Jim Rossman: New policies at Social Security aim to keep you safer

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If you are of a certain age, you pay pretty close attention to any news about our Social Security system.

There have been a lot of headlines lately about fewer employees available to help on the phone and in person, but this latest news has to do with verifying your identity and strengthening the process to prove your identity.

According to the Social Security website, the change is to strengthen the security of your direct deposits. Nobody wants their direct deposits to get hijacked.

First thing to know, if you are currently receiving Social Security benefits via direct deposit, and you don’t need to make any changes, you don’t have to do anything. Those deposits should continue as usual.

If you need to make changes to your bank account number or change banks, the process to update your direct deposit information is going to change.

The website says the easiest and most secure way is online via your “my Social Security” account. If for some reason you can’t access your account online, you will need to physically visit a Social Security office and prove your identity in person.

Also, if you receive your Social Security benefit by paper check, you’ll have to visit a Social Security office if you want to change your mailing address.

Again, the preferred method of dealing with Social Security is to create a “my Social Security” account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

To get an account created, you’ll need to create a Login.gov or ID.me account. You can see both of those options on the website when you visit.

If you created your account before 2021, your old Social Security online account should also work.

The Login.gov or ID.me accounts both use two-factor authentication, which means you’ll need to have a cell phone for a texted message or phone call to get a one-time code that you’ll need to enter in the login screen. You can also use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Duo, a physical security key or a government employee ID to create an account and get logged in.

If you’ve never set up one of these accounts, now would be a good time to give it a try.