Retirement in the United States has changed forever, and this is something that will affect all retirees who want to begin their retirement process. Don’t worry, your payments are safe, but you will no longer be able to complete your paperwork over the phone, and this change will begin taking effect this April. Again, a phone call will no longer be enough to start your retirement process, not even if you already began it over the phone. In-person identification will now be mandatory. We’re going to explain why this is now a required step and how to proceed with your application.
What has changed?
Here’s a quick summary: you can still call the Social Security Administration (SSA) to start your retirement process, but you will be required to go to an office in person to confirm your identity. This rule will apply to retirees, people receiving survivor or widow benefits, and those getting auxiliary benefits such as spouses or children.
And the most important part is that if you do not complete in-person verification, your application will be paused and you will not receive your monthly check. So make sure to head to your nearest SSA office after your call!
What if I don’t want to go to an office?
There’s still one more option: you can do everything through MySocialSecurity, the official SSA website for managing benefits. But keep in mind that retirement benefits are mainly for older adults, and many of them are not tech-savvy… so this is just building a higher wall and making the process longer and harder for them.
Is anyone exempt from this change?
Yes, beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will not be required to go through this new process.
Why is this change being made now?
In this case, Social Security is taking identity fraud very seriously. That’s why, starting in April, confirming your identity will be required, either in person or through the app. There’s no specific incident behind this; they just want to make sure the benefits are going to the person actually applying for them, and not someone else.
What’s the fastest option?
Without a doubt, the app. Especially if you’re someone who doesn’t have the patience to wait in line. My Social Security was created to save you time at the SSA office. It’s a very complete app where you can handle all kinds of tasks (manage and complete applications, check your status, and more). Plus, the process is fast and secure, SSA promises end-to-end encryption (the highest level of protection online) so your data will never be at risk.
And the best part? If you use the app, your checks arrive much faster.
What does this mean for citizens?
This change isn’t just a technical update, it’s a total transformation that users will need to adapt to. My Social Security is now the new norm, leaving behind more traditional methods like managing benefits by phone.
But this raises a big question: what about our older adults? The world is moving toward technology faster and faster, and we’re forgetting about them right at the final stretch of their lives. For them, this is just another barrier pushing them further away from society, because not everyone knows how to use technology!
And considering this is a federal benefit they’re entitled to, logic tells us these resources should be accessible to everyone, not just to those who are tech-savvy.
This new model will force thousands of people to adapt to technology to receive their monthly checks. It’s essential to have real campaigns and support systems in place to make sure no one gets left behind!
