The Social Security Administration may require you to update your personal account online.

• The "my Social Security" personal accounts online are being upgraded by the Social Security Administration.
• The agency aims to simplify the login process and enhance online security, it stated.
• Users may need to log in and switch accounts before accessing the content.

The Social Security Administration is updating its online services.

The agency is urging you to log in to your "my Social Security" account, particularly if you created it before Sept. 18, 2021. Soon, account holders will have to transition to a Login.gov account to access online Social Security services.

Both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries can access various services through the online "my Social Security" accounts, such as requesting Social Security card replacements, estimating future benefits, checking on the status of benefit applications, and managing current benefits.

The online services aim to reduce wait times for both current and future beneficiaries, as well as the Social Security Administration, which is struggling with long wait times for its national 800 phone number. The average speed to answer those calls was about 36 minutes in the second quarter, according to the Social Security Administration. The agency is working to bring that average wait time down to 12 minutes by the end of September 2025.

How to make sure your account is up to date

When current account holders log in, those who need to make changes will be prompted to switch to Login.gov. A confirmation message will appear once the account has been successfully linked, granting access to Social Security accounts and other services.

Those with existing Login.gov or ID.me accounts are exempt from taking any action.

It is crucial to confirm that any websites or links are legitimate before visiting them. Emails should originate from a ".gov" domain.

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Legitimate Social Security web links will always start with "https://" and end with ".gov/." An example of a bona fide agency link is: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.

Be cautious of fraudulent websites that closely resemble legitimate agency links and may ask for personal information.

If you receive a suspicious email or link, it is advisable not to respond or click on it. Instead, you can report it to the Office of the Inspector General's website or call the fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.