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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durelle
Trying to login but i continuously receive an error message that the login information is different than the information on file. I do not know what the error is. Please advise as I need to login and complete the medicare application asap.
T.Y.
Hello, Durelle. 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.
Iris D.
I need new backup codes to login to my accounts please
T.Y.
Hello, Iris. Thank you for reading our blog. 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 information helps.
Anne M.
This cite is the worst I ever had to use. Your asked to sign in, so I do and I end up going in circles. (Back to where I started from) The email address is correct and so is the password. I remember I had these same problems last year. That being the case I will now take all correspondence the old fashion way..MAIL IT TO ME.
Heidi L.
For over a week I have not been able to get into my account. I already switched to login.gov. I do not know what is wrong. Could you please get back with me and let me know if their is something going on with my account. Thank you very much. Heidi-lee Ryan
T.Y.
Hi, Heidi. 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. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts. We hope this helps.
Wanda E.
I have been trying to log into my account but I am not able to. I get an access code, and then I am asked for another one I did not get. I keep getting kicked back to the beginning. This is not working since you have changed the old accounts!
T.Y.
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.
Jim L.
how can i do anything with my account i don’t have any information to get to it..created maybe 8-10 years ago
T.Y.
Hi, Jim. Thank you for reading our blog. We offer different ways to reset your password. 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.
Pam K.
I called because I cannot sign on to my SS account. It is saying it does not recognize me. I called had to listen to a 15-minute lecture and then was told it would be over 200 minutes to wait and did I want someone to call me back. I did that and no one called me back. Today I am going through the same thing, but I am holding this time. I need technical support. How do I get that online?
Geraldine F.
will not accept activation code – tried numerous times- SSA person tried and they said something was wrong with activation code process and to call Login.Gov- that phone number said if I had trouble with activation code to call SSA. Now what??
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Geraldine. We are sorry you are having trouble with your activation code. 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 still 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.
karen o.
having trouble changing keeps saying my password is wrong . watched video and not my page when i go to change very fusterting (SP) can’t find the page that they use
T.Y.
Hello, Karen. 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. 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.
Michael p.
I tried to sign in and it said my password was incorrect which I write all my passwords down and I know for a fact that it is the correct password. I changed it and then the stupid site made me recreate my account and delete my old one!! NOW ITS SAYING I ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH THAT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!!!! how dare you send me an email telling me I have a deadline to respond on your site when your site has so many issues!?! Get this fixed then contact people about deadlines!