Logging into Social Security has changed — and some US retirees may risk their benefits being interrupted

There’s been a lot of fear mongering about the move from my Social Security to Login.gov, a new digital requirement introduced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Does that mean you’re at risk of losing your monthly Social Security payments if you fail to move over to the new platform?

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In July 2024, the SSA announced it was changing the way people access online services. Those who created their account before Sept. 18, 2021 are required to transition to Login.gov to access their Social Security account. No action is necessary for people who created their account after that time.

If you need to make the transition and haven’t done so yet, then now’s the time — but it’s not as dire as it might sound.

What’s the reason behind the move?

Login.gov lets you sign into multiple government agency websites using one account. It partners with the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Homeland Security, the Veterans Administration and the SSA to facilitate access to programs such as USAJOBS and Trusted Traveler, as well as websites such as VA.gov and my Social Security.

Login.gov is designed to be more convenient, but also more secure. When you sign into your account, you’ll be asked to provide your password and another authentication method, such as face or touch unlock, a security key, a text message or phone call with a one-time code or even backup codes that you can print off.

Federal government employees and military personnel can use their personal identity verification (PIV) or common access cards (CACs) for authentication.

Some agencies will also require you to electronically submit additional documents such as a photo ID. Those unable to submit this electronically can also present their documentation at a participating U.S. Postal Service location.

To create an account, go to the sign-up page at Login.gov. You’ll need to provide an email address, a password and one or more authentication methods.

You can also access your my Social Security account if you have an ID.me account — and you don’t need to create a new ID.me account to do so. ID.me is another single sign-on provider that meets the government’s authentication standards.

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What happens if you haven’t switched yet?

Those who didn’t voluntarily make the switch to Login.gov by March 29 will now be directed to do so when they attempt to sign into their my Social Security account.

Later this year, the “sign in with Social Security username” option will be removed and these username accounts will be retired soon, so you should act immediately.

Some headlines suggest that you’ll lose your benefits if you don’t transition to Login.gov or ID.me. However, “your Social Security benefits and Medicare premium deductions are not affected by the transition,” the SSA states on its website.

The SSA does warn that until you make the transition, you won’t be able to access your account. In this case, it’s possible you could experience an interruption to your benefits — if, for instance, your bank account changes and you’re unable to inform the SSA in a timely manner. Of course, this is easily avoided by taking the time now to transition to Login.gov.

That being said, not everyone will find the transition to be straightforward. About 10% of U.S. adults 65 or older don’t use the Internet and about one in five seniors don’t subscribe to home broadband, according to Pew Research.

Those who do have access may lack the digital literacy skills required to switch to a new way of logging in or setting up an authentication method. This is particularly true for older adults, with research showing they have a much lower level of digital understanding than younger people.

Help is available from the SSA, but with staff cuts and office closures, there could be increasingly long wait times on the phone or for in-person appointments. Plus, in-person assistance may require travel — and that might be challenging for some seniors, low-income individuals and those with a disability or mobility issue. These factors could lead to delays in transitioning to the new system.

For those who need help setting up their new account (and have internet access), there are online resources that can help. For example, the SSA has a step-by-step video and a [FAQ page[(https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/account-transition-faqs.html) with answers to common questions. Login.gov also has a help page and ID.me has a help center.

What to do if you miss some payments

The potential for a disruption to your benefits illustrates the importance of having an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account. Those whose cash flow is temporarily interrupted should try to lean on this fund rather than increase withdrawals from other retirement accounts, which might hurt planned future income.

If you do need to draw on retirement accounts, talk to an advisor before you do, in order to make a plan that best protects future cash flows.

Since the loss of benefits is temporary, short-term spending sacrifices are also likely to help without being too painful. Having a budget and tracking expenses will make it easier to determine where cuts could be made. .

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.