The Social Security Administration made an important announcement this month that it has finally expanded the services available online for people who have my Social Security accounts. Along with the personalized online account, users will now be able to access their benefit verification letter, payment history, and earnings record instantly through their online account.
The Social Security Administration has been going through a series of changes over the course of the last year after crunching the numbers and realizing that they could run out of money within the next 20 years. When it came time to close many area Social Security offices, the Administration knew that there needed to be an alternative way for people to file claims then access them without needing to go into an office.
The new online services “[make] it easier for people to do their business with us from the comfort of their home, office, or library,” explains Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. Not only does this cut down on expenses but it gives people, who may have mobility disabilities, better access to their claims and benefits.
The new online services are currently available to people who have registered for a my Social Security account which includes more than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income recipients.
Anyone who is 18 years of age or older who are not receiving benefits can sign up for an account to get a personalized statement which provides eligible workers with secure access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information. The statement also gives the person an estimation of future benefits so that they see how best to plan for the future.
Source: Social Security Administration, “Social Security Announces New Online Services Available with a my Social Security Account,” Press Release, Jan. 7, 2013
Tags: benefits, online services, Social Security Administration, Social Security Disability
