Beyer Protests New Need for Texting to Access Social Security Online

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Retirees who want to check on their Social Security information online have a new hurdle to jump as of this week and Northern Virginia Congressman Don Beyer has registered his constituents' frustration in a letter to the Social Security Administration.

Anyone who wants to check on their Social Security information online now must have a text-enabled cell phone; Social Security made the change, which started July 30, to add an extra layer of security, but the change has caused an uproar because some people don't have or want to use text-enabled cell phones.

A Pew Research study in 2014 noted that only 18 percent of people age 65 and older own a smart phone, although 77 percent have a cell phone of some kind, according to the report.

Receipients are sounding off on the new security requirement on the Social Security Facebook page, with some saying they live overseas and don't use an American phone service or live in rural areas, where cell phone service is spotty.

Facebook user Jay White said: "Another seemingly good idea with unintended consequences. For people trying to live on a Social Security check alone, having to buy a cell phone and data plan is an expense they probably can't afford. And past a certain age, cell phone screens and virtual keyboards are basically unusable. Please rethink this policy - what little added security is gained is not worth essentially locking thousands of people out of their accounts. "

Beyer, who represents Alexandria and other parts of Northern Virginia, says there are other ways Social Security can secure account information and that requiring seniors and others to have a text-enabled cell phone to access their information is too big a burden.

He said "they deserve the convenience of checking their earnings and benefits online" without having to worry about paying for a text-enabled cell phone.

PHOTOS: Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th), official congressional photo; Social Security Administration seal