September 30, 2016

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY – Rock Island, Illinois Office

ssaVitalChristinaBy Cristina Vital
Social Security Manager
Rock Island Social Security Office

DISCOVER A WHOLE WORLD OF RETIREMENT POSSIBILITIES

Christopher Columbus might be one of the most famous explorers in America. He is credited with discovering the New World, though Native Americans were here long before the Italian sailor.

Centuries later, there are new horizons to explore, and you can do it from the comfort of your home or office. With Social Security, you can discover a new world of information and services at www.socialsecurity.gov.

For example, you can apply online for Social Security retirement benefits. Not sure whether you are ready for retirement? We can help you plot your course with our online
benefit planners. Perhaps the most impressive of these planners is the online Retirement Estimator, which you can use to get quick and accurate estimates of your retirement benefits based on different scenarios. You also can apply online for disability benefits and even apply online for help to pay the costs of the Medicare prescription drug program at www.socialsecurity.gov.

One of our most powerful tools is our website: my Social Security. Create your online account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and then you will always have quick and easy access to see and update your information. You can use my Social Security to get estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits; view your earnings record; and get estimates of the Social Security and Medicare taxes you have paid.

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can use your account to get an instant benefit verification letter, check your benefit and payment information, and to change your address, phone number and direct deposit information. If you receive Medicare, you can get a replacement Medicare card using my Social Security. Whether you receive benefits or not, you may be able to apply for a replacement Social Security card in certain states, all online.

We have made exploring your bright future secure and easy at www.socialsecurity.gov. Remember, we are with you through life’s journey. Social Security online tools will help you decide when to weigh anchor, and venture into the seas of retirement.

DON’T BE SCARED OF USING OUR SECURE SERVICES

Autumn is the season of dressing up as monsters and watching scary movies in the dark. Even though most of these tricks and treats are just for fun, some of them can be scary, and for good reason. One of the most common threats we face is identity theft. Just imagine someone stealing your information and pretending to be you. You would have no control as this person acts in your name, spending money — and possibly, ruining your credit.

That is one trick you can do without, which is why we have added an extra layer of security for our customers when they interact with us online.

Your my Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount is a safe and secure place to do business with us.

On July 30, 2016, Social Security implemented a new layer of security, asking account holders to sign into their account using a one-time code sent via text message. This second layer of security requires more than a username and a password is known as “multifactor authentication.” Although we have always provided the “extra security” option to account holders, we implemented this new process to comply with the President’s Executive Order on Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions.

As before July 30, current account holders will be able to access their secure account using only their username and password. We highly recommend the extra security text message option, but it will not be required. If you are uncomfortable with texting, we will be creating an option where you will receive a code via email.

We strive to balance security and customer service options, and we want to ensure that our online services are both easy to use and secure. The my Social Security service has always featured a robust verification and authentication process, and it remains safe and secure.

There is no requirement that you access your personal my Social Security account because of the steps we are taking. However, when you do access your account, we encourage you to sign up for the extra security text message option. You can access your account by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Filed Under: Finance, News, Retirement

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