Are you looking for new ways to save time this new year? Social Security offers many of its services online by signing up for a secure my Social Security account. Once you create an account, you can review your work history and see an estimate of your future Social Security benefits.
We recently made several enhancements and introduced new features to my Social Security. With your personal my Social Security account, you can also:
Estimate future benefits with a Retirement Calculator that allows you to compare different retirement dates and include future earnings estimates (NEW)
Request a replacement Social Security card.
Check the status of your Social Security application.
If you already receive benefits, you can:
Get a benefit verification or proof of income letter.
Set up or change direct deposit.
Change your address.
Request a replacement Social Security or Medicare card.
Get a Social Security 1099 form (SSA-1099).
Opt out of certain mailed notices.
The Message Center is a secure, convenient portal where you can receive secure, sensitive communications. The Message Center now allows you to opt out of receiving some mailed notices. You can now choose to receive the annual cost-of-living adjustments and the income-related monthly adjustment amount online. Unless you opt out of receiving notices by mail that are available online, you will receive both mailed and online notices.
All of these features can help you save time by doing business with us online. Create a my Social Security account today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
We also offer many other online resources at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Let friends and family know they can access them from the comfort of their home or office and on the go from their mobile phone.
Scammers go to great lengths to trick you out of your personal information. We want to help you protect your information by helping you recognize a Social Security imposter.
There’s a widespread telephone scam involving callers claiming they’re from Social Security. The caller ID may even show a government number. These callers may tell you there’s a problem with your Social Security number. They may also threaten to arrest you unless you pay a fine or fee using gift cards, pre-paid debit cards, a wire transfer, or cash. That call is not from us.
If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from Social Security, please:
Hang up right away.
Never give your personal information, money, or retail gift cards.
Report the scam at oig.ssa.gov/ to Social Security’s law enforcement team at the Office of the Inspector General.
Social Security will not:
Threaten you.
Tell you that your Social Security Number has been suspended.
Call you to demand an immediate payment.
Ask you for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card, a retail gift card, or cash.
Demand that you pay a Social Security debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.
Promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money.
Request personal or financial information through email, text messages, or social media.
Social Security will:
Sometimes call you to confirm you filed for a claim or to discuss other ongoing business you have with them.
Mail you a letter if there is a problem.
Mail you a letter if you need to submit payments that will have detailed information about options to make payments and the ability to appeal the decision.
Use emails, text messages, and social media to provide general information (not personal or financial information) on its programs and services if you have signed up to receive these messages.
Please share this information with your family and friends.
Chris Burke is a Social Security district manager based in Glendale.
