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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Averylin P.
I attempted to sign into Log.gov and keep getting a message stating I already have an account (email don’t match or account not linked)?? I attempt to sign in with username and request a reminder and get the message there is not a record for me??
Why is it so difficult to log in to my account. I do not want to spend time on the phone (on hold) to be told no assistance can be provided. There has to be a better way to protect privacy and not create such a difficult process for persons to review their account. It took forever for me to set the account up two years ago and now I’m again faced with a similar issue.
S.S.
Hello Averylin. We apologize for the wait times you’ve experiences and understand how frustrating that can be. We are working to improve our response times and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
George
The social security website is an absolute nuisance to use. Logging in, or trying to log in, is the most difficult and convoluted of any I use. I do not see how you could have made it worse. I am not looking forward to the new system, and will not transition to it until I am forced to.
MG
I can’t log into my account. It says it doesn’t recognize my information. I set up the account and received a letter that they received my information in November 2024. I’m just trying to check when my benifit starts
Mr. S.
January 6, 2025,
Been waiting for activation code to set up account! Only need a copy of “proof of income”
Your website page suggests to download PDF app, to get it.
Created new email and password. Provided required personal information repeatedly.
Called 1-800-772-1213, waited 3 hours for representative to answer.
I accept human error and apologize for any inconvenience on my end, but failed attempts to create an account in your website, hopefully is not a delay or denial tactic on your end.
This comment may be repeated.
Disregard the first one and accept this one!
Mr. T.
January 6, 2025,
Been waiting for activation code to set up account! Only need a copy of “proof of income”
Your website page suggests to download PDF app, to get it.
Created new email and password. Provided required personal information repeatedly.
Called 1-800-772-1213, waited 3 hours for representative to answer.
I accept human error and apologize for any inconvenience on my end, but failed attempts to create an account in your website, hopefully is not a delay or denial tactic on your end.
This comment may be repeated.
Disregard the first one and accept this one!
Mr. T.
January 6, 2025,
Been waiting for activation code to set up account! Only need a copy of “proof of income”
Your website page suggests to download PDF app, to get it.
Created new email and password. Provided required personal information repeatedly.
Called 1-800-772-1213, waited 3 hours for representative to answer.
I accept human error and apologize for any inconvenience on my end, but failed attempts to create an account in your website, hopefully is not a delay or denial tactic on your end.
Tami S.
Can’t log into my account. Telling me it does not recognize my information. I have been trying for 2 months ( Nov 2024, Dec 2024 & Jan 2025) .
I tried calling and after 3 hours on hold your office hug up on me. This is very unprofessional and irritating. I need to talk to someone or get access to my account. I need someone in this administration to respond ASAP.
S.S.
Hi, Tami. 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.
In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. We value your opinion and hope this helps.
Susan M.
I have the same problem! I keep being told that my information is not recognized, but nothing has changed. I can’t log in.
Kim M.
I’ve been trying to log into my account through login.gov and I’ve gotten as far as it allowing me to do
the text code but then it always goes back to the screen saying I don’t need to create an account because there is one. I keep choosing log in not create an account so this is getting frustrating!
Mohamed I.
I can not login to my account. It says incorrect information
Alice P.
Can’t log into my account. I tried many times. No matter what I do it keeps telling me it does not recognize my information. I have gotten a new passcode number from you and it still does not work.
I tried calling and after 2 hours on hold I gave up.
I would please like to talk to someone or get access to my account.