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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Dave N.
Unable to upload photo of license.
T.Y.
Hi, Dave. Thank you for reading our blog. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
Mauro G.
I have a SSA login based on UserName+Password logged in and found no instruction how to transition to Login.gov
Turns out I already had a Login.gov account and did access. But it does not get me anywhere. It lists an associated SSA account. When accessing that link it tries to validate my identity and then it says it cannot create an account. This entire process is total garbage, does not work.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
teresa d.
I went through ALL the steps…. it took more than a half hour. Just as I completed and was in SSA, it suddenly told me I didn’t have access to my information.
SSA used to be very good, personally on phone and online.
The BIG government has FAILED, again. And it’s not safer.
T.Y.
Hi, Teresa. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
Silvia B.
Bad Choice
Rita L.
how do I request a paper statement. I do not do online very well, does anyone know?
T.Y.
Thank you for your question and for reading our blog, Rita. We only mail paper Social Security Statements to workers who are 60 years or older if they do not receive Social Security benefits or have not created a personal my Social Security account. Workers should receive their Statements in the mail about 3 months before their birthday. You can still get your Statement online regardless of your age by creating a personal my Social Security account. You can also review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits and check your earnings record. We hope this information is helpful.
Stan B.
I’ve been using ID Me for over 5 years to access other sites that give veterans discounts. Never an issue logging in. Quite seamless.
Ken
Tried to use the log in to get a benefit letter, the site said it would send me my authentication letter via postal mail, called help desk, after almost 2 hours the lady said I could not get it via e mail due to government regulations. That makes no sense, now I need to wait in line to get my benefit letter which defeats the purpose of getting it quickly.
Cecelia O.
Tried to set up account on my husbands computer. would not accept my username.
WHY
T.Y.
Hi, Cecelia. Thank you for reading our blog. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
Teresa s.
After I entered my information it says it cannot open an account with the social security number entered. I entered the correct number so what the hell
T.Y.
Hello, Teresa. Thank you for reading our blog. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
Tracy
The online portals are very confusing and frustrating for those of us with limited tech skills