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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S L.
I have attempted to log in for 2 days to complete my social security application and it does not bring me back to the screen to complete my application.
T.Y.
Hi, S. Lang. Thank you for reading our blog. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your account. You can call our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “How can I help you today?” please say “Help Desk” for help to access my Social Security account. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
B. D.
I am trying to use ID.me to access SSA to check my status from outside of the US and it is not working. This is very unfortunate because I am sure I am not the only US citizen living for a prolonged time abroad. Can you please balance cybersecurity needs with functionality. Especially in the light that I am trying to use ID.me which is an advanced login tool. Thank you.
T.Y.
Hello, B. Debic. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need help with transitioning your account, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this helps.
Angela T.
I can not log in to my mu social security account. This is for sure an inconvenience for me.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Angela. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your account. You can call our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “How can I help you today?” please say “Help Desk” for help to access my Social Security account. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Tiffany E.
How do I recover my old.login.gov and ss account
T.Y.
Hello, Tiffany. Thank you for reading our blog. You can call our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “How can I help you today?” please say “Help Desk” for help to access my Social Security account. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts. We hope this helps.
Sylvia M.
I transitioned to login.gov 3 days ago and started a disability application and now I can’t get back in to finish it. I click on login.gov and fill in my UN and PW , I get my authentication code and enter it and then it kicks me back to login.gov !!! after doing this for the last hour, I got a message to try again later. WTF
Francisco M.
This is a Joke! You changed the system and now I ca not log in.
Judith S.
Are ss statements being emailed toindividuals?
T.Y.
Thanks for reading our blog, Judith. We only mail paper Social Security Statements to workers who are 60 years or older if they do not receive Social Security benefits or have not created a personal my Social Security account. Workers should receive their Statements in the mail about 3 months before their birthday. You can still get your Statement online regardless of your age by creating a personal my Social Security account. You can also review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits and check your earnings record. We hope this helps.
Bennett A.
I am able to log into my account but then is says it is sending a code to my email. I have been trying for the last 30 minutes and no code has come. Have tried multiple times but no code has been sent to my email.
T.Y.
Hello, Bennett. If you create a new Login.gov credential, you will need an activation code to finish transitioning your personal my Social Security account. You only have to do this part once. You are given the option to receive your activation code by mail, text message, or automated phone call. In some cases, we must mail you an activation code because we are unable to verify your phone number. You should receive your activation code in the mail within 10 days. The activation code is valid for 30 days. If you do not activate your account within 30 days, you must request a new activation code. If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.
Kathleen A.
I can’t log into my account because I need to update my account to my new phone number to get my verification code, how do I do this?
T.Y.
Hi, Kathleen. Thank you for reading our blog. If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.
Laura S.
The old system really worked! Why change the system if it wasn’t broken! Now I can’t get into anything, changed my password and followed the instructions only to be constantly denied access! Insane!