Adding Additional Security to Protect What’s Important to You
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Social Security continues to evaluate and improve how we protect what’s important to you. We take this responsibility seriously, and we have a robust cyber-security program in place to help protect the personal information you entrust to us. Adding additional security measures to safeguard your personal information — but making them easy to use — is a vital part of keeping you safe and secure.
Beginning June 10, 2017, we will use a second method to check the identification of my Social Security account holders when they register or sign in. This is in addition to the first layer of security, a username and password. Right now, you don’t have to do anything for this new process. But you may want to sign in to your account to make sure you remember your username and password. Then, when you sign in on or after June 10, you will be able to choose either your cell phone or your email address as your second identification method. Using two ways to identify you when you log on will help better protect your account from unauthorized use and potential identity fraud.
Since my Social Security became available in May 2012, more than 30 million people have created an account. We have always offered this second layer of protection, but only for customers who opted to use it.
Last summer, we added a second way for us to check your identity when you registered or signed in to my Social Security . However, at that time, we only allowed the use of a cell phone as your second identification method. We listened to your concerns, and beginning on June 10, you can choose either your cell phone or your email address as the second way for us to identify you. Since an email address is already required to use my Social Security , everyone can continue to benefit from the features my Social Security provides.
We’re committed to using the best technologies and standards available to protect our customers’ data. This new security advancement is just one of the ways we’re ensuring the safety of the resources entrusted to us. If you plan to select email as your second method, you can ensure that the one-time security code email does not go into your spam or junk folder by adding NO-REPLY@ssa.gov to your contact list.
In addition to these security enhancements, we’ll also upgrade the look and feel of my Social Security , in an effort to create an enhanced customer experience. The my Social Security portal will automatically adjust to the size of the screen and kind of device you are using – such as a tablet, smart phone, or computer. No matter what type of device you choose, you will have full, easy-to-use access to your personal my Social Security account.
Our new my Social Security design puts you in control — whether you’re using a computer, smart phone, or tablet.
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Tags: fraud, my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Lorri
Tuesday, a man, described as white, in his mid
20s, about 5 foot 6 inches tall with dark facial hair and wearing a
gray hoodie, tan pants and a baseball cap was standing near the
counter.
Alimae G.
Can work full time and collect Soc. Sec.??
There’s a limit how much i can make per year when collecting Sec/ Soc
K.O.
Hello Alimae. Thank you for your question. The amount you are allowed to earn while receiving Social Security benefits depends on your age. If you attain full retirement age (66) in 2018, the earnings limit is $45,360, but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you’re under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2018, that limit is $17,040. For 2019 amounts, see the 2019 Social Security Changes Factsheet.
Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working and our Retirement Earnings Test Calculator. Hope this helps!
James W.
2-factor authentication is not working. I use my log-in credentials and request the security code by sms. No code arrives. Is there some known problem, or has my phone been hacked?
R.F.
Hello James. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. For help with your personal my Social Security account, at the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Andy S.
So if I get this extra security the social security administration that already is fully responsible and liable for the money if it gets robbed will what take a percent from the American people to make it safer?
FAIR PLAY HUH?! THANK U FOR THE RACKET!
Linda J.
I don’t remember my username or password. I tried entering information. It never goes to next.
R.F.
Thanks for your question, Linda. We offer a few different ways to reset your password. For more information, check out our frequently asked questions at: http://ow.ly/Z0tK30kp0hG. We hope this helps!
Cinda I.
I am locked out of my account because I don’t remember my password and made too many attempts to access it.
V.V.
Hi Cinda. We are sorry you are having trouble accessing your my Social Security account. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to retrieve or change your password.
If you are locked out, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. We hope this information helps.
Dorothy M.
I was checking to see who the Commissioner was because I received a call stating the Commissioner for the Social Security Administration was Samantha Hernandez. She gave a 301 area code. I’m assuming it was some kind of a scam. She stated they were going to suspend my social security number because it was suspected in some illegal activities. Glad I did not return the call.
Bonita C.
The cell phone and email address is public knowledge, can you provide a more secure way of securing SS account please?
R.F.
Thank you for your comment, Bonita. Please visit section “Enhanced Security” of our Frequently Asked Questions web page related to my Social Security account. Thanks!
Jill E.
Unable to sign in with temp password sent to me by letter dated July 24,2018 for socialsecurity .gov/myaccount online. Attempted Aug 1, 12 noon 3 times. Now blocked for retry for 24 hours.
R.F.
We’re sorry that you had difficulty accessing your account. If you are still having trouble accessing your my Social Security account, please call our dedicated “my Social Security-Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Martin K.
How can I print my 2018 SS Benefit statements?
R.F.
Hello Martin. If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your my Social Security account. Thanks!