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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Ali R.
I was able to go up to verification of my identification using State Driver’s License, but the system failed to recognize the jpg pictures of the driver’s license front and back. The other verification method using TELEPHONE number to send code; but the country I am currently living is not on the SSA list. Now I am stuck; can’t log in at all to my SSA account. I will have to talk with SSA and find help.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Ali. 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.
Rosa L.
I’m unable to locate my reentry
#
Jeffrey
I’m an American living in Hong Kong. I’m finding the process very difficult. When I login using ID.me and the authenticator app, it lets me in but says the information I’ve given is different from what it has on file. It does not explain what that is or how to remedy it. And it lets me go no further. I’m trying to enroll in Medicare and I’m stuck. It says I can call the US Embassy in Manila. Even in the prescribed hours I can’t get a human to respond.
S.S.
Hi Jeffrey. 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. Since you are living outside the U.S., you can also follow the instructions on our Service Around the World webpage. We hope this helps.
John P.
this is a complete and utter cluster
Karan
I went through the process to set up LOGIN.gov, now I can login. I get a “Bad Request” message. I tried erasing all my cookies and website history and even tried the “create account”, but I still get the “Bad Request” message.
Patricia A.
Im having a very hard time logging in with this apt .I cannot report wages for my disabled son ita use to be so easier before . Its very fustrating .I understand your trying to make it safer for all of us but imnot as computer savy as most younger people are .
Richard W.
This is far to complicated for the average user
Ken H.
I am unable to log in to the Login.gov site. I enter the correct email and password but the system does not let me in, the page just refreshes. I used to be able to get in without a problem. What is the issue?
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Ken. 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.
Ronald E.
I have had this account since I was 62 and I will be 71 December 2nd. I have both a login.gov and an ID me account, neither of which gets me signed in. Nor can I sign in using my original sign in directly to My Social Security account. Please fix this.
S.S.
Hi Ronald. 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.
Joan
This is simply too hard, and I worked for a tech company for years. I didn’t think I even had a Login.gov account, and it kept insisting I had one.
I had to look at the GSA web site to even see where I might have set one up. Apparently, when you get a TSA pre-check approval, you start a Login.gov account. OK. It didn’t accept my TSA pre-check password, so I had to reset it, and I simply used what I thought was my TSA Pre-check password and it worked. However, when I try to select an authentication method, I keep getting an error message saying the system is too busy or something like that and to try again later. Then I read all the horror stories about the authentication methods not working and I don’t get why this is better. All my banks and credit cards have a much easier two factor authentication process. No idea why this is so hard.
Harry G.
Agent; November1, 2024
I’ve made numerous attempts to access my account through Login.gov. It recognizes my id and password but doesn’t let me in.
I keep receiving “We cannot process your request at this time…”
I follow the steps and requested information, but no success. I’ve called the support number asking for an agent with no result.
Help!
Harry
Debra
Hi Harry, I am having the same exact problem as my ss payment is significantly reduced. No help anywhere until Monday. Sorry you are not alone on this.
Deb
TERRELL L.
IT KEEPS SAYING IT DOESNT RECOGNIZE THE INFORMATION IVE GIVEN THEM. IVE CHECKED THREE TIME TO MAKE SURE ITS CORRECT..
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Harry. 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.