The Social Security Administration is relaxing a recent security directive requiring beneficiaries to use two-factor authentication to log into personal accounts after complaints that the new restrictions hindered user access.
The agency had established a policy of requiring My Social Security account holders to confirm their identities via a text-enabled mobile device. The move was in keeping with an executive order on improving security in consumer financial transactions. The policy, announced July 30, met with complaints from users. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) complained to SSA Commissioner Carolyn Colvin that the policy could limit account access by beneficiaries.
