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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virgil f.
it tells me my email address is in use by another account.
maria t.
I can not loggin on my account.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Maria. 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.
Cherie
can a husband and wife who SHARE an email use the same email to create their new log in that is being required. They seem to be having an issue and it won’t let both use the same email.
S.S.
Hello, Cherie. Thanks for reading our blog. Each person must set up their own Login.gov account with their own personal email address – not an email that you share with someone else. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
yulyssa
there is an interruptor and hacer in my id account that put there email accsess to recibe all my information and make interruptor Decisions.
STEPHEN T.
HOW DO I CHANGE THE BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER THAT SOCIAL SECURITY SENDS PAYMENTS TO?
S.S.
Hi, Stephen. Thanks for reading our blog. If you’re receiving Social Security benefits, you can change your direct deposit information online with your personal my Social Security account. If you’re getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI), contact your local Social Security office to update your bank account information. To learn more, check out Direct Deposit Information. We hope this helps.
Tamsen J.
When I enter the code that I received via text from Social Security, I get a message that says the code I entered is different than the code I received. I am therefore unable to log into my account. How can I resolve this problem.
S.S.
Hi Tamsen. Thank you for reading our blog. 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.
Cynthia
I initially had two different Login.gov accounts linked to two different email addresses to set up different functions; one account was for Global Entry and one was for Social Security. After receiving Global Entry privileges, I deleted that account and linked the other account successfully to Social Security. Now I cannot log into Social Security via the Login.gov portal even though it says SS is a linked account. Can you please advise me on how to correct this malfunction? I can also call during weekday office hours to get help but It’s Sunday and I had time to investigate what does and doesn’t work today. Thank you very much for your attention.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Cynthia. 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 R.
I can’t log in because you won’t send an activation code.
S.S.
Hi Michael. 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.
Christina M.
Same here what am I supposed to do I called SSA and they were no help at all saying “there is no code” doesn’t give you the option to resend it either
Michael D.
I have a Login..gov account but after entering one-time code at first promt, the second part asks for my ssn and the same code, which continuously fails with message : Incorrect code. please help me to resolve this frustrating issue.
S.S.
Hi Michael. Thank you for reading our blog. 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.
Leonardo M.
I’ve tried accessing my account but your website displays an error message asking me to try again during operating hours. Why would trying to log into a user online portal require it be done during operating hours? Very poor design of a self service portal.