Despite the uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump’s threats to the program, Social Security is continuing on its quest to modernize and improve, and one of the ways it has been doing so is by making it easier for those who have a “mySocialSecurity” account to access their Social Security number (SSN) through the porta instead of having to memorize it or carry their card.
While an SSN is key to accessing a lot of important services , it is often an unexpected ask when trying to do so. We are all encouraged to leave the actual card at home due to its fragility and the fact that you cannot alter it in any way to make it more durable, but remembering the string of numbers in an SSN can be hard, especially under pressure, so we can often find ourselves having to take an additional appointment or scrambling to find it at home when we remember it might be necessary.
The new Social Security Administration measure that will help users access their SSN
Since the Social Security Administration shifted their login to a more secure platform, it has taken the chance to add this very convenient feature to their “mySocialSecurity” account and help their users that do not know their SSN by heart, have lost their card or just need to access it in a hurry. As they explained in their announcement this new way to access the SSN is meant to “provide the American public with a modernized, secure, and accessible alternative to the traditional physical SSN card.”
Although the cards are not going anywhere anytime soon, at least that we know of since this would disenfranchise a huge portion of the population that does not have access or the know-how to create a “mySocialSecurity” account, it is a nifty feature that would be convenient for those who can access it, while still ensuring that all Personal Identifiable Information (PII) that the Administration has been entrusted with is secure.
Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner, who has taken over former Commissioner Martin O’Malley who started the modernization and improvements on the Adminstration explained “We are proud to offer this new digital solution to our account holders. This enhancement reflects our commitment to providing better service to the public while ensuring that their personal information remains secure. We believe that this modern approach will meet the needs of our constituents in a more efficient manner.”
The process is simple, users will just need to access their account and click on the button to vie the number and it will be displayed after verifying the identity of the user. As the official website stated after the upgrade “This digital feature not only streamlines the process for those who need their SSN but also reinforces our dedication to protecting sensitive information. By providing a secure digital option, SSA aims to reduce the risk of lost or stolen cards and enhance the overall user experience.”
But not all updates are good, and while this is encouraging, the shadow cast by the DOGE cuts and their attempts to circumvent the law and access the private information of Americans that the Social Security Administration is entrusted with still looms on the horizon and is making many worry about the future of the programs that they run.
According to former Social Security Commissioner, Martin O’Malley, “Ultimately, you’re going to see the system collapse and an interruption of benefits. I believe you will see that within the next 30 to 90 days.” O’Malley’s claims are rooted in the fact that 12% of the SSA workforce had been cut. However, when asked about the cuts, acting commissioner Lee Dudek explained that the cuts were “necessary to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies.”