If you haven’t signed into your Social Security account recently, you may not be aware of the new login requirements. Anyone who created their my Social Security account before September 18, 2021 will have to switch over to one of the two new Credential Service Providers (CSP) – Login.gov or ID.me*. The sign-in with user name and password is being retired soon. The Social Security Administration is strongly encouraging people to set up their account with one of the new CSPs as soon as possible to maintain uninterrupted access to the site. Note / If you have not looked at my Social Security, now is a good time to sign up. It is not just a site for those already collecting Social Security. Here is where you can replace a lost Social Security card, check your eligibility, review your earnings history and estimate your future benefits.
Why the change? The federal government has outlined new authentication standards that are designed to reduce the risk of identity theft, to increase trust in sharing personal information with government agencies, and to align the sign-in processes over the federal agencies. It is mandatory that any log-in to a federal agency use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security.
The how-to is pretty well outlined on the Social Security website: www.ssa.gov. The most complex part may be uploading your identification documents and selfie when setting up ID.me. Don’t worry; you can complete this step via a short video call.
Here are some links where you can find the answers to questions you have about setting up either Login.gov or ID.me:
www.ssa.gov/myaccount/account-transition-faqs.html
The good news is that once you go through the setup process for either Login.gov or ID.me, you will be able to use a single account over more than one government agency. For example, Login.gov provides access to both my Social Security and VA.gov using the same login credentials. ID.me is used by both the IRS and SSA. Note that you can have only one Login.gov or ID.me account associated with you – similar to having only one social security number.
If you feel unsure about how to access any of the sites listed or how to set up your logins, please feel free to call (215-836-4880) or email the office
(ellend@regardingyourmoney.com).
*ID.me is a single sign-on provider that also meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements. It is not part of the US government.
Source: SSA