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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
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
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Dennis F.
I’ve tried to transition to Login.gov multiple times and everytime I get an error page after selecting the SMS verification option. Don’t know what to do from there. HELP !!!
T.Y.
Hi, Dennis. 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.
Alex C.
After I entered my activation code you said you could not process at this time. What’s happening. This is becoming burdensome.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Alex. 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.
Crowe
The entire website and system is broken.
I cannot file an appeal online, I can’t log in, I get sent to dead ends all over the website. I can’t even get a person over the phone! AND the ssa.gov/feedback page DOESN’T HAVE A WAY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK. This is a DISGUSTING misappropriation of resources, to have everything so broken.
Bonnie S.
This has been a nightmare and it says I am ok in login.gov setup a few weeks ago but then get a letter in the mail with an activation code to go back in enter in the older website for SS to close that out and switch to Login.gov…no matter what I do it doesn’t work. I called for help with a 2 plus hour waiting time?? No way.I thought I was done and all set up..now I have no clue. I can’t be the only one having issues. HELP! I thought I followed the letter instructions to a tee but all I get is check back later now? HELP!
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Bonnie. 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.
Barbara
I tried several years ago to do this. Can’t get it to work. I lost all the info that I put in.
NOW this site says I have to watch a video. I have COVID brain and MUST have written instructions.
I’ll wait until later this year? Or maybe I will die first and it won’t matter.
William D.
I just went through the transition process and found it entirely trouble free. Everything worked the way it said it would, and after testing it a time of two, I’m very pleased.
John P.
I keep getting an error message. I have called SSA. They said I needed to call login.gov. Login.gov is ridiculous and seems not to have anything to do with Social Security (but it is marketing medical alerts.) ?????
T.Y.
Hello, John. 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.
Mark P.
Keep trying to change to the new system but can’t get it done due to the stupidity of the new system. Not getting my ss payment deposited into my account!! Called, waited for call back, received call back only to hav them hang up on me when I tried to answer call. Have to wait another 39 minutes for another cal back. Hope to get thru before I hav to go to work, so I can ay for this rorren govt agency!! Disgusting!
Bob
This process is much more complicated than the the explanations would lead someone to assume.
Kris M.
I am not getting SMS security code. Please help me
T.Y.
Hi, Kris. 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.