By Kirk Larson
Social Security Western Washington Public Affairs Specialist
Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is expanding the online services available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov. Social Security beneficiaries are now able to quickly and easily obtain a replacement SSA-1099 from the agency’s website with a my Social Security account.
“I am proud of our continued efforts to make it even easier for people to do business with us in a way that’s convenient for them, from the comfort of their home, office, or a library,” Acting Commissioner Colvin said. “Beginning this tax season, any my Social Security account holder who misplaces their original SSA-1099 will be able to request an instant replacement from our menu of online services.”
Social Security sends SSA-1099s each January to everyone who receives Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits paid in the previous year and is used for tax purposes. Previously, people who lost their SSA-1099 had to call or visit a Social Security office to get a replacement or request one be mailed to them. With this new online service, people now only need to create a my Social Security account, or log into their existing one. Once there, they can view and print their SSA-1099 or request to have a new one mailed to them—all online.
my Social Security is a secure, online account people use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. Once the account is created, it is used by people who are working to keep track of their earnings and to get estimates of future benefits. People already receiving benefits manage them with their account—changing their address, starting or changing direct deposit, getting a benefit verification letter, and more. In addition to those existing services, beneficiaries will now be able to immediately get their SSA-1099 replaced without needing to call or visit an office and often wait for a replacement form in the mail.
“Setting up a my Social Security account is quick, easy, and secure; plus it’s a great way to do business with Social Security,” Acting Commissioner Colvin said. “That’s why more than 16 million people have already taken advantage of our award-winning online services and experienced the new features available with their own accounts.”
In fact, a new my Social Security account is created every six seconds. For more information, please go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Kirk Larson is a Social Security Administration Public Affairs representative located in Seattle and serving Western Washington.
