New Online Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
We’ve added an extra layer of security for our customers when they interact with us online. Now, my Social Security account holders are required to use their cell phone — in addition to their username and password — as another authentication factor during online registration and every sign in. An authentication factor is information used to determine if someone is who they claim to be.
This extra layer of security is called “multifactor authentication” and complies with an executive order requiring federal agencies to provide more secure authentication for their online services. Any agency that provides online access to a customer’s personal information must now use multifactor authentication.
Since my Social Security became available in May 2012, almost 26 million people have created an account. We have always offered multifactor authentication, but only for customers who opted for extra security. For your protection, we now require multifactor authentication for all my Social Security users. To register and sign in, you must now enter a security code that we will send to your cell phone. Your cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply.
Our research shows that an overwhelming majority of American adults have cell phones and use them for texting. Because of technical and resource constraints, we are not currently able to offer alternative methods of satisfying this security requirement. However, we may consider adding more options in the future. We appreciate your patience as we work continuously to secure your online information.
We’re committed to using the best technologies and standards available to protect our customers’ data. Multifactor authentication is just one of the ways we’re ensuring the safety and security of the resources entrusted to us. Visit my Social Security to learn more about this helpful suite of online services, including additional details about our latest security measures.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Fahmi N.
Until you find a way to allow Americans living overseas to have online access like everyone else; I will not be able to benefit from this valuable service.
At present one of the conditions to have access to your social security account is you have to have a US address.
Please revisit these rules, so we all may benefit from your services.
cdg
It’s bad enough that we have to spend $100/month for Internet to access government information. Now we have to have a text-message capable cellphone as well?
Pam M.
Pretty sad you are not offering an alternative. MANY people do not have cell phones and I am one. I can’t afford to get one.
R.F.
Hi Pam. The text message option has been a feature in my Social Security since its launch in May 2012. Making this functionality mandatory allows us to comply with the executive order and use a reliable method of multifactor authentication (MFA) for our almost 26 million current account holders. We are limited to text messages for the initial MFA implementation due to technical and resource constraints. We may consider adding additional options in the future.
Marty
Typical canned response from a government agency. This is what happens when government agencies AND other businesses are allowed to layoff older workers who would have told them, up front, how stupid and impractical they are being to implement such an ignorant plan.
You want to send us to a SS office that cut back on staffing because of the availability of online services? Wait a whole day in an under staffed Government office? How “special”!
Karen S.
Your premise that more and more Americans have cells phones might be correct; but I would venture that most of them are not 62 and over who will be the main consumers accessing (or attempting to access) their Social Security account. Or those who do may not have opted for the extra expense of receiving/sending text messages. Or those on Social Security may not be able to afford a cell phone.
Did you really think this through before implementing?
Yvonne M.
I have no cell phone! I am one of a million people that does not want to pay to send out and then receive messages! I flew to La in Dec and came home with no worries! Safe and sound! Who can afford a extra phone bill each month! I can’t, not when your on disability! Shame on the system!
Ron K.
While I have a smart phone, and can access the internet on it, Verizon charges me an ungodly amount for texting, therefore it is turned off, you should have at least one other way for multi-factor authentication as do ALL of the other private industry sites. Either a phone call or an email would do fine.. ALL other sites requiring multi-factor authentication offer all three choices.. NOT JUST ONE…
R.F.
Thank you for your comment Ron. We are limited to text messages for the initial multifactor authentication (MFA) implementation due to technical and resource constraints. We may consider adding additional options in the future.
Paul T.
As with many others, including a huge number of retired persons who don’t feel the need to be “connected” 24/7, I don’t have a cell phone. How am I supposed to access the site?
R.F.
Hi Paul. Please visit our website at socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact/ to learn other ways to contact us.
Maybelle W.
This is ridiculous. I have a cell phone but not a smart phone and do not have texting. So thanks for nothing.
FYI most seniors do not have a smart phone and it is them you are trying to serve.
Leslie
I agree. Most seniors do not have texting if they have a cell phone. Many don’t have cell phones. Why weren’t SENIORS considered when setting up something for Social Security?!
Larry
Government Employees, like Elected Officials forget they work for us. As a Senior I will answer this issue the way all Seniors should. On Election Day. Send a clear message that if Government is not going to work for their employers they will be fired. VOTE AGAINST ALL INCUMBENTS until they get the message. Our SSA accounts belong to us. We should be able to access them with whatever means we have and can afford. This is still a free country, don’t let them make it a dictatorship.
Lynn
It is nearly impossible to get on easily. Just change my password, got on and 1 hour later try to get on again and it does not like my password (which I wrote down so I know I’m using the correct password)
Barry G.
My cell phone does not have texting. Now what do I do ?
R.F.
If you cannot receive text message on your cell phone, you will not be able to access my Social Security. To access your personal my Social Security account, you need a cell phone that can receive text messages. Each time you sign in, we send a text to your cell phone that contains a security code you will need to enter to access your account. Keep in mind that your cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply.
Please visit our website at socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact/ to learn other ways to contact us.
Steve
So Mr. Fernandez it seems that anyone without a cell phone that can receive text messages will be required to go in person to a Social Security office to find at information on an account.
Did anyone at Social Security think this out before deciding upon the cell phone requirement?
..
Hello Steve, please remember that we implemented mandatory multifactor authentication, or (MFA) to comply with Executive Order 13681, which requires federal agencies to provide more secure authentication for their online services.
We encourage our customers who will not be able to access their personal mySocial Security account without a cell phone to visit our website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact to learn about other ways to contact us to access their benefits information. SSA is committed to providing our customers with convenient and secure online access to their personal information, helping secure today and tomorrow for our customers.
mikl
So here’s the source of this trouble reveled; an Obama exec. order. I suspected as much.
mikl
Executive Order 13681 only concerns financial transactions. Your statement above is bogus and a lie. Does not apply to restrict access to SSA accounts.
R.F.
Hi Steve. The text message option has been a feature in my Social Security since its launch in May 2012. Making this functionality mandatory allows us to comply with the executive order and use a reliable method of multifactor authentication (MFA) for our almost 26 million current account holders. For more information about our MFA process, check out https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/MoreInformationAboutMFA.html. Thanks!