It has become necessary for the majority of Social Security recipients to switch to a new login portal to continue accessing their online account information. According to the SSA, users who created an online my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, will have to transition to a login.gov account to access online services.
Currently, 46 million users are yet to transition to login.gov accounts as more than 5 million account holders have already made the transition to two-step authentication and do not need to create a new account.
According to one of the spokespersons of the SSA, it’s just beginning and soon the public will know about it. “We are currently in the beginning stages of this transition process and our current goal is to notify the public about these upcoming changes, as such we have not set a final deadline for these remaining accounts to transition to Login.gov.”
What is Login.gov
Login.gov is a secure authentication platform used by multiple U.S. government agencies. It meets the highest standards for online identity proofing and authentication, providing an extra layer of security for users.
The transition to login.gov in Social Security is aimed to improve security and simplify the login process for users managing their Social Security accounts.
If you currently have a my Social Security account, it is essential to ensure that your account is up to date before switching to login.gov.
What is my Social Security
My Social Security account is an online service that is provided by the SSA that allows users to manage their Social Security benefits, access their Social Security Statements, and perform various other tasks. The platform also provides a secure way to check earnings records, estimate future benefits, and request replacement Social Security cards.
Create your Login.gov account
If you have not created your login.gov account, follow these steps to do so.
- Enter your email address at https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email to begin.
- Click the “Submit” button.
- Check your email for the confirmation message from login.gov
- Click the ” Confirm your email address” button in the email. This will redirect you back to the login.gov website
- Create your unique Login.gov password. This password should be simple but unique only to you. It must have at least 12 characters consisting of numbers and special characters.
- Set up a second layer of security: this is usually referred to as multi-factor authentication (MFA). These consist of
- Security key
- Face or touch unlock,
- Authentication applications, etc.
How to Verify if Your Social Security Account is Up to Date
Step 1: Access your Social Security account
Visit the SSA’s official website and log in to your Social Security account. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one by providing personal information and verifying your identity.
Step 2: Review Personal Information
Once logged in, review your personal information, including;
- Name
- Address
- Contact information
- Social Security number
Ensure that all information is accurate and up to date. If any changes are needed, ensure to update immediately.
Step 3: Check Earnings Record
Review your earnings history to ensure it is accurate, if there are any mistakes, contact the SSA for corrections.
Step 4: Enable Two-step Authentication
You need to enable the two-factor authentication on your my Social Security account for added security. This gives an extra layer of protection.
