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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Teresa F.
I also have problems with signing in with the login.gov since I do not have a cell phone nor landline as I use Magic Jack which is like a computer phone, I had to download backup codes for authentication and when I used the last one I did not know how to obtain more so I had to delete my account and create a new one so I could download 10 more back up codes. Why can’t I use my email address for an authentication method? or maybe you could add information on “How to download more back up codes”?
Michael S.
Why am I having so much trouble signing in?!
Jacqueline G.
Could not transition to the new sign-in process. The system did not recognize my email and had to recreate an account. Now I have to wait 10 to 15 days for an authentication letter. Is that the usual process?
Phillip H.
I didn’t receive my social security check for this month
John A.
Really bad design. Nowhere to put in username and password, is this really happening?
Michael M.
I got a text message from you telling me I had a message in my account. I tried to log in using mu ID.me account, which I’ve used before, told my data is wrong. I tried to log in using my user name/password, which I’ve used for years, told my data is wrong. I tried to change my password and entered my information, told my data is wrong. I have to give you credit, you’ve made my account unassailable by me. The only people who can get in will be hackers. ID.me has some garbage about video conferencing. I don’t have it. They have some nonsense about phone conferencing. It won’t take my phone number. What the hell are you people doing?? The politicians have screwed up Social Security more than well enough, they don’t need your help. Kindly fix this bureaucratic incompetence. I hope the information waiting for me isn’t of consequence, because thanks to you and ID.me, I can’t get to it!
Michael M.
Also tried to login at 10:28pm on Saturday and they closed the site down before they should have at 11pm because they are lazy… this has happened time after time when I have tried to login…….. I have the screenshots to prove it… someone needs to correct this and contact me…….
Bob A.
I agree with all of the above/ Your text notification looks like a spearfish attack since sending links in text is THE WORST POSSIBLE RISK. Then it appears you chose to do this a half an hour before your website is scheduled top go offline, and like Michael mentions in the below feedback your Federal website goes OFFLINE at least 40 Minutes before the posted closing time. COULD YOU POSSIBLY REMAIN OPERATIONAL DURING POSTED HOURS? Actually, you should be operational 24/7 like the rest of the internet manages to do successfully.
Lisa K.
I have NEVER been able to sign into my account. I have changer password, gotten several activation codes from you and not a single one works!! This is so frustrating when the only other option is to wait for over an hour on the phone.
Michael M.
Also tried to login at 10:28pm on Saturday and they closed the site down before they should have at 11pm because they are lazy… this has happened time after time when I have tried to login…….. I have the screenshots to prove it… someone needs to correct this and contact me…….
Mona E.
I understand! I have been going through the same thing! It’s so frustrating to use their online portal. 🙁
Carol A.
Are you kidding? I can’t figure this out. I have been trying for over an hour. I never ever go on my social security account. Is this really necessary?
Michael M.
Also tried to login at 10:28pm on Saturday and they closed the site down before they should have at 11pm because they are lazy… this has happened time after time when I have tried to login…….. I have the screenshots to prove it… someone needs to correct this and contact me…….
Phillip H.
I did not receive my check for this month
thomas v.
tried to access my account. you sent a message to my email then said it wasn’t the email of record.
Michael M.
Also tried to login at 10:28pm on Saturday and they closed the site down before they should have at 11pm because they are lazy… this has happened time after time when I have tried to login…….. I have the screenshots to prove it… someone needs to correct this and contact me…….
Sandra L.
I can’t get into my account after multiple tries. The phone number I called says a wait time of hours. This is very frustrating. I’m at a loss.
Mary F.
I need to log into my account
Dean S.
I have had a SSA on line account for the past 5 years or so, used normal sign in until it changed to Govt. log in, that was fine until a few weeks ago when I changed my phone number.
I had to delete my Govt. log in and remake a new one because I could not get a code to my old number. SO I deleted it and made a new login as suggested.
Now I can’t log in at all and it just keeps sending me back to the personal info page to fill out which I have done 3 times now and still the same message; you already have an account, please sign in with GOvt log in… and I try to, but it says I have not linked it yet???? Why the ridicules run around with no results and I still can’t login to my SSA account. How to fix this??? PLEASE ADVISE!