It's very important in the world of senior benefits to have access directly online to what your benefits are going to be in the future, even if you've not yet applied, and to be able to do things like change your direct deposit information, request a new social security card, or sign up for Medicare Part B. All of these things can be done on your My Social Security Account.

We’re going to walk through step by step how to sign up for your social security account online and it may seem a little tricky and a little intimidating, since the Social Security will pull up details form your credit report to ask you about – it’s all in the name of protecting your identity, but still it does a little scary when they ask you “what color was your 2002 Toyota Camry (or something similar). Where it sometimes gets confusing is you may be like “I never had a 2002 Camry” well there is an answer (none of the above) and you can move on. All the system is trying to is validate that you are who you say you are, so that in the future they will know that it’s you signing onto your My Social Security Account.

 Obviously, the reason for this is that the worst thing that could ever have happen was for someone to be able to access your My Social Security Account and make changes without you knowing. That is why it is important to not only go through the process yourself and validate your account, but to also add the extra layer of security as well (more on that later).

Even if you have not begun to access your Social Security yet, you can still use the website to get estimates of your future benefits and verify the accuracy of your earnings. Note - verifying your earnings is very important because Social Security bases your future benefits on your lifetime earnings. Sometimes it is necessary to request a replacement Social Security card which you can do through the site without having to visit a local Social Security office. Once you start receiving benefits you can easily use your account to manage and get instant proof of your benefits:

• you can change your address and phone number 

• start or change your direct deposit information

• request a replacement Medicare card

• get a copy of your SSA 1099 for tax purposes 

To create an account you must; be at least 18 years, of age have a Social Security number, a valid US mailing address, and an email address. In 2017 Social Security implemented an additional step to sign into your account- a one-time security code to your cell phone or email address to complete your sign-in. Note: if you don't have an email account you'll need one before you create your my social security account.

To get started you visit the My Account at Social Security website (https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/), then select sign in or create an account. You should the Terms of Service page next and after reading this information select the box that says “I agree” to the Terms of Service and select next to continue.

The next page is where you enter your first name, middle initial, and last name as shown on your social security card. Then just follow along with your social security number, date of birth, home address and phone number. Important - add an extra level of security to your account by selecting the option “yes”, which prompts you to choose an extra security verification option. Select next to proceed to secure your identity. Again, you will be asked several personal questions to which only you should know the answer (see previous details) Once you have answered the questions you move on to creating a username and password and provide your email address.

To create your username it must consist of 8 to 20 letters and/or numbers and it cannot contain your social security number or your full name. The password must be a minimum of 8 characters and contain at least one uppercase letter one lower case letter one number one symbol and must begin with either a letter or a number. You will then be given an opportunity to select password reset questions to help you, if you forget your username, or password in the future. The last step in this process is to choose how you want to receive the one-time security code. It will be sent each time you sign in, so you must provide a cell phone number that can receive text messages, or use the email address you registered to receive the security code. Hit the “next” button and the code will be sent to you (either text or email whichever method you choose) You have 10 minutes from the time you hit “next” to enter the security code in the box on the screen that says enter the security code “here”.

Once you've completed all of these steps you'll receive a message that says congratulations you successfully created an account. A reminder – every time that you try to sign in you will use two steps to access your account. You must enter your username and password and then you must enter the security code that Social Security will send to you…It is a New Code Every Time! 

The ARIES Foundation for Financial Education, Inc is nonprofit dedicated to helping everyone have a better relationship with their money. Visit www.ariesfoundation.org or email us info@ariesfoundation.org.