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- Written by John Johnston John Johnston
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 cybersecurity 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.
Most people who do business with us online use our “my Social Security” portal, where, if you currently receive benefits, you can:
- Request a replacement Social Security card if you meet certain requirements
- Get your benefit verification letter
- Check your benefit and payment information and your earnings record
- Change your address and phone number
- Start or change direct deposit of your benefit payment
- Request a replacement Medicare card
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season
If you currently don’t receive benefits, you can request a replacement Social Security card if you meet certain requirements, check the status of your application or appeal, and access a number of other useful resources.
Since “my Social Security” became available in May 2012, more than 30 million people have created and use “my Social Security” accounts.
As of June 10, 2017, we require 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.
You will be able to choose either your cellphone 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.
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.
The “my Social Security” portal will also now automatically adjust to the size of the screen and kind of device you are using—such as a tablet, smartphone, 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 at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Our new my Social Security design puts you in control — whether you’re using a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.