Social Security online account won't let me change my email - logs me out every time

Same thing happened to me last month!! Their website is TERRIBLE. I ended up having to physically go to the SS office with ID and everything just to change my stupid email. What a waste of time!!

This is actually a known issue with the MySocialSecurity portal that's been happening for about 3 months now. The email change function has a bug that affects accounts created before 2023. There are three potential workarounds: 1. Try using the mobile app instead of the website - sometimes the error doesn't occur there 2. Call the technical support line at 1-800-772-1213 and request a manual email update (have your account info ready) 3. Use the "Contact Us" form under Help and specifically mention the error code if you can see it when you get logged out I work with seniors on tech issues and about 40% of my clients have run into this exact problem. The phone method has worked most consistently.

Just set up email forwarding from your old address to your new one. Problem solved!

I experienced the same frustration when trying to update my contact information! After getting nowhere with the website and being on hold for HOURS with their regular number, I discovered a service called Claimyr that got me through to a Social Security agent in under 10 minutes. I was shocked it actually worked - the agent manually updated my email address in their system. Check out their website at claimyr.com or see how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Saved me so much time and stress compared to waiting at the office or being on hold for hours.

This issue is frustrating but fixable. The email change function in MySocialSecurity has been problematic recently due to enhanced security measures implemented in their last system update. One detail that might help: when you attempt to change your email, try doing it during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening). The system tends to be more stable then. Also, if you have any special characters in your password (like @, #, !, etc.), try temporarily changing to a simpler password just for the email update process. If all else fails, you can request an account reset by mail - SSA will send a reset code to your physical address on file, which can then be used to regain access if you lose email access. This is described in POMS section GN 03020.015. Hope this helps!

my cousin had this happen and he said the trick is u have to first update ur phone number then wait 24 hrs before changing the email. somethng about the security verification system needs the old contact method to still work when ur changing the other one. worked for him might work for u too

I think there's some confusion about how the MySocialSecurity account verification works. Let me clarify: 1. The system requires at least two valid contact methods at all times (email, phone, or address) 2. When changing one method, it will verify your identity using one of the others 3. The error and logout issue happens when the verification process fails What I recommend is ensuring that your phone number is correctly listed and can receive texts before attempting to change your email. Also, make absolutely sure you're using the exact same name, SSN, and DOB information that SSA has on file - even a small discrepancy can trigger security protocols. If the technical issues persist, requesting help through the official channels is your best option. The technical support team can override certain security features when necessary.

Update: I tried several of the suggestions here. The mobile app didn't work - same logout issue. I then tried setting a simpler password and attempting the change during early morning hours, but still no luck. I ended up using Claimyr to get through to an actual person at SSA. Took about 15 minutes total (instead of hours on hold), and the agent was able to update my email directly in their system. They said this has been a common problem and confirmed there's an ongoing technical issue with the email change function. Thanks everyone for your help! Such a relief to have this fixed before my old email expires.

Great to see this got resolved! For anyone else running into this issue, I'd also recommend documenting the error message if you can screenshot it before getting logged out. When I had a similar problem with my Medicare account, having the exact error code helped the support agent identify the specific bug faster. The SSA's online systems have been having various technical issues lately, so it's definitely worth having multiple backup plans like the ones mentioned here.

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now! I've been trying to update my phone number on my MySocialSecurity account and keep running into the same logout problem. It seems like SSA's system has multiple bugs affecting different contact information updates. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like calling through a service like Claimyr might be the most reliable solution. Has anyone else had success updating phone numbers specifically, or is this bug mostly affecting email changes? I'm wondering if I should just go straight to calling rather than wasting more time with the website.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a newcomer here but have been dealing with SSA website issues for months. It's reassuring to see I'm not alone in experiencing these technical problems. The logout bug seems to be a widespread issue affecting all types of contact information updates. For anyone still struggling with this, based on all the experiences shared here, it seems like the most efficient solutions are: 1. Try calling through Claimyr to avoid long hold times 2. If that's not available, call the main SSA line during off-peak hours 3. Have all your account information ready before calling 4. Screenshot any error messages if possible Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community is a lifesaver when dealing with frustrating government website issues!

As someone new to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed experiences and solutions! I've been lurking here trying to figure out my own SSA account issues, and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. It's frustrating to learn that these technical problems have been going on for months, but it's also reassuring to know there are reliable workarounds available. I'm particularly grateful for the specific tips about screenshotting error messages and trying during off-peak hours - those are the kinds of practical details that can make all the difference. The consensus seems clear that calling for assistance (whether through Claimyr or the main line) is far more effective than wrestling with their broken website. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes dealing with government bureaucracy more manageable. Thanks for creating such a helpful resource for people navigating these systems!

I just joined this community after struggling with government websites for months, and wow - this thread is exactly what I needed to see! I've been putting off updating my contact info with SSA because I was dreading dealing with their website, but now I know I'm not crazy for expecting it to actually work properly. It's both frustrating and comforting to learn that these logout bugs have been affecting so many people for months. The detailed breakdown of solutions here is fantastic - from trying the mobile app to using services like Claimyr to skip hold times. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for when I finally tackle my own account updates. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and follow up with what actually worked. This kind of community knowledge-sharing makes dealing with bureaucratic tech issues so much less overwhelming!