The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers programs that provide financial protection to millions of Americans throughout their lives. SSA provides retirement, disability, and survivors benefits to eligible workers and their families and administers Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for eligible people with limited income and resources.

SSA’s programs and services touch nearly every American. For many, this relationship begins at birth, when the agency assigns Social Security numbers. SSA also maintains earnings records for workers across the country and provides monthly Social Security or SSI benefits to more than 75 million people—delivering vital financial support to retirees, dependents, people with disabilities or blindness, and surviving family members of deceased workers.

SSA continues to improve the way it serves the public, making it easier for people to plan for and manage their benefits and access important Social Security information when and where they need it. Through expanded online services and a personal my Social Security account, people can securely access personalized information, plan for their financial future, manage their benefits, and complete many common transactions anytime, from anywhere.