As the world at large continues its shift into digitization, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will also be taking another step in this direction this summer.
Social Security cardholders will soon have the option to access their Social Security Number, or SSN, digitally according to an announcement from the SSA. The agency is going to roll out secure digital SSN cards that beneficiaries can access through their my Social Security account online.
The Social Security Card goes digital
By detouring away from the traditional paper cards and adding a digitized SSN card option, millions of Americans will now be able to enjoy increased convenience and security when accessing their SSNs.
“It’s a long overdue update. For years, many Americans have been asking for a digital update to physical forms of ID, as it’s vastly easier to keep track of and utilize. Obviously, the primary concern from a government-level was maintaining the security of the card to ensure data was protected. The new virtual access can be used to verify Social Security information in any situation so that individuals don’t have to find their physical card or send off for a new one,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, said to Newsweek.
Officials at the SSA have shared that this digitization will reduce the need to visit a field office, as well as lessen the reliance on mailed replacement cards as both of these processes tend to be time consuming. There is also the added sense of security that comes with a digital SSN. Beneficiaries can now access their SSN securely and with ease when needed, especially now, during these times of heightened risks of fraud or identity theft.
The former Acting Commissioner of the SSA, Leland Dudek said that this new feature “is part of a broader effort to provide better service to the public while ensuring that their personal information remains secure.”
How does it work?
Any individual with a my Social Security account will have the new feature available to them. The account can be accessed through the SSA portal, and once logged on, the beneficiary’s Social Security Number will be displayed on screen, securely.
The SSA has introduced this option to access your SSN digitally mainly to aid those who have forgotten their SSN or lost their paper card. As such, it is important to note that the digital SSN cannot replace the need for the paper card in all situations. It is merely an extra method of accessing the SSN when proof of identity is needed such as in the case of financial transactions or a job application. This also means that the digital SSN cannot be considered a digital ID or a government issued credential.
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, said to Newsweek, “The move from physical cards to digital versions is a much-needed step forward for the SSA. It’s about time we caught up with the digital age. That said, if you still prefer a physical copy, you can absolutely get one. The digital version is just an added layer of convenience.”
Early summer of 2025 has been scheduled for the rollout of this new feature, as per the SSA’s press release. The agency will monitor the rollout as it progresses so as to make any necessary adjustments to usability and accessibility which will aid the older cohort of users who might not be as tech savvy as the newer generations. The SSA hopes to have the rollout reach all SSA field offices and card centers across the country by the end of summer, as per the SSA press release.
“This is for the Gen X’ers mainly; those that have fully embraced the digital age and the very young boomers that can handle this transition,” Thompson added.