Dear Rusty: I recently I heard the tail end of a radio program that was discussing “signing up for my Social Security account.” I am now 76 years old and have been receiving my Social Security (SS) monthly amount directly into a credit union account for years. Since the time when I applied to begin receiving SS, I have had no need to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) again since everything is working fine. I do not like having to use the Internet. It seems the government is just giving me busy work and requiring me to remember usernames, passwords, etc. just when I am trying desperately to simplify my life. Can you shed any light on the need to sign up for an online SSA account by answering this:

1) What is the background regarding this “call” by the SSA to create an online account?

2) Why is the SSA wanting us to have “accounts”? Mysteriously, no one I have asked is able to give me a reason why we should have “accounts” online.

3) What happens if I do not sign up for an “account”?

4) Is there a window of time during which we must “sign up”?

Thanking you in advance for any light you can shed on this issue.

Signed: Concerned Senior

Dear Concerned Senior: While creating an online Social Security account is recommended by the Social Security Administration, doing so is more of a convenience than a necessity. It is mainly a way to confirm your identity to the SSA in advance, in case you need to contact the agency in the future to make changes to your SS account. If you don’t plan to make any changes, then it is not mandatory for you to create an online “my Social Security” account. Nothing will change for you — you will continue to receive your monthly benefits as you have been doing all these years.

Regarding your specific questions:

1. What is the background? Social Security has, for many years, been encouraging people to do business with them “online.” This is, essentially, a way to improve the efficiency of: a) getting your needs handled more quickly, and b) improving SSA’s internal efficiency, so it can handle more transactions with fewer staff.

2. Why does SSA want you to have an online account? SS fraud has become an issue, with nefarious individuals constantly trying to get at a person’s Social Security (and other) government benefits. As part of its process for online access, SSA has evolved to a quite secure online identification process, which includes modern security techniques. These include things like “two-factor identification” and use of certain specific identification measures through two main programs for access to government systems (known as LOGIN.gov and ID.me). These create a single pre-verified way to access multiple government systems (such as SSA, IRS, VA, etc.). It means that only one ID and password are required to access numerous government systems and ensures that those who access the account are the correct person. It is primarily a way to protect your benefits from others and prevent fraud.

3. What happens if I do not sign-up for an “account”? Nothing will happen, unless you have a need to change something with Social Security. For example, if you for some reason wanted to change the financial account to which your SS benefits are deposited. With a secure LOGIN.gov account you could make that change quickly using your online account. Without a secure online account, you would, instead, need to make an appointment to visit your local Social Security office to make the change and provide proof of who you are. Again, this is to reduce fraud.

4. Is there a window of time during which we must “sign up”? As indicated above, there is no time in which you must “sign up.” If you do not sign up for online access, and don’t need to change anything with respect to your SS benefits, then you do not need to create an online account.

So, while creating an online SSA account is highly recommended, it is not mandatory for those who have no need to interact directly with the Social Security Administration.                

Russell Gloor is a national Social Security advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). The 2.4-million-member AMAC says it is a senior advocacy organization. Send your questions to: ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

Author’s note: This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained, and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). The NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any other governmental entity.