I was notified today that the website mysocialsecurity dot gov is transitioning from their own login credentials to using login dot gov credentials. So I set up login dot gov login credentials for myself. For my security options I chose an authentication app on my PC as my primary, and SMS messaging to my phone as the fallback (there were three other options, which I now don’t remember, but I was not familiar with any of them). After setting it up, I tested it and it works for me.
I also have to set one up for my husband, who doesn’t have his own email address (he is completely non-computer connected). He does have a flip phone which can receive text messages, so that’s something. I think I set up a dummy email account for him that I guess I can use for his authentication app.
I picked OTP Manager (from the two they suggested) as my authentication app, and I installed it on my PC rather than on my phone, because I am less likely to replace my computer than my phone.
Can I use the same authentication app for another (i.e. my husband’s) account? It seems like it is now tied only to me, when I start it up it just keeps giving me authentication numbers tied to my email address.
Is there anything else I should know about all this? This is my first use of a general authentication app, and I really don’t know what I’m doing. I’m afraid of getting one or both of us locked out of the thing and having to deal with the bureaucracy over the phone (shudder). Is there “authentication for dummies FAQ” out there somewhere?
Login dot gov works great. I use it for several federal agencies.
Login dot gov is designed around the idea that one login userid & password / 2FA / etc., represents exactly one real live person. Not zero, and not two.
Even under the old SSA login system (which I used to have too) it is against the law to access the SSA website as another person, even with their permission. So you using spouse’s creds was, is, and will continue to be a violation of federal law. With that in mind, good bet you’re not going to be able to set up your login dot gov account to access both your and their SSA accounts.
I don’t understand this. What if I were disabled and had hired a fiduciary to take care of my affairs. Or was judged incompetent and had a fiduciary assigned to me? This person would not be allowed to log into my SSA account? Or does SSA have some way to accommodate this situation, outside of having the person log in “pretending” to be me?
I agree! It was quick and painless to begin receiving my social security benefits, despite not knowing the date of my first marriage. I didn’t know my ex-wife’s exact age, nor any contact information. Despite my lack of personal details, everything worked!
You had to look at a page full of text and click “I agree I’m not impersonating somebody” every single time you ever logged on to SSA. I’m kinda surprised you’re just now hearing about this.
As to fiduciary, etc., SSA has a procedure for that. Forms and approvals and all sorts of stuff to prove in advance to their satisfaction that Person B can act on Person A’s behalf. How exactly Person B would do that once they’re approved I do not know. But just giving Person A’s login credentials to Person B and telling them to pretend to be A is flat illegal.
IMO there’s a tremendous difference between the boilerplate BS at some corporation and at the government. The people with guns and jails and things.
There are very different penalties under teh law for “misusing” your bank’s website by logging on as your spouse, and “misusing” some government website by logging on as your spouse.
It behooves one to know these things in general so one knows when paying attention in specific might be warranted.
I have to say I agree with @LSLGuy (and this is coming from someone who has, several times now, had to sit low income or even homeless people down and try to explain to them how to create a login for themselves, even though it would be infinitely easier to just do it for them as their attorney).
Your personal my Social Security account is for your use only.
We are committed to protecting the information and resources entrusted to us, including your personal information and investment. For your protection, you’re the only one who can create your personal my Social Security account for your own exclusive use. No one can create or use an account on your behalf, even with your written or verbal permission. Do not allow anyone else to use your account under any circumstances. Unauthorized use of this service is a misrepresentation of your identity to the federal government and could subject you to criminal or civil penalties, or both.
Now, is it really a crime if you have your husband’s consent? Honestly, IDK, I am not that kind of attorney, and I am certainly not your attorney. But the safe thing to do is have your husband do it. I strongly suspect he can be trained.