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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Bill F.
I am trying to continue my application and received a message that I need a “re-entry number” that I can get by clicking the “Get Re-entry Number” link found in the “Your Benefit Applications” table.
I can’t find the “Your Benefit Applications” table. I put that phrase into the search field and nothing comes up. I have searched all over my account and can’t find it?
2.
S.S.
Hi Bill. Thank you for reading our blog. If you signed in to your personal my Social Security account when you began your claim, you will be able to save and exit your application after the Re-entry Number screen. You can return to your application by signing in to your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to see your re-entry number, 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. We hope this helps.
Laurel
My email somehow got linked to my husband’s account. We have fixed it on his profile and put his in place of it; however, when I try to log in with my email, it continues to bring up his information. I’ve tried to call SS to get assistance and wait time is 120 minutes – SERIOUSLY?!?!?
Joan
I have the exact same problem! Spent about 2 hours on the phone yesterday with login.gov trying to fix it, and it is still not fixed. Had called ssa.gov number the day before to try to fix this and they said to call login.gov. It’s like a bad joke.
thomas R.
on 9/13 24I was sent a letter that i would receive an activation code BY MAIL within 20 dAYS.
I have not yet received it as of 10/30/24
T.Y.
Hello, Thomas.Thank you for reading our blog. If you are having problems receiving 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.
paul m.
when logging in to login.gov, I receive a code and click sign in and it goes back to the log on screen. then it will not send a code after that
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Paul. 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.
Susan S.
I don’t know what the activation code is to sign on
T.Y.
Hi, Susan. Thank you for reading our blog. 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. 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. We hope this information is helpful.
sharon C.
I’m trying to get a letter verification can’ do it won’t let me login.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Sharon. 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.
Michael C.
I need to change my email and phone number
T.Y.
Hi, Michael. Thank you for reading our blog. For accounts created before September 18, 2021, you can update your contact information in the Security Settings screen of your personal my Social Security account. If you no longer have access to your cell phone number, you may request a reset code online. For all accounts created on or after September 18, 2021, you must contact you must contact Login.gov or ID.me to update your contact information. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts and the ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this helps.
Hillary s.
My email address has changed and telephone number has changed. I cannot receive access code. They system will not allow me to change the telephone or email.
Patrick G.
When I was creating the “my Social Security” I accidentally entered the wrong email address by tapping a letter twice. I entered aazpatrickgb1946@gmail.com, my actual email address is azpatrickgb1946@gmail.com.
I entered the first letter twice. How do I correct this?
T.Y.
Hi, Patrick. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need to change your personal my Social Security account email address, please log in to your personal my Social Security account with your username and password. When prompted for the security code, indicate that you no longer have access to that email. Follow the on-screen instructions and request a reset code, which will be sent by U.S. mail to your verified address. We hope this information helps.
T.Y.
Hello, Hillary. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need to change your personal my Social Security account email address, please log in to your personal my Social Security account with your username and password. When prompted for the security code, indicate that you no longer have access to that email. Follow the on-screen instructions and request a reset code, which will be sent by U.S. mail to your verified address. We hope this information helps.
cassie c.
My email address has changed and telephone number has changed. I cannot receive access code. They system will not allow me to change the telephone or email.
S.S.
Hi Cassie. Thank you for reading our blog. If you did not receive an authentication code, 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. We hope this helps.
Cesar E.
I cannot receive the code I requested. My personal information is correct. They told me at the Helpdesk it is a problem of my provider. I think isn’t because I can receive codes from different Companies as well’
T.Y.
Hello, Cesar. 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. We hope this information helps.