject to criminal or civil penalties, or both, if you provide false or misleading statements to sign in or create an account or engage in unauthorized use of this service.
Who is responsible if the device you are using is not adequately safeguarded?
You accept that the responsibility to properly protect any information provided to you by Social Security is yours and that you arethe responsible party should any information on or from your computer orother device be improperly disclosed. You agree that Social Security is not responsible for the improper disclosure of any information that Social Security has provided to you, whether due to your own negligence or the wrongful acts of others.
Social Security is Going “Green”
When you create a my SocialSecurity account, you will no longer receive a paper Social Security Statement in the mail. You will, however, receive an emailreminder — which contains no personal information — approximately three months before your birthday, to remind you to reviewyour Statement online.
If you need a Statement by mail, please follow these instructions.
With your my Social Security account, you can immediately view, download, or print your Statement. Your online Statement contains the most up-to-date information in our records about your earnings and benefit.