The Thrift Savings Plan has announced that starting in October, 2007, they will no longer use Social Security Numbers as their primary source of identification for communications. These changes will include using new ID procedures for their website, their telephone service, ThriftLine, and for written communications. This change is designed to increase member security and follows a recent change to the TSP login procedure.
The new system will assign each member a TSP identification number which will be used in conjunction with your password or PIN for logging in to the TSP website or calling the ThriftLine. TSP will send out these new numbers in September, and the system will go live in October. The new number will also be used for all written communication and on official TSP documents. SSNs will still be used for tracking contributions from your respective service or agency, and for reporting disbursements to the IRS.
While tracking yet another ID number and more complex password system is a hassle, I really don’t mind… as long as security is increased and the likelihood of ID theft is minimalized. Kudos to the TSP for being proactive in this regard.
This information came from an official letter mailed to TSP members, and as of yet, I have not seen this on the official TSP website. Check your mailbox for your letter, or if you have recently moved, go to the TSP website to update your change of address. You don’t want to be locked out of your account when these changes take effect.
