Attention, GrayVine readers! If Social Security is a key part of your retirement plan, you’ll want to pay close attention to this important update.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made a major change to its online services, and if you haven’t taken action yet, your access to essential benefits and tools could be affected.

The good news? There’s still time to make sure you’re set up and protected.

The SSA has been working to improve security and ease of access for its online services, and as part of this effort, a major update was introduced.

If you created your "my Social Security" account before September 18, 2021, you now need to transition to a Login.gov account to continue accessing your benefits online.

Why does this matter?


The "my Social Security" portal is an essential tool for retirees and future beneficiaries alike.

It allows you to manage benefits, request replacement Social Security cards, check application statuses, and estimate future payments—all from home.

This move to Login.gov is designed to make logging in more secure while reducing wait times for SSA phone support, which has been a growing concern.

With online access encouraged, the SSA aims to cut average phone wait times from 36 minutes to 12 minutes by September 2025.

Also read: Missing this key requirement could cost you your Social Security benefits​

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Don’t delay – update your account today​

If you haven’t logged into your "my Social Security" account recently, now is the time.

When you sign in, you’ll be prompted to switch to Login.gov, ensuring you don’t lose access to essential Social Security services.

The process is simple, and if you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, you’re all set—no further action is needed.

Also read: "Will this affect my future?" A major restructuring of federal spending on Social Security​

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Beware of scammers—stay safe online​

Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of transitions like this to try and steal personal information. To protect yourself:

• Only use official government websites. The SSA’s real website is https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ look for ".gov" in the URL.
• Ignore suspicious emails and calls. The SSA will never ask for personal details or payments over the phone or through email.
• Report potential scams to the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General by visiting their official website or calling 1-800-269-0271.

Here at The GrayVine, we know how important it is to stay ahead of changes that impact your financial future. If you haven’t made the switch yet, don’t wait—secure your Social Security access today by updating your account.


Have you already transitioned to Login.gov? Do you have any tips for others navigating this update? Share your experience in the comments below!