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This page has not been translated. Please go to PBGC.gov's Spanish home page for more information available in Spanish.

Esta página no ha sido traducida. Por favor vaya a la página principal del sitio de español de PBGC para ver información disponible en español.

# Online Transactions: My Pension Benefit Access (MyPBA) FAQs

##             What is MyPBA?          

My Pension Benefit Access, **MyPBA**, is a secure online service that allows you to perform a number of transactions with PBGC. The service is easy, secure, and available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

##             What is login.gov?          

Launched in 2017 by the General Services Administration, Login.gov provides a single sign-on solution for government websites that enables citizens to access public services across different agencies using the same email address and password. Login.gov currently helps millions of people keep their information safe across dozens of web-based government channels.

##             Why is PBGC using login.gov?          

Our partnership with Login.gov allows you to conduct business with us quicker and easier. The Login.gov team created a system that meets the design, performance, and experience you are probably used to when signing in to check your banking or credit card information. We are also using Login.gov to verify your identity and provide you with an extra layer of security to protect your personal information. 

##             What can you do in MyPBA?           

                                        - View 1099-R tax form
                                        - Update contact information
                                        - Request or update direct deposit
                                        - Obtain a letter that verifies PBGC income
                                        - Request a benefit estimate
                                        - Apply for benefits
                                        - View or designate beneficiary
                                        - Set language preference

##             Are PBGC customers required to use MyPBA?          

No, PBGC customers can always interact directly with us by calling PBGC’s Customer Contact Center to address any customer service requests.

##             Can I calculate my pension benefit online?          

No. PBGC understands the importance benefit estimates play in retirement planning. However, calculating pension benefits is an extremely complicated task.

Although the agency does not have an online benefit calculation tool, if you are eligible to begin your PBGC benefit, you can request a benefit estimate online, and your request will receive priority.

##             I already have a Login.gov account – can I use that account for MyPBA?          

Not necessarily. Some PBGC customers already have a Login.gov account they use to participate in the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Program, or to receive other Federal government services.

To keep your personal and financial information safe and secure, MyPBA requires NIST Identity Assurance Level IAL2, which is a higher level of authentication than some other government sites. As a result, you may need to go through the Login.gov identity verification process even if you’ve registered for Login.gov services in the past.

##             What if I don’t have a phone number that has my name associated with the phone plan?          

To verify your address, Login.gov requires users to enter a phone number where they are listed as either the owner or authorized user of the phone plan. 
                                        - What if I’m on a family plan?                                           - You can use a phone number from a family plan if you are the primary account holder. Login.gov will attempt to match the phone number to your other public records.  
                                        - What if my phone plan doesn’t have my current address on it, or has the primary account holder’s address?                                           - You can use a phone number and phone plan that has a different address. Login.gov will attempt to match the phone number to your other public records. 
                                        - What if I have a prepaid account and cell phone                                           - Prepaid phones can be used for identity verification. However, some prepaid phone numbers contain risk factors that might cause you to fail identity verification. 
                                        - Do I need a landline?                                           - You do not need a landline. You can use a cell phone number.  
                                        - Can I use my work phone number?                                            - You can use a work phone number if it is your primary phone number. Login.gov will attempt to match the phone number to your other public records.  
                                        - What if I use a Google voice or similar VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) number?                                           - You cannot use a VOIP number for identity verification at this time. 

If Login.gov cannot verify your address with the entered phone number, you can request to verify your address by mail instead. For more information on how to do this, view our User Guide: “Creating a Login.gov Account to Access MyPBA.”  

##             What if I don’t have access to a mobile phone to complete the registration process?          

If you don’t have access to a mobile phone, you can attempt to create a Login.gov account and verify your identity using a desktop computer and a landline phone. We find that most users have difficulty uploading a photo of their driver’s license when using a desktop computer. For more information on using a desktop computer, see our User Guide: “Creating a Login.gov Account to Access MyPBA.”

##             What if I don’t have a state-issued ID card?          

Only users with a U.S. state-issued ID can verify their identity through Login.gov. Login.gov accepts only the following IDs: 
                                        - Driver’s license from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico).
                                        - A non-driver state-issued ID card.                                           - This is an identity document issued by a state/U.S. territory that identifies you but does not give driving privileges. 

PBGC is working hard to help customers without a U.S. state-issued ID get access to MyPBA. That’s why we’ve created another way to access MyPBA through Login.gov.

Here’s how it works: Start by completing the Login.gov registration process, which includes setting up an email and password for future logins.

Once you arrive at the “Add your state-issued ID” page, please click on the "Get Help at PBGC MyPBA" link. After clicking on the “Get Help at PBGC MyPBA" link, you will be redirected to an alternate page where you can request a MyPBA PIN.

##             What if Login.gov can’t verify my information?          

Occasionally, Login.gov is unable to verify a user’s information. You may see a screen that says, “We could not find records matching your personal information.” This can occur even after you upload a driver’s license, enter a Social Security number, or verify your address.

This issue occurs because Login.gov uses real-time identity-proofing techniques to protect personal information and prevent fraud. The Login.gov verification process relies on available data from government databases, and some people will have conflicting or insufficient data to complete the identity-verification process.

Unfortunately, if you are unsuccessful in getting verified through Login.gov, PBGC won’t be able to help because Login.gov doesn’t tell us why users can’t be verified.

However, we are working hard to help customers without a U.S. state-issued ID get access to MyPBA. That’s why we have created another way to access MyPBA.

If you encounter any issues during the Login.gov registration process, please click on the "Get Help at PBGC MyPBA" link. After clicking on the “Get Help at PBGC MyPBA" link, you will be redirected to an alternate page where you can request a MyPBA PIN.

##             What if I don’t have a U.S.-based phone number?          

If you don't have a U.S.-based phone number, you can still complete the first step of the Login.gov registration process. You'll know you've successfully completed this step when you receive a Login.gov security code either by text message or automated phone call. After this step, Login.gov will ask you to complete the identity verification process. If you encounter any issues during the registration process using Login.gov, please click on the "Get Help at PBGC MyPBA" link. After clicking on the “Get Help at PBGC MyPBA" link, you will be redirected to an alternate page where you can request a MyPBA PIN.

##             How do I clear my cache?          

Sometimes, when users experience problems uploading their ID or completing other steps in the Login.gov identity verification process. clearing the internet browser’s cache (browser history) can help. Please use the suggested actions on the Login.gov Help page to clear your cache.

##             I successfully registered for a Login.gov account, but now I can’t get in to MyPBA.          

When accessing your MyPBA account after the Login.gov verification process, remember to **always use the blue MyPBA button** on the https://www.pbgc.gov/MyPBA page, not the general Login.gov webpage.

After you’ve successfully completed the identity verification process through Login.gov, it can take up to 30 minutes for the account to activate. 

If you’re still having trouble, please contact the PBGC Customer Contact Center.

##             What if I’m still having trouble with Login.gov and MyPBA?          

If you encounter any issues during the registration process using Login.gov, please click on the "Get Help at PBGC MyPBA" link. You may also want to download our Creating a Login.gov Account to Access MyPBA User Guide. We will do our best to help you.

PBGC cannot override or bypass the Login.gov verification steps.

**To help us serve you more efficiently, please have the following information available if you call:**
                                        - Your PBGC Customer ID or your full Social Security number.
                                        - Your pension plan's name or number, which can be found in the upper right corner of correspondence from PBGC.

May 18, 2023