Dear Rusty: I recently heard the tail end of a radio program which was discussing “signing up for my Social Security account.” I am now 76 years old and have been receiving my SSA monthly amount directly into a credit union account for years. Since the time when I applied to begin receiving Social Security, I have had no need to contact SSA again since everything is working fine. I do not like having to use the Internet. It seems the government is just giving me busy work and requiring me to remember usernames, passwords, etc. just when I am trying desperately to simplify my life. Can you shed any light on the need to sign up for an online SSA account by answering this: 1) What is the background regarding this “call” by the SSA to create an online account?
2) Why is the SSA wanting us to have “accounts”? Mysteriously, no one I have asked is able to give me a reason why we should have “accounts” on-line.
3) What happens if I do not sign-up for an “account”?
