The Social Security Administration (SSA) unveiled a redesigned Social Security Statement aimed at enhancing clarity and usability for beneficiaries. This update introduces several significant changes from the previous format, and understanding these differences is crucial for effectively managing your Social Security benefits.
What’s New in the Redesigned Social Security Statement
New isn’t always better, but the revamped Social Security Statement is more concise, reducing from four pages to two, and incorporates visual elements to better convey information. It is interactive and clear.
Key enhancements include:
- Personalized Benefit Estimates: A color-coded bar graph displays estimated monthly retirement benefits at nine different ages, from 62 to 70, allowing individuals to visualize how delaying benefits can increase monthly payments.
- Simplified Earnings Record: The earnings history is presented in a single-column format, making it easier to review and verify for accuracy.
- Tailored Fact Sheets: Accompanying the statement are fact sheets customized to the individual’s age group and earnings history, providing relevant information about Social Security programs and benefits.
New Logins Now Required to Access Your Social Security Statement
If you had an online Social Security account, you must now transition to a login.gov account in order to access the redesigned Social Security Statement. This transition to Login.gov is part of the SSA’s efforts to streamline access to services and improve account security.
Unlike many bogus Social Security emails, this is not a scam. The SSA issued a press release saying: “Customers who created an online account (e.g., my Social Security account) before September 18, 2021, will soon be required to transition to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services,” the SSA says in a statement. “The agency is making the changes to simplify the sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to online services.”
Transitioning from a Social Security account to a login.gov account
Despite being a government site, the transition from a Social Security account to a login.gov account was painless and a number of different multi-factor authentication methods were available.
Don’t have an account, here is how you get started
- Visit ssa.gov/myaccount to create a “my Social Security” account.
- You will be directed to set up a Login.gov account during the process.
- Ensure you have a valid email address and personal information ready for verification.
Here is a video to help you set up your account
Why is a login.gov Account Useful?
Like it or not, a Login.gov account is useful because it provides a secure, streamlined way to access multiple government services with a single username and password.
Here’s why it matters:
One account, many services
Like it or not, if you want to access critical information, you are going to need this account. From my Social Security to certain Department of Homeland Security services, USAJOBS, SBA loans, and more, you now must log in using Login.gov. It’s becoming the default way the federal government manages secure sign-ins.
Stronger security
It can be hard to trust the government for a variety of reasons, but login.gov uses multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds a second layer of protection to keep your personal information safe from identity theft and fraud. This is especially important when managing sensitive data like financial records or benefit applications.
Unified identity verification
Some services require identity verification (like the SSA or IRS), and Login.gov helps standardize this process across platforms. Once verified, you won’t need to repeat the same steps for each new agency.
In 2025, the SSA announced plans to close or consolidate several field offices across the United States as part of a broader initiative to reduce costs and enhance efficiency . This shift has raised concerns about accessibility, particularly for seniors and individuals in rural areas who rely on in-person services. To mitigate these challenges, the SSA has emphasized the use of digital platforms like Login.gov, which allows users to securely access their Social Security accounts, apply for benefits, and manage personal information online.
How to Know When to Start Social Security?
Deciding when to start Social Security is one of the most important—and personal—retirement choices you’ll make. Claiming early (as soon as age 62) reduces your monthly benefit but may help you preserve savings in the short term, while delaying benefits increases your monthly income for life.
The best decision depends on your unique financial picture, health outlook, income needs, and goals. The Boldin Retirement Planner makes this decision easier by letting you model multiple claiming scenarios side by side. You can instantly see how starting at any age between 62 and 70 affects your overall retirement plan, taxes, investment drawdowns, and long-term financial security—so you’re not guessing, you’re planning with data and confidence.
Modeling Social Security in the Boldin Planner
First, you need to know your and your spouse’s benefits at full retirement age. So, the new Social Security statement is useful to you! Once you know your benefits, you can log into the Boldin Planner and:
- Navigate to My Plan > Income > Social Security
- Use the pencil icon ✎ to edit. If you plan on receiving benefits, press “Yes” when asked if you expect to receive Social Security benefits
- Enter your benefit at full retirement age
- Select the age when you wish to claim your Social Security benefit. Your Benefit at Start Age (Pretax) will adjust, increasing if you delay past your Full Retirement Age and decreasing if you claim early.
- Repeat the process for your spouse’s benefit (if applicable)
- Run scenarios with different claiming ages to assess the impact on your financial wellness
- Note that the model will automatically switch to the higher earner’s benefits upon the longevity age of the spouse who is forecast to die first
