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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Tom
same problem as above. Have spent about 4 hours and am no closer then when I started. very frustrating!
T.Y.
Hi, Tom. 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.
Derald H.
My name is Derald Huit I was born in 1962 and I believe I need to reestablish a restart my social security.
T.Y.
Hello, Derald. 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.
Bill R.
All F’up now. Ran around in circles, login in code, activation code, etc. Wished I never tried to change to LOGIN.gov. Now I cannot get back in.
David C.
The geniuses who set up the form never considered that someone might live OUTSIDE the USA and still be a social security recipient. All the forms require a US phone number and Zip Code and the only choices for location are the states or military.
David C.
I have tried several times over many days to follow the directions. They DO NOT WORK. Among the MANY problems is that, if you try to select an SMS message or phone call, you get a 403 error.
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.
Susan C.
For a few days I came to this webpage to read the comments. Finally, today the comments seemed to be more positive that I could make the change to login.gov. EASY-PEASY is the best way to describe it. Avoid it (if you can) on the weekends and Monday, the website is over-loaded with traffic which causes the error messages.
Frank O.
I believe I got to the last step with a final 6 digit confirmation code request. No email, no text, timed out in 10 Min.
Not happy.
T.Y.
Hello, Frank. 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.
Cathy J.
This year (June 2024), I could not log into ssa.gov and thus was told via phone call…I would be MAILED a temporary password. I received that temp password in August 2024)! I was NOT told about Login.org and I still cannot access my account with such antiquated instructions!
T.Y.
Hi, Cathy. 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.
Mary A.
I’m a former Federal employee and I’m fairly computer savvy, but I’ve been trying all morning to “transition”. I think it’d be easier to transition into a ‘flying pig’. Sorry for the sarcasism, but this is ridiculous! There has to be a better way.
T.Y.
Hi, Mary Ann. 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.
Bettie A.
I am also having issues with the new sign in process.
Trying to switch to the SSA.gov
Is not allowing me to go any other site that I need to apply for
benefits.
It is not helpful
T.Y.
Hello, Bettie. 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.