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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GuardDuck
What about those who do NOT have a cell phone???
R.F.
If you do not have a cell phone, you will not be able to access your personal my Social Security account. 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. Please visit our website at socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact/ to learn other ways to contact us.
Will
This is an idea that hurts so many people that is is criminal. I many years ago i did a administrative internship at HEW and learned that the government is run by youngsters who had ideas without any idea of what the real world is like. This is a great example of that culture continuing. Real businesses would go bankrupt with this culture and it is time that we change things to get real business people involved in government decision making not over educated under experienced kids allowed to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the people they are supposed to being serving.
Byron
I am among the “minority” who doesn’t have texting on my cell phone. You need to provide an alternate to the texting requirement.
David H.
my complaint is that I do not have a cell phone nor plan to get one, I am 70 years old and SSA is now making me pay $100.00 or more for monthly for a cell phone-thats crazy!
why not use the system that VA Pay uses? or military retirement system?
Pam
This SUCKS. This forces me to get a more expensive cell phone and more expensive plan but I get no SSA raise. Is this also going to affect Medicare???
R.F.
The Medicare program, is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
David
Guess this means our cellphone costs are now totally tax deductible. If I need It to access government services it should actually be a total tax credit, deducted directly from the total income taxes owed. I can do that!
Walter P.
What lamebrain thought this one up? I’m not convinced another level of security is really required, but if so, this is probably the worst idea possible. You are primarily dealing with an elderly population who are far less likely to have and be comfortable using, a text-capable smart phone. And who are prone to misplacing that cell phone if they do own one. And who frequently forget to keep the cell phone charged. And I can think of another half dozen, valid reasons why this is a terrible idea.
I find this lack of common sense in an agency we so strongly rely on to be very discouraging.
ttt t.
this policy has been created by someone out of touch with social security’s target population
John O.
More like out of touch with reality and living in an alternative universe.
Steve
I live overseas and the system didn’t accept my cell phone number. Now what do I do to get online access to My Social Security?
R.F.
Thank you for your question Steve. If your cell phone can receive texts, you will still be able to access your account but keep in mind that your cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply. If you are overseas and cannot receive text messages or are concerned about roaming charges, you will not be able to access your account. Our webpage Services Around the World provides important information for our customers residing overseas. Please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance related to Social Security benefits.
Kon T.
Ray- You missed his point, he is overseas and cannot register his cell phone because your system does not allow international prefixes and country codes to be inputted. You cannot just refer all SSA recipients to “contact” the nearest embassy – try and get through, neither can we call any USA office – with exorbirant international rates, who can hold for 30mins to 2 hours to speak with an operator? Why not send the code to our email address as many suggest here as a text alternative?
R.F.
my Social Security does not support cell phone numbers more than 10 digits at this time. We currently support international phone numbers only if they are within the North American numbering plan of 10 digits. When we refer individuals living overseas to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, we include the embassy’s email address. Visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/foreign/foreign.htm. Thanks
Barbara
I have an inexpensive flip cell phone which I use just for emergencies. My plan, which does not include “texting” costs less than $10 over four months! SSA decided that no COLAs will be provided. My federal pension is tied into this same nonsense. So, I need to go back to getting paper products! You are taking us backwards!! Please, keep the on-line availability.