Social Security announces new online services available with a 'my
Social Security' account
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[January
10, 2013]
SPRINGFIELD -- Michael J. Astrue,
commissioner of Social Security, announced Monday that the agency is
expanding the services available with a "my Social Security"
account, a personalized online account that people can use beginning
in their working years and continuing throughout the time they
receive Social Security benefits. More than 60 million Social
Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income recipients
can now access their benefit verification letter, payment history
and earnings record instantly using their online account. Social
Security beneficiaries also can change their address and start or
change direct deposit information online.
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"We are making it even easier for people to do their business with
us from the comfort of their home, office or library," Astrue said.
"I encourage people of all ages to take advantage of our
award-winning online services and check out the new features
available through an online ‘my Social Security’ account." Social
Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients with a "my Social
Security" account can go online and get an official benefit
verification letter instantly. The benefit verification letter
serves as proof of income to secure loans, mortgages and other
housing, and state or local benefits. Additionally, people use the
letter to prove current Medicare health insurance coverage,
retirement or disability status, and age. People can print or save a
customized letter.
Social Security processed nearly 9 million requests for benefit
verification letters in the past year. This new online service
allows people to conduct business with Social Security without
having to visit an office or make a phone call, and very often wait
for a letter to arrive in the mail. It also will reduce the time
spent by employees completing these requests and free them to focus
on other workloads.
People age 18 and older can sign up for an account at
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Once there, they must be able
to provide information about themselves and answers to questions
that only they are likely to know. After completing the secure
verification process, people can create an account with a unique
user name and password to access their information.
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People age 18 and older who are not receiving benefits can sign
up there to get a personalized online statement on Social Security.
The statement provides eligible workers with secure and convenient
access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information and
provides estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their
retirement. In addition, the portal includes links to information
about other online services, such as applications for retirement,
disability and Medicare.
"Given our significantly reduced funding, we have to find
innovative ways to continue to meet the needs of the American people
without compromising service," said Astrue. "These new enhancements
will allow us to provide faster service to more people in more
places."
For more information, go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
[Text from file received from the
Social Security office
in Springfield]
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