During the week of August 18, 2014 the Social Security Administration decided to rollout my Social Security Week, a week that not only celebrates the agency’s 79th birthday, but also encourages Americans to go online to setup their own personal Social Security account.
A personalized online account people can establish at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, my Social Security Account has drawn the attention of some 13 million people who have already signed-up for the service. Some of the advantages of the service include accessing Social Security statements, checking Social Security earnings and estimating future retirement, disability and survivor’s benefits if need be. These Social Security statements can be used to check the accuracy of a person’s earnings each year, which is important considering future retirement payments are based on earnings. The online service is important for people currently receiving Social Security payments because they can get a verification letter online as proof, change their address and phone number with Social Security and start or change direct deposit of payments.
The celebration of the first my Social Security Week is a continued effort on the part of the Social Security Administration to drive Americans to seek services online, which Social Security contends is a much faster, easier way of doing business.
“A my Social Security Account is a convenient, cost-effective and secure way for the public to do business with us from the comfort of their home, office or library,” said Social Security Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin.
During the my Social Security week promotion churches, libraries, government agencies, senior centers, organizations and colleges and universities are sponsoring events to promote and assist people in establishing online accounts. To learn more about these events click here.
For those who wish to remain “Old School,” the same online services can be obtained by visiting your local Social Security office.
