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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Linda G.
I have tried calling 1-800-772-1213repeatedly calling and saying “help desk” at the prompt. Told not understood. NO HELP!! Need activation code.
Linda G.
I created a new LOGIN.GOV account. Tried to access my social security account using LOGIN.GOV. Was told “we cannot process your request at this time”. Tried multiple times to access, no luck. Never received an activation code. Emailed twice, no response. How do I get an activation code?????
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog Linda. If you need help with transitioning your account, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-078). 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. 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.
Jeffrey V.
Why am I getting the message “Social Security Online Service Not Available” when trying to login to my Social Security Account using login.gov? When will the online service be restored?
Michele S.
I can’t log into the web page at all. I have tried on my lap too and it takes me to a hub page and it is blank and doesn’t go any further.
So I tried it on my phone and it did the same thing.
Prior to today and today it would loop right back to the sign in page.
Rhodonna B.
I will be 89 in March. I know absolutely nothing about anything in this email, and know less about how to navigate with SS on the internet. I have no choice, all I can do is trust that what SS is doing is right. It’s just not right, putting seniors at such a disadvantage.
Thank you.
Janet W.
The activication code that was saved is not allowing me to sign in.
S.S.
Hi Janet. Thank you for reading our blog. If your authentication code is not working, 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.
Judy D.
Every time I’ve tried to change over to the login account, i get a message that the server is down and I’m kicked out of the website. Any ideas on what to do about this?
S.S.
Hi, Judy. We’re sorry to hear you’re experiencing issues with transitioning your my Social Security account. If you still need help with the transition:
We hope this helps.
Deborah B.
Can’t login
Margaret B.
I’ve tried signing in a number of times and also changed my password at least 3 times and still can’t sign in. I know I changed over to Log In Gov ID
S.S.
Hi, Margaret. We’re sorry to hear you’re experiencing issues with transitioning your my Social Security account. If you still need help with the transition:
Dan T.
Can my wife and I use the same e-mail address to sign in.
S.S.
Hello, Dan. 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.