The Social Security Administration (SSA) has numerous resources available to assist persons who rely on their programs in obtaining pertinent information about their benefits. This allows present and future retirees to make more informed decisions and ask the right questions before problems arise.
And, while most people stick to the surface level, aka the website, which is incredibly comprehensive and can answer almost any query you may have, the answers are broad and not tailored to the unique needs of the person who requires them.
Of course, calling is always an option, but it might result in long wait times and getting passed around a few times, which is not appealing to most individuals with hectic schedules.
However, there is a third resource on the website where we can access our Social Security online accounts. While it may appear to be simply another tool, it has all of the important information personal to its user and can help answer a variety of queries in a relevant manner, or at the very least let you ask better, more full questions should you need to contact someone over the phone.
My Social Security online account
The best way to figure out information, the account will help you:
- Receive a personalized estimate of your retirement benefit or your spouse’s retirement benefits
- Check the status of your Social Security application
- Confirm your earnings record, which will determine the amount of your benefits
- Set up or change your direct deposit form if you’re currently receiving benefits
- Print a benefits verification
- Update your address
All of these chores are important, but some retirees, particularly those who already have an account, may encounter an unexpected hurdle soon. The account is changing. According to the SSA, almost 46 million people opened a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021.
By doing so, individuals created a username and password for logging into the site, but these credentials will soon become useless as the site transitions to a Login.gov ID.me account.
Those who still have the old credentials will need to update their account shortly or lose access to all of the information contained in their profile.
Fortunately, the process is simple, especially if you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account. If this is the case for you, simply sign in with your existing credentials and the accounts will be combined without trouble.
Those who do not already have one of these accounts will need to create one in order to restore access and continue managing their benefits. If you do not take care of this before the previous accounts become obsolete, you may have difficulty regaining access to your advantages, so do it as soon as feasible.
The system will help you through the update; all you have to do is read carefully and complete the information that will be requested of you. You will also be able to enable two-factor authentication (2FA), which will help to keep your information secure.
Simply think about your 2FA, since you will be required to supply a phone number or another alternative method of contact that the SSA can use to verify your identity when you attempt to sign into the site. This is an account or phone number that will be easily accessible whenever you need to check in, so do not use it as your business phone or email address in case it changes.
Ensure that all of the data utilized belongs to you and only you (to prevent others from accessing your information) and is available anytime you want to log in.
Also See:- Important news for Social Security beneficiaries starting December 1 – It will affect their accounts