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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Joan M.
I received the email from SSA saying we need to transition to Login.gov or ID.me, and I watched the video. I was going to do this, but then I saw the pages of comments from people who were unable to successfully transition after trying for hours (including someone who went to their SSA office in person, and even they were unable to do it). The SSA email said we will “soon” be unable to log in the old way, and the ssa.gov website says we’ll be unable to log in the old way “later this year.” I wish they had given us a hard deadline, because I’m terrified to try this and fail and then not be able to log in at all, as has happened with the hundreds of people who have posted comments. SSA should halt the transition process until after the bugs are worked out, and please don’t block us from logging in the old way until the transition process is working properly.
Michelle M.
michellegon1975@gmail.com
Cynthia N.
I have moved outside the US in 2023. I was able to set up a login on Log In .gov as I had an account set up with user name and password. Login.gov allowed me to give them my new cell # outside US and I was able to get the code and clear their procedure. But unfortunately the SSA.gov site did not allow me to give you my correct cell so I could get a verification code to fully enter the site,
T.Y.
Hi, Cynthia. 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.
Janice L.
I am trying to set up an account, because my current account was set up in 2017. It asked for my email address, and when I give it. It continues to tell me it is already in use. I only have one email address, so what do I do.
This is not helpful.
T.Y.
Hello, Janice. 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.
Jeanne B.
This transition has been an utter nightmare, in which I feel trapped in the circles of hell. After numerous attempts to create a new account, and hours on the phone waiting for overworked SSA customer support, I was required to go to an SSA office and get an “activation code”. Hours spent in a waiting area. I gave up and came home.
We need to better fund SSA so that staff are adequate staffed and supported, and the waiting weary ones can be less weary.
Rick W.
So if I’am understanding the information correctly i already have (Log in .gov) so i do not need to do anything Copy That… is that correct
Dan
As all of the above have remarked, the system is very unworkable and frustrating.
After having to change my password twice and then waiting two weeks to receive an activation code by mail as I couldn’t make that happen online, then re-entering all my data and again having to change my password for the third time, the system pleasantly replied:
“Can’t access your information at this time. Please try later.”
What a great system you’ve foisted on us, it’s makes for so much fun.
T.Y.
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.
Randy
They have made it almost impossible to sign into my account now! I’ve been on the phone twice with social security and once with in gov. and I’m no better off then when I started! Nobody seems to be able to help!! Very Upset with the whole thing!
Alice
I changed over and now I can’t access my information. I need a verification letter ASAP and the phone people say it will take 7 days.
Tiffany N.
I tried to get an Id.me and than it confirmed but immediately tried to switch screen to login.gov and than my id.me stopped working. I’m not sure what’s going on or if I ever got approved for disability as I have been waiting for answers even on supplemental in the mean time. I don’t believe that all my applications or information updating were actually received like they should have been since 2018, 2019, and ,each year I’ve tried to apply, I haven’t gotten a response even after re 2022.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Tiffany. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.