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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RonelleD
I can’t log into my account despite the fact that my username and password are written down. I called and was promised a temporary username will be mailed to me. THAT WAS THREE MONTHS AGO. I have received nothing.
I’m Oct. I went to my local SS office to make an appointment only to be told they do not make appointments, I have to sit and wait. I sat for two hours to get answers to my questions. I had to go back a few days later – another 2 hours. This morning, 12/23, I waited an hour outside the office to be told no one will be seen without an appointment! Five hours and many more on the phone and I have achieved nothing. Really SS? Is this the best you can do?
Darlene Y.
THIS NEW PROCESS OF MAKING APPOINTMENTS IS RIDICULOUS. MY WAIT TIME WAS ESTIMATED AT 90 MINUTES… STILL WAITING ON CALL BACK. CAN’T DO EVERYTHING ON LINE. CAN’T WALK IN TO LOCAL OFFICE. SEEMS THE ONLY PEOPLE THIS HELPS IS THE SSA!!!!
Laura D.
I have a login.id account and can get there, but once it sends me to SSA, I fill out the required info and it says it sent my verification code but I never receive it. I’ve tried to have it resent 3 times.
S.S.
Hi, Laura, Thanks for reading our blog. We’re sorry to hear you’re experiencing issues with transitioning your my Social Security account. If you still need help with the transition, you can:
· Contact the Login.gov help center or the ID.me help center if you have questions about your Login.gov or ID.me credential.
· Watch our 3-minute video for step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition.
· Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov.
· Speak with a representative by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.
Dianne
I don’t remember my user name or password. Ssa.gov gave me a “temporary” password (I recognize it, but don’t know whether it was the original or not. Nor does the site tell me how long the “temporary” password is valid.
I don’t remember my password, either. To give it to me, or allow me to change it, ssa.gov gave me a box to answer three security questions. Okay, my maternal grandfather wasn’t born in, or close to, a city. Don’t remember what I originally answered.
My oldest cousin died decades ago. I remember her name, but not whether it had one or two “L”s. My mistake, I spelled it with two.
ID check rejected. Wouldn’t allow me to try again, as it had been rejected already.
I understand the security logic, but there is no “Plan B” route to get into my account.
ALL I want to do is to set up the now soon to be required Login.gov account.
Guess I’ll have to make an appointment to physically visit my Social Security office to comply with the shift to the SSA-required access to my account. In the next 4 working days remaining before I can no longer use the mySocialSecurity access.
Another example of the “easy on-line access” being a time-consuming schedule-wrecking fiasco.
Andrew C.
I have had my social security number since 1964 and I log-in and they say they don’t recognize my number.
Raymond C.
I signed in with my new ID Password app and after submitting the Varification code number was sent to a new Profile page. I live in Canada and the page does not allow for a Province or postal code only state and zip code. How do I correct for this?
S.D.
We’re sorry you’re having difficulty, Raymond. Customers living outside the U.S. who want to access their personal my Social Security account should create an account with ID.me following the instructions on our Service Around the World webpage. If you need assistance with your ID.me account, visit the ID.me help center. We hope this is helpful.
Michael M.
how the hell do you long in to “my Social security” when you forget your username and password???
when I click forgot password the pathway takes me to a number of boxes, username-SS number- date of birth!
if my username is wrong I’m dead in the water!
all you do is lock me out after three tries, brilliant!
Tara J.
I am trying to fix my login so I can fix my SSI stuff and I keep getting locked out. Help
Joseph A.
New to social security about two years now ready to enjoy life
Erich E.
I try to login then send the verification code. Then sends me to a page to fill in my information, then it tells me that I have an account. I know I have an account but haven’t been able to get in since it changed from user name to logn.gov. Can you help me figure out what;s wrong.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog Erich.We’re sorry to hear you’re experiencing issues with transitioning your my Social Security account. If you still need help with the transition, you can:
· Contact the Login.gov help center or the ID.me help center if you have questions about your Login.gov or ID.me credential.
· Watch our 3-minute video for step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition.
· Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov.
· Speak with a representative by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt.
We hope this helps.