I've been really scared to try setting up my Social Security account online because every system hates my name. I have only once ever gotten a paper statement that I remember and that was maybe 10 years ago? I know it's a good idea to at least get a printout of your SS statement before the whole system goes kablooey after being put through a Grok strainer.

I had tried a few times and the SS system wasn't allowing new account setup. Presumably crashed or broken.

But tonight it worked! I did it!

I had to really handhold myself through the whole process. I looked up the nearest SS office and planned how I would go there if the online version didn't work. I had to take only one tiny step at a time.
Started with login.gov account (that worked pretty easily). Then repeated rejections from SS website. Then it was very scary when it DID let me in to start creating a new account! I was sure it was not going to verify me. But then it did. Amazing.
Got my statement and making my backups.

I still assume they're going to crash everything and leave us only rubble, but at least if there's ever a rebuilding I will have the foundation of my information!

The other reason I was afraid to set up my Social Security account is I know who's on the other end of the computer tubes these days. Feels like entering enemy territory, on top of being very anxiety provoking to begin with.