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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Will G.
can I add my deceased spouse info to my login.gov account?
if not, do I need to create a separate account for her? I only have 1 email address
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Will. Please 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.
Ashley W.
I cannot get into my account it’s telling me that I have another account or my social security is not linked to my account but won’t let me in I can’t figure out how to fix anything because I can’t get in
T.Y.
Hello, Ashley. 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.
Queen
I have made many attempts to file for medicare on the online portal. I know my login credentials are correct. However I continuously receive this error message: We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we cannot process your request on online because some information we have on file is different than the information you provided. I reviewed a printed copy of all the information previously submitted on 10/15/24 and there is NO difference. Please Help. I stayed on the phone for 3 hours yesterday awaiting for someone to answer the phone. NO ANSWER!!!
S.S.
Hello Queen. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. The most convenient way to sign up for Medicare is with our online application. Since you are unable to sign up online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. To learn more, read our blog, Sign up for Medicare Part B Online, by Fax or by Mail, and visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
sarah
after waiting 18 minutes to speak to a agent, I was asked for a 9 digit mailbox #. I tried several numbers but then was disconnected. What the heck is a 9 digit mailbox #?.. ——Anyone?—-
Lynn m.
Need activation code
T.Y.
Hello, Lynn. 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.
Kim H.
I am not able to sign in. Get error message: 400 bad request. How do I talk to someone?
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Kim. 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.
Susan M.
I can’t log into my account, why is this so challenging for the average person?
Kathleen
I attempted to use the login code sent to me. It was incorrect in spite of it being the one sent via text. This happened 2 days ago as well. I need to change my state of residency. Please help! So tired of wasting my time.
S.S.
Hi Kathleen. 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.
T.Y.
Hello, Susan. 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.
Jane
Your site is not helpful. Your “help” is not helpful.
Edward W.
Just spent 1 hour 5 minutes on the phone with SS main # trying to find out why I wasn’t able to sign-in using my LOGIN.GOV account I can’t connect with SS for me to submit my Account Activation Code received from SS by mail. After being put on-hold so agent could do something for me, phone call was suddenly terminated. Accomplished nothing after all. Nor was there a call back to re-connect and continue with resolving the problems/issues with getting the new login system to work for me.
Bob H.
It appears that I had too many logon attempts with the wrong password. My password is writing down and I have used it in the past. Now I’m locked out.
I attempted to logon with Id.me but the instructions are so confusion it’s impossible to navigate.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Bob. 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.