Social Security recipients must update their online accounts. Here's what to know.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

July 16, 2024 / 12:06 PM EDT


If you recently got an email from the Social Security Administration, don't ignore it. Millions of people who created an online my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, will soon have to switch to a Login.gov account to be able to continue to access their information, according to the agency.

All users will soon need to have either a Login.gov or ID.me account to access their Social Security account and other online services, SSA said. More than 5 million account holders have already made the transition, part of an effort to simplify the process of signing in securely to access online services.

As of June, roughly 46 million out of the 86 million people with a my Social Security account will need to shift to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services, SSA said. "We have not set a final deadline for legacy accounts to transition to Login.gov accounts," an agency spokesperson said.

The Social Security Administration hopes the new approach will help address lengthy wait times for callers to its 800 number, which in April averaged about 24 minutes, down from 42 minutes in November, according to the agency.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-administration-my-social-security-account/

---

I know I had to pretty much do this for my federal annuity for the login to OPM so when it was time for me to start up SS, it was already good to go for the switch!

[pfitz59]

1. I'm good

until Project 2025 screws me!

[Jacson6]

2. This is going to be a disaster that will last for years.

Many people in my age bracket are not tech savoy and don't know how to scan in and upload driver's or ID cards.

[Igel]

6. Yeah, but the 30- and 40-somethings that like the idea

and the bean counters that want increased cybersecurity have trouble being made aware of that. "It's easy, they'll learn."

I found Russian easy to learn when I was in my early 20s. Not sure how easy it would have been now, in my mid-60s.

[quaint]

9. Yep, not all my buddies have smart phones.

[BoRaGard]

40. Also we get a shit ton of scam emails

so lots of people are gonna figure this is just another ripoff scam

Do not open. Do not read.

Go find an informative thread on DU instead.

[Bengus81]

41. Yep...I read that days ago and trashed it. Seemed phony....n/t

[honest.abe]

42. Its a bit complicated but once you get it setup and get in the habit of using it you will be fine.

I would suggest you get someone to help you set it up.

[Jacson6]

43. I'm fine.

But numerous elderly people that are SSA are not fine with it. It took me two hours to get my elderly neighbor to set up her online banking.

[honest.abe]

44. Yes. It will be a bit of challenge no doubt.

[GreenWave]

3. I did more than enough to log in.

I used a security key and text for 2 verification. It did not let me log in.

I am going to wait until tomorrow afternoon in case they have no one there now to handle the deluge.

Weirdly, it asked me to log out and knew who I was...

[Silent Type]

4. I know the amount I get and when it's suppose to arrive. I'll probably fill out new login at some point, though.

[brush]

5. I've always heard they notify you by regular mail, not email of text?

[Talitha]

17. Every time they notify me, it's through my P.O. box - the same place they send my tax forms to.

Heck, the email address I had when initially applying is long-gone.

[Grins]

24. They will email you if you have registered, but...

… only for general notices; something like a change coming, or something is being sent to you in the mail (USPS.)

Account stuff? Nope!

[PuppyBismark]

7. I have been using ID.ME for Income paying taxes for the past two years.

I just logged into Social Security via my ID.ME account and it worked perfectly! When I first used ID.ME it was easy to sign up for the IRS and today I just logged in as usual, selected Social Security, got a text message with an access code and was on my way. I then looked around found my phone number needed to be changed and it was easy.

Most everyone who knows how to use a computer will be able to use it.

[LisaM]

8. I had to do ID.ME for an account and it was unnerving.

I uploaded all the correct documents but it wouldn't take them for some reason (I did it absolutely correctly). So, I had to make an appointment with what turned out to be a burned-out sounding kid. He didn't even look as if he was 18, and he went through the motions so robotically that I wasn't confident he was even paying attention. ID.ME is a company the government outsources this task to. I would have felt much more comfortable if they did it themselves. Horrible experience.

[2naSalit]

10. I can't even log in to my email...

I can't travel and use my email and now that I have a new ISP at home, google won't let me into my email. Happens whenever I have to send a vital document to someone.

I just call the local, in the next county over, SS office or just go there, never waited more than a few minutes.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. Just made the change

Thanks for the alert

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Most welcome!

I figured they will eventually put some kind of deadline in place but knowing these systems are used by many older seniors, that will probably take some time to move people over who have accounts at all, first.

I know the last time I was at my local SS office, while waiting, I saw one woman who was working with one of the customer service reps on getting her account up and running because apparently it wasn't allowing her to login. I ended up going there "in person" anyway because you either have to do that or "snail mail" a W-4V form and I wasn't trusting the mail for that!

[Katcat]

12. Oh my lord

I’m already on SS and thankfully had an IDme account already but it was still a PITA.

[LeftInTX]

13. Thank you. I got the email, but forgot about it.

[SeattleVet]

15. I made the change to login.gov about a week ago.

I *should* have my first payment deposited to my credit union account tomorrow!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

16. I called Social Security today to try establish receiving my husband's SS.

One of the first announcements was that if you're filing to claim disability you will wait over 200 days because of cutbacks.

I don't think there was any announcement about login. Then again my hacked email address means no emails arriving.

Meanwhile I wait til August 26th for my appt to set up to receive David's SS.

[Puppyjive]

20. In their infinite wisdom

They have put a freeze on hiring and the stress of workloads has caused a mass exodus of social security employees. Not a job I would recommend. It is painstakingly difficult to learn.

[Vinca]

18. I assumed it was phishing and deleted it. They should have sent snail mail.

[radical noodle]

34. That was my first thought

but I googled to see if it was a legit thing and found that it was. Going to Login.gov was pretty easy, fortunately.

[jmbar2]

19. Strong Advice: LOGIN.GOV much better Do NOT IDme

The IDme was probably created by gen Zers and is really a mess for older folks.

Stick with LOGIN.GOV. Much easier.

[meow2u3]

21. Thank you for the information

I just updated my SS online account and set up a login.gov one.

[KarenS]

22. Thank you!

Our household is now updated!

[LilElf70]

23. What happens to those of us

that are on SS, but have never had to log into anything? Is it now mandatory?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

26. I'm pretty sure signing in to SS is NOT mandatory.

I'm 75. Been collecting SS for nine years now. Never had problems of any kind logging in. And for what it's worth, I'm old enough that I was able to collect on my ex husband's SS starting when i turned 66. A month or so before my 70th birthday SS sent me a notice telling me I'd now be collecting my own, and what it would be.

[PlutosHeart]

31. I think they were saying

they do not do anything SS online. Neither do I.
Would I?
I mean at some point if my husband passes I suspect I woudl just drive to the SS office in the town over.

[LilElf70]

32. You are correct

I don't believe me, nor my wife have ever signed up with SS ever. We did apply and are receiving SS. I'm pretty sure neither of us have signed up at any of the websites listed. It's been at least 9 years for both of us.

My question is, do we have to sign up? They have to know about us as they continue to distribute to our checking account monthly. I don't believe they have our Email addresses.

[BumRushDaShow]

33. I don't think there is any requirement to have to do SS changes "online"

There are far too many who either have no internet due to location, cost, or desire and/or who may be too elderly or infirm/disabled to go through that. The "in person" or "phone" options are always available, although I think the whole point of the "online" was for convenience and to avoid "wait times" in an office or on the phone.

[Firestorm49]

25. Social Security does not email.

[dweller]

28. Yes, they do

For general info , not for personal info .
I get an email from them maybe 2-3 times a year .

Got the one about new login but haven’t changed it yet



✌🏻

[NBachers]

27. Thanks for the info - I just went in and set up Login.gov as my Social Security login option and it's working fine.

I appreciate you putting this in front of us. One less thing I have to deal with!

[NowsTheTime]

29. One kind of feels they should do it, so some hacker doesn't try to set it up...

.......saw something on AARP about not having a pass code to your phone provider, where sim cards are changed without authorization and people having money stolen....

[soldierant]

30. I am definitely a Legacy user.

I don't recall getting an email, but I have "printed" this OP to a pdf. Not going to play with it today as OI am having computer issues. Thank you.

[Mr. Mustard 2023]

35. I did it last month...

...and the process requires taking a picture or your face. My phone camera wouldn't accept my face (I don't know how else to say it) so I was unable to secure the picture. Therefore, I had to schedule a video appointment for a week later, and that appointment was met.

It went fine, the young man was nice. I had to show him my passport and drivers license by holding them up to the camera. My cat decided that was the time to demand attention by jumping in front of me, blocking my camera. The young man laughed it off and was gracious.

The thing is, it took two weeks, technology and other official papers. Immediately after he approved me, I accessed my online social security account which I assume I'll need in 3 years when I turn 67.

I decided to update everything that requires "papers" including my drivers license, passport and to create a social security account.

My passport went well, and it took about 6 weeks to receive it from start to reception of the document. It went easy because I have all supporting documents.

Getting our Real ID's required two documents with names exactly as they appear on our Social Security card. Bank statements, utility bills etc plus old DL of course. Luckily a couple of our utility accounts and bank accounts have our matching names.

Check your state requirements and start gathering the supporting docs early, because you may find the project(s) take much more time and effort than you assume.

By the way, the new Oregon DL's are so covered with 3D images and stuff, I can barely read my name. In fact my Real ID was part of the problem with gaining my Social Security account because the camera wouldn't recognize the information on the DL. Due to the 3D images you see.

I know it won't be easy, and there will be costs with the projects, so some may not be in a position to spend time and money on gathering documents, but I recommend doing it if you can, because I imagine a time soon where those with "official papers" will be treated better than those without papers or with "unofficial papers".

I want to be close to the federal government and Oregon state government. My wife agreed, but I still laughed and told her I envision us on an airport tarmac, boarding the last plane out of "Magaville" before they close the borders to undesirable liberals and other "vermin". Like the last scene in Casablanca.

I live in Oregon which votes by mail so its easy, but I still want to have all my papers up to date in case things change for the worse.

Imagine trying to get a birth certificate of 50 years from the hospital you were born in. Some care, some don't, some run better and some don't exist anymore, etc.

Ironically, my passport was the easiest doc to get, but again I had the docs they require. I may regret my actions if the Deadbeat Felon wins, because it will be much easier for the Christo Fascists to identify this proud liberal Democratic Party member.

Never the less, my wife and I are up to date on all required papers of this time. It won't surprise me if the "official papers" change and yet again, we'll have to prove we are indeed the people who were "official" just one election cycle ago.

Good luck friends, and here's looking at you - kids.

[24601]

36. Thank you very much. I've updated my login.

[snot]

37. I suspect this is more madness.

More digital access/automation has generally meant more time wasted for me.

And as for the ID requirements, there simply is and can be no lasting security based on centralized control of increasing amounts of personal data, even biometric, because sooner or later, those systems can and will be hacked.

The best security is based on just one thing: your own personal, well-protected passwords.

I've gone through 3 data breaches at companies that had all my personal data except my passwords for accounts at other institutions. Beyond the inconvenience of my having to take post-breach precautionary measures each time (freezing my credit at the main bureaus and enrolling in credit protection programs), all of my personal data is now permanently on the dark web – except for my passwords for accounts at companies that have not yet suffered a breach and except for my iris scans and fingerprints; but no doubt the latter will soon have been stolen, too. Companies and institutions will eventually require our complete DNA; and that too will in time simply become permanently available on the dark web.

The bigger the institution and the more personal data its database contains, the more likely it is to be targeted by hackers (or abused by governmental authorities).

The only thing that might actually be secure is your own personal list of your own personal passwords, kept offline.

So imho, whether those implementing these changes are fully aware of it or not, all these heightened ID requirements and digitization/automation of access aren't about our convenience or security; they're about (1) cost-cutting for institutions at the expense of users and (2) surveillance of users.

[Hassler]

38. I only learned about the switch when I

Tried to log in 2 weeks ago. It was a pain, but eventually got it done. I think...

[IcyPeas]

39. I dont know if their servers are inundated... i keep trying and then do one step...

and get an error code. I uploaded my license photo then it said it must've been moved or deleted..... oi!!!

(This is using the ID.me choice)

[Deminpenn]

45. Had to do this for

OPM. It was a bit of a chore, but works fine.