Retirement planning involves considering multiple sources of income, and for many individuals, Social Security is a significant piece of the puzzle. Your free online Social Security account is a great resource not only to review future estimated benefit amounts, but also to submit benefit filing requests, manage current elections, and request new Social Security cards. This government program provides financial support during retirement, and keeping track of your benefits is crucial for effective planning.
We wanted to make you aware of a recent change that could impact the accessibility of Social Security online services for some existing users. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that all account holders who created a Social Security account through ssa.gov before September 18, 2021, will be required to transition to Login.gov or ID.me to access their online services.
Why Is This Change Happening?
Based on a recent press release from the SSA, this change is being made to simplify the sign-in process and ensure that all online services are safe and secure for their customers.
In addition, the transition will streamline the login process across different government agencies. This means that if you have accounts with other government agencies that use Login.gov (such as USAJobs.gov or the Small Business Administration) you can easily access them all with one set of login credentials.
How Does This Affect Current Social Security Account Holders?
If you created your Social Security account before September 18, 2021, you must transition to Login.gov or ID.me to continue accessing your online services.
Do not worry – the process is simple and can be completed quickly. Simply log into your Social Security account as you normally would. Once logged in you will be prompted to begin the transition to Login.gov or ID.me. The Social Security Administration has prepared a quick tutorial video which is a great resource to review before starting the transition process.
What About Existing Login.gov or ID.me Account Holders?
If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, there is no need for you to create a new one or take any action. Your existing credentials will still work for accessing your Social Security account.
How to Create a Social Security Account with the SSA
If you do not have a Social Security account yet, now is the perfect time to create one. It is important to note that this change does not affect new account creation – only existing account holders need to transition to Login.gov or ID.me.
To create a Social Security account, simply visit the SSA website and select the option to “Create an Account.” You will need personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address.
Understanding your Social Security benefits is an important factor when planning for retirement. Utilizing the online resources described above can help you prepare, monitor, and maintain this portion of your retirement income and how it impacts your overall financial plan. If you have questions about accessing your Social Security benefits and building a retirement income strategy, please contact our office to connect with one of our retirement income specialists.
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This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.
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