by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
Do you like to check out your projected Social Security benefits online?
If so, now is the time to transition to Login.gov to be able to continue to access your existing account with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This applies to people already receiving benefits and to those who are currently employed and anticipating future benefits.
John Powell, SSA regional communications director, said that Social Security has adopted the new Login.gov sign-in to simplify the sign-in experience and to align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to online services. He explained that this access opens the door to a wide and helpful range of tools, services and information.
Among other features, current customers can manage their SSA benefits online, print benefit verification letters, replace a lost Social Security card or change their mailing address. Individuals who are still working can check to determine that annual earnings are logged correctly, receive personalized benefit estimates and track their SSA application status.
Loren Gottschalk, financial advisor and principal at Family First Advisors, LLC, Lawrence, encourages his clients who are working to verify their contributions to Social Security annually. Gottschalk, a member of Holy Angels Parish in Basehor, suggests that those who are employed set automatic phone alerts for May or June as reminders to check that no discrepancies exist between their previous year’s tax returns and Social Security online postings.
“This is a good practice and one more step to ensure the integrity of the data,” said Gottschalk.
About Login.gov
Whether currently receiving benefits or not, those who have created an online “my Social Security” personal account before Sept. 18, 2021, will be required to transition to Login.gov by calendar year-end 2024 to maintain access to their online personalized services.
Powell encourages account holders to sign in at their earliest convenience at: ssa.gov/myaccount. When users log in to their current account, they will have the option to transition to Login.gov. Once their account is successfully linked, a confirmation screen will appear, and they will have immediate access to their personal “my Social Security” services.
Step-by-step instructions for transitioning to Login.gov are available through a video link at: ssa.gov/myaccount. Also on the website, viewers can find FAQs for making this transition.
Existing account holders who are already using Login.gov or ID.me (another credential service provider) do not need to create a new account or take any action. Those wanting to create a new account can go online to: ssa.gov, click sign-in and follow instructions.
Powell said that the transition to the Login.gov sign-in is part of Social Security’s ongoing efforts to keep its system security up to date with the latest technology.
“The most important thing to remember,” he emphasized, “is that to access ‘my Social Security’ going forward, customers need to transition to Login.gov by year-end. This is a free, secure and convenient way to conduct business and access your personalized Social Security information.”
Recognizing that everyone has different preferences for conducting business, Powell said that Social Security has endeavored to make significant improvements to reduce wait time for telephone calls. Another option is face-to-face meetings in a local Social Security office.
