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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Joseph J.
I created my login.gov account but have not been able to access my Soc Sec account or talk to anyone about it. You need to correct your system. Thank You. Joseph
T.Y.
Hi, Joseph. 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.
Gordon
Have tried 5 time to complete ID.me and cannot get successful video selfie. Now locked out for 24 hours.
Will try Log.gov later
T.Y.
Hi, Gordon. 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.
Lynne
I made a login to the new ID and now it says I have the wrong email which is wrong. Can’t get in.
T.Y.
Hi, Lynne. 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.
Sue P.
Both my husband and I use the same email account, so how do we set up an account? It states only one user per email…
Linda K.
Created my login.gov account last year and have tried numerous times to use it to access my ssa.gov account but it keeps asking me for a code I assume from when I created my ssa.gov account. Have searched all paperwork in my files from SSA and found no such code and when I check the box that I don’t have that code it takes me to a page that self populates with all the wrong info but after entering all the correct info it states it can’t create my account. I wasn’t trying to create a new ssa.gov account just get this damn new login method to work. I have even called SSA office and they couldn’t help.
T.Y.
Hello, Linda. 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 B.
I agree with the above comments. No link to set up a new profile for either login.gov or ID. Me. It just goes to show you. Government can’t do anything right.
T.Y.
Hi. Bill. 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.
Ann S.
My wife has been trying to set up a new Login.gov account for about 3 weeks now. Each time, she gets a message “We cannot process your request at this time. Please try again later.” She has tried about 8-10 times with no success.
T.Y.
Hello, 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.
Christine M.
They need to make the signing into your account a little simpler. You have 3 options, why?
Roberto A.
I was able to login.gov before I changed to new mobile phone. I tried to deleted the login.gove account and registered again. Then I was asked to identify me. I do not have activation code but no way I can request one since I do not have US phone number nor US address. I think they should remove the identify me process, I wasn’t asked when I set up last time.
Worried and frustrated.
T.Y.
Hi, Roberto. 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.
Kathy
Login.gov does not work. Cannot access my account at all. Please respond with a solution! Thanks for making the Sign-in process “easier!”
T.Y.
Hi, Kathy. 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.