We’re turning 80 this year, and boy, are we proud! We’re proud of our history, and we proudly remain committed to serving America, especially our most vulnerable people, including retirees, children, and individuals with disabilities.
We’ll be celebrating this milestone by declaring July 19 through 25 as National my Social Security Week.
Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin is hosting an event on Capitol Hill Thursday to talk about the importance of our programs and to highlight the accomplishments of the past 80 years. Social Security has evolved with the times. For example, we no longer fill out Social Security cards by hand or typewriter. And, you no longer have to come to our office to apply for benefits.
You can join in the celebration by opening a free, personal my Social Security account giving you secure and immediate online access to your personal Social Security information.
my Social Security lets you view your Social Security Statement, verify your earnings, and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive based on your earnings.
Amid all these changes, one thing will remain the same – our relationship with you, our customers. Social Security touches the lives of nearly everyone from the issuing of your Social Security card at birth until death – and even after – when we provide benefits for your eligible survivors.
See what 80 years of experience has taught us? Don’t wait! Join the millions and discover the benefits of opening a personal my Social Security account today. Let the celebration continue!
Wow, Great information , Now I can track my path to retirement. Great Idea
How secure is this site? I worry about hackers.
Thank you for visiting our blog. We take protecting the public’s personal information very seriously, and our my Social Security account application is a secure site. We use an identity verification process to protect the privacy of your identity and your Social Security information. You will need to provide some personal information and answer some questions only you are likely to know. This process protects you and keeps your information private. There are extra security features, too. You can have unique text message codes sent to your cell phone each time you want to sign in. There is even an address bar at the top of your screen indicating the website has an extended validation certificate. This means the information you provide to Social Security will be encrypted and that the website has been verified by a certification authority.
I have tried to open a ‘My Social Security’ account a few times but, after entering all of my information, it tells me that it cannot create the account. Maybe I’ve been hacked.
James, if you are having difficulty creating a my Social Security account, please call 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” please say “Help Desk.”
I have the same problem, can not create an account, called the 800 number and spoke to a representative that can not help because can not access information to see what is wrong.
I suspect is the “first name” and “middle initial” that has to be exactly as in the SS Card, in my case my SS Card does not has a Middle initial has a middle name, then its not exactly as in the SS Card. THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM?
You accept that the responsibility to properly protect …. You agree that Social Security is not responsible for the improper disclosure of any information that Social Security has provided to you, whether due to your own negligence or the wrongful acts of others -With identity theft of information by hackers here and in CHINA I will not agree to allow Social Security NOT to be responsible to protect my information! I think you need to change the wording ! It sounds like SS does not have to protect my information.
Won’t open an account until assured of the security.
You know it’s safe, since every government employee had their ID hacked last month!
Hi Dolly, you are right to be careful what information you share online. Our my Social Security account application, uses an identity verification process to protect the privacy of your identity and your Social Security information.
Additional information requested…..
I am 85 years old, having old-age related problems and also HEART PROBLEM WITH STENTS PLANTED, DIFFICULTY IN WALKING, INJURED BACK ETC ETC; getting MEDICARE A & B AND MEDICAID. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY/ HANDICAP, under SOCIAL SECURITY RULES AND PROVISIONS ?
Hi Krishan. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments are only made to people who become disabled prior to reaching their full retirement age. If a person who is age 85 receives retirement benefits, they are already receiving the highest amount they are due from Social Security. However, if the person is not receiving retirement benefits, they may be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a needs-based program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older.
Applied over a year ago, got denied and am one of the million people waiting for a judge and date for hearing. Hope the new people in charge can get to me soon. Getting evicted August 16th. Have no where to go. Philly has no available women’s shelters. No waiting lists anymore either.
Rose, we are very sorry to hear your application for disability benefits did not go the way you had hoped. We will send you a notice telling you the date, time, and place of the hearing at least 20 days prior to it. The amount of time to receive a decision after a hearing varies from case to case. We attempt to schedule all hearings promptly but there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals. Our hearing and appeals publication can help explain when you might expect a decision.
Also, keep in mind you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services or welfare office.
as americans why auh American university hospital in Beirut/Lebanon do not introduce a program to sick American people like American medicare with the same procedure. ? and other complete rules ?
I THINK THAT IT SHOULD HAVE A PROGRAM
LIKE MEDIcare.
Is so unbelievably frustrating, and frustrating Does not come close to the unbelievable Difficulty a person with a mental disability (myself in this case) experiences throughout this ridiculous process of SSDI. I have done my best, doing everything that was requested I do whole heartedly respecting the SS institution with integrity and honesty.
The system is flawed through and through its bias, it’s discriminatory, it is racist, it’s judgmental and it is definitely opinionated. I’ve jumped through every hoop as best as I could, crawled through every hole, bent over backwards more times than I can count just to be told that all of the years I was able to work and put into the system I have no right to. It has unbelievably worsend my mental state. I am so confused and no one realizes or simply does not care, the severity of all of this effects not only myself, but other people going through similar battles with the SSA for me it has come to the point where I am literally at my wits end, frayed ends of sanity, I am disgusted with the bureaucracy and corruption and greed and favoritism this system blatantly displays.
*** I am consistently denied the help I so badly badly need. I don’t know what to do, literally. Does this “comment” I am leaving Sound like the words of a person who is able to go out and substantial gainful employment? are you kidding me! I not only provided everything SSa, Ssdi, SSi requested, I also provided additional facts to assist them- I “passed” with flying colors to what they require in terms of being disabled, above and beyond and still to this day am denied The help I have lowered myself to The point I beg for.
Social Security attorneys? Hear this, All the way to the federal level, a civil suit in which my “attorney”, ordered me to pay him $500 on a pro bono case, totally screwed me over, he knew I had, nor do I have money, resulting in The civil federal hearing to never happen. I was blatantly misled so that I would miss dates (calendar days) and the case was never addressed.
Prior to that there was a hearing with and ALJ, I don’t understand, my psychiatrists Report or testimony, which they requested was thrown out by the all the ALJ, he throughout my testimony or report as well,
( i’m not educated in the law but I do not believe that is even legal). This ALJ, Who is too old to even be sitting up on the bench, definetly lived durring the time when the lack of civil rights were finally getting the attention they deserved, grilled me as if I had done somthing wrong? Or as if it was a criminal court in writing or something? This went on for well over an hour, which is exceedingly for too long for a hearing to last. He spoke down to me as if I were a criminal and questioned about things that did not pertain to the hearing? So he did all this only to throw it out? The “attorney” that was allegedly representing me did not say one word throughout the whole hearing, I don’t understand why she didn’t speak up and help me. I had never met her before, except for the two minutes before the hearing- This law firm completely immorally and unlawfully miss represented me as well as advised me to give false testimony to the SSA, Anyone can read the report from the hearing and see How the ALJ obviously used a discriminatory, antique belief of bias from the 1940’s +, ATTENTION! people genuinely suffer from mental disorders, and eventually lose their minds. Which is the fast track I am on right now if it’s not obvious. He should not still be behind the bench, *** The ALJ’s Job description entails assisting me throughout the hearing he is supposed to help me as stated in the literature of the SSA. I apologize I didn’t mean to ramble on like this but I have no outlets and no one to talk to. I started out this short story with how my frustration is immeasurable I have no outlet I have no money, never have I comprehended or fully understood what financial hardship truly is, how it affects people, I’ve always worked always had money and now, to have absolutely none, THATS ZERO, more over to be in the negative, completely in debt, with no hope of ever getting out in Leiu of this corrupt institution, without a home, without a vehicle, with no one and nowhere to turn to what am I supposed to do? if I could cry I would, I wish something would take away this anguish that never goes away and is so debilitating effecting my health, my blood pressure is going up my, mental state is diminishing, both quickly. I can’t handle this! I am an honest person, a child of Christ, I have no criminal history whatsoever a law abiding citizen who always played by the rules, this is the way I’m treated? When I am in dire need of assistance I was promised, and it’s dangled in front of my face and I have every right to it as much as every other American citizen who has paid into it and then denied. Oh that leads me to:
• There are illegal aliens Who have SSDI or SSI? What is going on? Are you kidding me, really? Social security administration: do you have any clue how difficult this is on taxpaying citizens moreover people in my position how humiliating how degrading to be stripped of your citizenship and placed behind human beings who should not even be in this country! What is going on? Are you kidding me, really? I’m not going to be on earth much longer because this is no way to live and it’s no way to be treated by the government I grew up believing in, trusted and supported, it’s just disgusting it’s horrible and I can’t take it any longer, i’m not going to kill myself but I truly don’t see any reason to live. Can you see how confusing this is for me? I don’t know what to do. If anyone took the time to read all this I thank you and for those of you who can relate to what I just testified to, I pray for you. Know that you’re not alone I know how you feel, ignored, like a burden, unwanted and not just alone but literally alone.
Oh, And with a Social Security administration so deeply flawed they have the nerve to celebrate?
This is absolute torture and I mean torture, anguish, humiliating, embarrassing, stripped of all self worth- dignity- pride and belief in this country. no one should have to go through this.
Is this not pathetic? I am so humiliated but with no dignity no self-worth, this message will be ignored just as every other request I’ve had to make for assistance.
Pat yourselves on the back SSA, you’re doing a great job! congratulate each other tell each other how wonderful you are and what great things you do for this country and it’s citizens/taxpayers, you live in a dream! You and are cold and heartless. how do you sleep at night? how do you look in the mirror and have any respect for yourself when you completely ignore cries for help? you are not doing what was outlined in your job description: helping people.
You seem to type mighty well, im looking for a secretary, interested ?
Congratulations ! Have been a member about 74 years of that 80 and proud of it. It’s a great program and invaluable to folks of all ages . Keep up the good work please .
Thank you David — we look forward to many more years of serving you in the future!
7-20-15
Congrats on your 80th birthday. You’ve made life
an even greater gift for untold numbers of
people whose savings would not cover elderly age
financial issues.
Please continue the fight against the ultra influential
who talk about discontinuing or sharply reducing
the nation’s top program for retired and other
hard working people. Thank you, JAS, Altoona, WI
At last! Someone with real exipetrse gives us the answer. Thanks!
they tell me j must go to direct deposit its the law. it,s safer than paper checks.every day i read the news where china,iran,north korea,or russia has hacked some us web site.they have the ss number of all gov. employes with home addresses and family members.i have got disability ss 22 years and it has never been late lost or stolen. while a friend of mine had a check on the way to homestead fl.the only problem he lives in carrlton mi. i live 82 miles round trip from nearest ss office.he had to make 3 trips to ss office to get it fixed.my question is why do i have to switch the gov. runs ss and the us postal service so if my check comer up missing it is somewhere between tn. and st louis mo.not lost in cyber space or in china. like they say if its not broke you know. well it is not broke the way it is
I have tried to open a ‘My Social Security’ account a few times over the past year, but after entering all of my information, it tells me that it cannot create the account. Why does it do that? Why do I keep getting e-Mails to open an account and then it won’t let me? SSA needs to communicate better, and display Error Messages that mean something to the end user.
Dick, we are sorry to hear you are having difficulty creating a my Social Security account. Please call 1-800-772-1213, and after you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” please say “Help Desk.” The representative there should be able to help you with your question.
I just read today that the prez candidates want to cut social security. Why? Why not cut their salaries instead of ours? When will the ballots contain the name of “None of the above”?
If I don’t answer right away Google shuts my accounts downs due a hacker and a phone that went wacky in a radiation room and Tmoble not helping me only stealing from a SSI patient with decite, and distractions
I would like help on this company I went in for help on a phone paid off brand 650.00 I don’t ask for state assistance I live off 700.00 a month I asked for helped the girls are trained real well , all the sudden out comes a boom speaker their dancing, giggling, the girl behind said oh you get that free, what, I’m deaf in right ear, I have rods that hold my neck I can’t see behind me, I’m planted from base of skull to tailbone, I have no circulation in legs from a broken bone that had laid on spine to long . After the radiation room affected phone Google shut me down trying to fix security, it stopped my bill bill pay I missed Dr Appts a bad mammograms I found this out with a urgent letter in the mail my mammograms we bad, I sent email after email to T-Mobile for help no reply I started getting calls of people asking if I applied for loans , I was already a victim before of identity theft and Internet fraud and I have the proof, so when I went to store just for help with paid off phone, few days later when I started to feel better I looked at bill I owe over 1,000.00 for help . I talked to the store manager he told me to bad you signed a contract you are stuck, I said you trained your employees to cheat , steal, deceit, and distract people in my eyes you are evil and a thief, you broke the the law. One I can’t hear, 2 I was not explained anything or terms. And as a seller in any kind big sale over 250.00 it’s to be explained.i would like help . The CEO of company said something as Manager I said you call CEO of Sprint a Lier I know now how you made your Cheating PEOPLE
Congratulations on your anniversary. However the SS system should be changed. I’ve contributed 31 yrs to SS and now I’m told I won’t qualify? At first I was told to work 2 more yrs so I won’t be penalized. So I did, now, I may not qualify. So who benefits if not me? I know people who never worked but are receiving SS income. It’s those people who are hurting the system. I don’t ever recall paying SS to benefit dependents. SS gotta changed so the payer benefits.
Marlene, we use your earnings and work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits. Generally, you will need to have 40 “credits”, or 10 years of paying Social security taxes to qualify for any type of Social Security benefit. If your reported earnings are sufficient, you could earn up to four credits for each year you worked. You can create a my Social Security account to review your earnings record and verify how many credits you have. If you do not have enough credits to be eligible for Social Security benefits, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The SSI program pays benefits to people with limited income and resources, who are disabled, blind or age 65 or older.
For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information, please continue working with your local office or call our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 for specific questions. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Generally you’ll have a shorter wait-time if you call later during the week. We hope this information helps!
Recalculation of the 2014 Annual Report of the OASDI Trustees http://www.title24uscode.org/Year.htm
Free Disability Insurance Reallocation Tax (DIRT) Act:
To immediately amend the DI tax rate from 1.80% to 2.30%, from 0.90% to 1.15% for employees and from 0.90% to 1.15% for employers under Sec. 201(b)(1)(S) of the Social Security Act 42USC(7)II§401 and amend the OASI tax rate from 10.60% to 10.10%, from 5.30% to 5.05% for employees under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3101 (a) and from 5.30% to 5.05% for employers under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3111 (a) to avoid depletion of the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund in 2016 without increasing the overall 12.4% OASDI or 15.3% OASDI and Hospital Insurance (HI) tax-rate under 26USC(A)(2)§1401 beginning October 1, 2015.
To amend the DI tax rate again in 2018 to 2.20% from 2.30%, from 1.15% to 1.10% for employees and from 1.15% to 1.10% for employers under Sec. 201(b)(1)(S) of the Social Security Act 42USC(7)II§401 and amend the OASI tax rate from 10.10% to 10.20%, from 5.05% to 5.10% for employees under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3101 (a) and from 5.05% to 5.10% for employers under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3111 (a) without increasing the overall 12.4% OASDI or 15.3% OASDI and Hospital Insurance (HI) tax-rate under 26USC(A)(2)§1401 to maximize efficiency until a deficit appears in the OASI Trust Fund in 2019.
Without Income Limit Law (WILL) Act:
To abolish the maximum taxable limit on DI contributions on January 1, 2016 and OASI contributions January 1, 2017 and repeal Adjustment of the contribution and benefit base Section 230 of the Social Security Act 42USC(7)§430.
To require the Social Security Administration to pay for SSI Costs beginning January 1, 2017.
To share profits in excess of social security program costs to the general fund of the U.S Treasury on a sliding scale beginning in 2017 DI 50/50 prioritizing the $22 billion + 2% annual growth cost of USPS, and OASI 10/90 to eliminate the federal budget deficit. In 2020 OASI would share at negotiated rates an estimated 25/75, by 2025 OASDI would share 50/50 and by 2030 OASDI would save to pay for the peak in costs of Baby Boomer generation in 2035 that might raise the overall OASDI tax rate from 12.4%.
SPAM; FRAUDELENT ATTEMPT even here! grrr.
SIR/MADAM,
I NEED MY PENSION FROM SS HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES.I HOPETHAT MY PENSION IS HONORED
BY YOUR OFFICE THERE.THANK YOU.
CARLOS J REPOLIDON
Carlos, if you’re referring to Special Benefits for World War II Veterans or any other type of Social Security benefit, please contact your local Embassy or Consulate for assistance. Visit here for more information about your payments while you are outside of the United States. We hope this information is helpful.
I am trying to use my account but my email has changed and I can’t remember my password so it sends me a temporary one to my old email address. I don’t recieve it. I tried logging in as a new person but of course all my information is already there it won’t let me get in. Ireally need some help with this please. Thanks.
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WOW! This would be great in THEORY if your online application system actually WORKS. It doesn’t. Also not working: the woman at the social security office who said she couldn’t help me and then directed me to go online which doesn’t work. That was great being pushed out of the SS office without any answers. Also not working: the two people on the “help” line who also direct me to apply online. I CANNOT USE YOUR STUPID SYSTEM AND THERE IS NOBODY TO HELP. Thanks for nothing. Worst, most stressful experience. Thanks for making retirement hell!
We are very sorry that you are having these difficult experiences, Sarah. Please do not delay applying for benefits. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 Monday to Friday Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to help you. If you cannot continue your application on line, even setting up an appointment weeks in the future will establish a protective filing date, so we urge you to get on the calendar to protect your benefits.
I am an American citizen living overseas – and unable to open “my social security” account. Can you advise if this will be available in the future for those of us living in another country? Kind regards, Victoria
We apologize for the inconvenience Victoria and appreciate you trying to use our online services. At this time you must have a U. S. mailing address to create or to access your online account. The “my Social Security” authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for issuing an account. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address yet. Please contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to your Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations (OIO) home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps!
I live in Germany and have an APO address. I’ve been told by the social security branch at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt that I physically have to go to their office to open an online social security account, that I cannot do this online. I’ve tired to create an online social security account online, but get the same error messages as many of the people who have written above. Why can’t I create my online account online?
Hi Gail, thank you for using our blog to communicate with us! We’ve checked with our operations department and they confirmed that individuals with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can still create an account overseas. The site appears to be up and running. If you’re still having problems creating your personal “my Social Security account”, please continue to work with the U.S. Embassy in Frankfurt as we are unable to assist with technical issues via this blog. Also, our Office of International Operations (OIO) home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.
I have been trying to set up an account for months. Every time I try to, I get these stupid questions about my credit that has nothing to do with me! I’m the only one with this ss number, or at least I’m supposed to be. You would think that if someone else has the same # the SS office would be contacting me. They say I have to go in to an office, I hope there isn’t as long of a wait as it is on the phone! If you have a job it makes it kind of hard just to stop by a local office. The closest office to me is 40 miles away!
Can’t log ionto my acct it been a long time please help need to see my criedts
I have been trying to set up my online account and the thing tells me that my online is suspended for 24 hours but to not being able to verify. Many of the questions are from some financial or credit information. Twice been ask about a resent credit card application for stores like kohl’s Macy’s ect.. and loans on vehicles on dates thru lenders that I have no idea who or what the hell that information is because non of it applies to me. I have not and do not shop at those places nor have I taken out loans thru these lenders. Where the hell do you pull your information from. Even the question about how much I already received thru direct deposit did not give the choice of the correct amount. If you do not give the right answer to that question how in hell am I supposed to know answers to the other shit that I am sure that the right answer is none of the above. So please tell me where and how do you come up with your stupid questions? That supposedly only I could have the answers to because I can’t answer them.
Hello Denzil. If you are having difficulties with your personal my Social Security account, please call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account. Sometimes, it might be best to visit your local Social Security office for further assistance.