Social Security scams are certainly not new, so receiving an unexpected email about your account can seem suspicious. Contributing to the concern is the seemingly never-ending changes impacting the accounts of seniors—and keeping up with new policies can be easier said than done. Wondering what you should do if you receive one of the messages in your inbox? Keep reading to learn more about the Social Security email, what it means for beneficiaries and why it might be a good idea to make an online Social Security account.

What is the Social Security email message?

With so many phishing emails making their way to inboxes these days, it can be tough to trust when a message is legitimate. That’s why many Social Security recipients were concerned when they received an email allegedly from the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the headline “It’s still time…”

Although it may seem suspicious at first glance, WGAL.com reports that it is in fact a real message from an official address. The reason behind the email: The SSA is alerting beneficiaries to changes regarding their online account.

“When you sign in to your personal my Social Security account using your username or password, you’re now required to have an account with Login.gov or ID.me,” the email reads. This step is necessary to have continued access to the administration’s online services.

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Do I have to make a Social Security account online?

If you have received the email, it’s likely that you need to make the transition to a new type of account. According to the SSA website, anyone who created a Social Security username before September 18, 2021 will have to make a new account or use an existing account on one of the accepted websites. No action is necessary for those who created a “my Social Security” account after that date.

Despite the push from the SSA, an online account is not required for anyone. In fact, the website states that your Social Security benefits and Medicare premium deductions are not impacted by the transition. The only downside is that you will have to deal with any issues related to your account over the phone or in person at a local agency.

Here’s how to make the transition:

1. Go to SSA.gov/my account and select “sign in.”
2. Select “Sign in with Social Security Username.”
3. Enter your username and password and sign in.
4. Update your cell phone number or email if applicable, or choose “Yes, it is correct” if the information is the same.
5. Enter the security code you receive via text or email and click submit.
6. Select the button to create a Login.gov or ID.me account and follow the prompts to do so.

Wondering about the difference between the two accounts? Login.gov is the government’s one account provider and allows the government to create and maintain your account. ID.me is run by a private company contracted by the government. Both accounts, however, meet security standards and protect user data.

The perks of a ‘my Social Security’ account

Though an account is not necessary to receive benefits, you may find it’s worth having online access. With a “my Social Security” account, you have the following options:

• Upload documents and submit online forms
• Request a replacement card
• Change your address
• Get a tax form
• Print a benefit verification letter
• Set up or change direct deposit

There are also reportedly plans to offer yet another perk: secure digital access to your Social Security card. This means it will be easy to pull up your card on your device via the website wherever you go. You could forgo carrying a paper version altogether and eliminate any concerns that the card could get misplaced or damaged.

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More about the Social Security Administration’s anti-fraud approach

The new online accounts are designed to verify seniors’ identities while also keeping their information secure. It’s been part of a large anti-fraud policy established by the SSA with the goal to keep benefits from getting into the wrong hands.

But many of these policies have been rolled back already, including one that would have prevented people from filing for benefits over the phone. Another procedure that’s been quietly dropped? A three-day hold on retirement benefit applications.

This was being done to ensure workers check for cases of fraud, reports CNN. Unfortunately, this caused a pile up of applications and an uncovered email showed that there were nearly 575,000 retirement claims pending as of mid-May. Roughly 140,000 of those claims were making no progress for at least 60 days.  

The loosening of this practice will hopefully keep things moving in the right direction for Social Security beneficiaries.