How Social Security cards will soon change to digital
Story by Diego Pérez Morales, MiBosilloComombia, 5/16/25
The Social Security Administration (SSA) of the United States has announced a groundbreaking change: the ability to access Social Security Numbers (SSN) digitally through mobile devices. This marks a significant shift for millions who rely on this crucial document for benefits, identity verification, and various transactions. The digital Social Security card offers a modern alternative to the traditional physical card, allowing users to securely and quickly access their SSN via the my Social Security portal, eliminating the need to carry the physical card at all times.
According to the SSA’s official statement, this technological update aims to simplify information access and reduce the risks of loss, theft, or damage to the card. It is particularly beneficial for those who have forgotten their number or misplaced their card. The digital access to the Social Security Number is expected to be available by early summer 2025, as confirmed by the SSA. Although a specific date has not been announced, the feature will be accessible to all users with an active account on the my Social Security portal.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize the system, enhance efficiency, and provide greater convenience to citizens while strengthening the security of personal data. To use the digital Social Security card, individuals must have an active account on the official my Social Security portal, be the holder of a valid Social Security Number, and have access to a mobile device or computer with internet connectivity.
The system will allow users to view their number digitally when needed, without the necessity of carrying the physical document. While the SSA has not publicly detailed the technical security measures of this new feature, it has assured that the digital card will be protected by mechanisms ensuring secure and private access for each user through their personal account.
Additionally, the agency continues to remind users not to carry the physical card daily, as it increases the risk of identity theft.
“The best way to secure your card is to keep it in a safe place and only share your number when absolutely necessary,”
the SSA advised. Since its inception in 1936, the Social Security card has undergone 36 different versions, the latest in 2022. The introduction of digital access represents a significant step towards the complete modernization of the Social Security system in the United States, making life easier for users and reducing the risks associated with the physical document.