LEARN HOW YOUR PLANNED GIFT CAN HELP THE AMERICAN LEGION

I recently received an email that I needed to update my online Social Security account. Is this legitimate or a scam?

The Social Security Administration sent out a legitimate email in July to notify recipients that they are making changes to the way you access Social Security’s online services, including your personal “my Social Security” account. The changes will simplify your sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards. and ensure safe and secure access to your account and other online services.

If you created an online “my Social Security” account before Sept. 18, 2021, you will need to transition to a Login.gov account to continue to access your account. If you already have either a Login.gov or ID.me account, you do not have to take any action.

“My Social Security” accounts allow both beneficiaries and those not yet receiving benefits to access services, such as requesting card replacements, estimating future benefits, checking on the status of benefit applications and managing current benefits.

The online services aim to save time for both current and future beneficiaries, as well as for the Social Security Administration (SSA), which grapples with excessive wait times on its toll-free line. The average speed to answer those calls was approximately 36 minutes in the second quarter, according to SSA. The agency’s goal is to bring the average wait time down to 12 minutes by the end of September 2025.

Update Your Account If you already have a “my Social Security” account, go to SSA.gov/myaccount and sign in with your Social Security username. You will be guided through the process of creating a new account with Login.gov. Once you successfully link your personal account with this new account, you will get a confirmation screen and have immediate access to online services. In the future, you will sign into your account through Login.gov.

Beware of Scams To be sure you are taking the appropriate steps to update your account, it is important to verify any websites or links leading you to the Social Security website. The legitimate Social Security Administration website link is www.SSA.gov, and the agency link to “my Social Security” account is www.SSA.gov/myaccount.

It is very important to be mindful of potential scam artists who may send you fraudulent websites pretending to direct you to the Social Security website. These sites will closely mimic the format of the agency’s links to try to lure you into entering your personal information. If you see a suspicious email or link, it is best not to respond or click on it. Instead, you can report it to the website of SSA’s Office of the Inspector General or call the fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.

“Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to NBC’s “Today Show.” The column, and others like it, is available to read via The American Legion’s Planned Giving program, a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs. Consider naming The American Legion in your will or trust as a part of your personal legacy. Learn more about the process, and the variety of charitable programs you can benefit, at legion.org/plannedgiving. Clicking on “Learn more” will bring up an “E-newsletter” button, where you can sign up for regular information from Planned Giving.