How to Transition Your Social Security Account to Login.gov
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: August 23, 2024
If you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to transition to a new or existing Login.gov account or use an ID.me account to have continuous access to our online services. We recently announced this news in a press release.
For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch this video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov.
Beginning June 1, 2024, people who sign in to their personal my Social Security account with their username are given the option to transition to Login.gov. This blog provides additional information and guidance to help you with problems you may encounter. We’re also going to provide answers to some of the questions we’ve heard.
Who does this affect?
If you created your free and secure my Social Security account on or after September 18, 2021, no action is necessary because you already have the right setup. If you are among the 46 million people who created an account before September 18, 2021 and use your username and password to access Social Security online services today, you will need to create or use an existing account with one of our two Credential Service Providers (CSP) – Login.gov or ID.me.
Is there a deadline?
While you can still use a username and password to sign in to your personal my Social Security account right now, this option is going away later this year. At that time, you will be required to have a Login.gov or ID.me account if you want to continue to access your personal my Social Security and our many other convenient online services.
A personal my Social Security account provides tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, and manage the benefits you already receive. To learn more, visit What is an Account?
Why are you making this change?
This change will simplify your sign-in experience and better align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to our online services.
What do I need to do?
To avoid any disruptions in accessing our online services we encourage you to transition your account now by signing in to your account with your username and password. Our online instructions will guide you through the process of creating or signing in to an existing Login.gov account.
Information about Login.gov and ID.me
Login.gov is your one government account for simple, secure, and private access to participating government agencies. You can use your Login.gov account to access your Social Security benefit information, services, and other information. And you can use that same Login.gov account to manage other government benefits and services. For support, visit the Login.gov Help Center.
ID.me is a single sign-on provider that also meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements. You can use one ID.me account to access government and private services. For support – Go to the ID.me Help Center.
For more information, visit our Create an Account page.
Please share this information with friends and family, clients and colleagues, and others who may need it.
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Michael B.
My email and code works but I cannot get the right auth code.
I am coping the code as soon as I get it but it says it is not correct.
Jacqueline L.
I gave my social security out by mixtake
Jacqueline L.
Someone told me I had to give them my soc sec # fix a problem in my computer. I told them I could not, but they continued to tell me that it was OK. Then I realized that I had been scammed.
Glade S.
i am trying to sign up for spousal equity in my social security in payments.
Sonya c.
This is the stupid stuff people need offices
Ken R.
My spouse and I share the same Email address. The original Social Security sign in procedure was based on Usernames and Passwords! Login.gov does not allow two accounts (with different usernames and passwords and therefore, two different people.) I can only surmise that everyone involved in creating and (especially) approving Login.gov is either single, divorced, or against marriage. That is a problem. Proxy Email addresses is not a true solution – it is nothing more than an after-the-fact excuse for bad, amateurish, programming. Social Security needs to consult with the thousands of American companies that successfully have figured out how to “solve” the multiple users of one Email address. Not a big strain on most brains. QUESTION: When is Social Security going to figure it and avoid placing an unnecessary burden on 46 million Americans?
Ingrid
Like Michael R., I don’t have an activation code so can’t log in to Login.gov. No callbacks either (have waited over 2.5 hours today).
virgil f.
i get error message
“You already have an existing Social Security online account linked to another email address.
Please exit and sign in with the email address used during your account registration. If you don’t remember your registered email address or believe this is an error, please contact us.”
Phyllis S.
I did change from old way of signing in to my SS account to Login.gov last year. Now I have tried several times to login in there on different days without any success. I even changed my password and got the one time code on my cell to get in but it always just brings me back to the login again. I have tried two times again today but know not to do it again today. Is there a human who can help me correct this?
Matthew
I get the same thing over and over and over for a year now. I’ve received no responses to my requests for help, but of course I was notified they were closing my application due to me not providing enough information. I have documented my entire journey with this headache, including days and days of literally dozens of calls per day, and nothing but telling me I’m screwed. I am now looking at losing a place to live, jail time, and cannot afford my mental health care anymore, which was the entire reason I was told to apply. I still have not been cleared to return to work, and honestly I am in worse place now because of this than I was before. Major fixes need to happen with this “service”. Bureaucracy at its finest. But we’re the ones getting the short end of this thorned stick.