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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Steve R.
We have 2 Soc Sec accounts (one for me and one for my wife) but just one email. We don’t want another email address (and all the related spam), but login.gov won’t let us set up two different Soc Sec accounts from one email. Frustrating gov’t bozos.
T.Y.
Hello, Steve. Thanks for reading our blog. We understand your frustration. However, each person must set up their own Login.gov account with their own personal email address – not an email that you share with someone else. We hope this is helpful.
Paul K.
Like the other comments … this just doesn’t seem to work. In addition, you have to give so much personal information: SSN, a picture and/or a video, cell phone number (let alone that you need to have a cell phone). And if you fail some steps, you have to ask for a snail mail and you can’t use this service for up to 10 days. I was a programmer for 40 years but this defeats me.
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.
Richard G.
Trying to log in using the new systems is a nightmare. I am consistently redirected to a log in method that requires facial recognition of my fingerprint. Since I am using my computer and neither of those methods are set up I can go no further. I have my phone set to use my fingerprint but I still get no joy when trying there. This is terrible!
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Richard. 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.
Dennis
How will we know when get this working correctly?
David
I was able to transition to login.gov with no problem. The procedure was a bit involved, but successful.
D2
Annette B.
Most of the comments in the August 7, 2024 list indicate the usual confusion & tiresome requirements to get ALL of the needs of these new steps (ID, photos, multitude of needs that shouldn’t be required) in getting login correct. Shouldn’t this system get it straight before starting this mess?
What are we supposed to do if we can’t get our SSA benefits on time?
Who do we contact when this system does not work on time to get our SSA benefits?
KAY
OH WELL, NO JOY. WAIT FOR SOMETHING IN THE MAIL. NOTHING WORKED. IM 82 YRS OLD AND REALLY TIRED OF NEW IMPROVEMENTS. THE OTHER WAY WORKED JUST FINE.
Arthur M.
It is very frustrating to sign in with I.D. me and spent several hours trying to sign in without success.
T.Y.
Hello, Arthur. 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.
Richard F.
As per the previous comments, I have tried for 2 days to set this up. I thought it was correct but can’t seem to get it to work and have been told the information I used was incorrect. This is too complicated for folks who are not computer savvy to navigate.
Melvin W.
I know I’m tech-stupid but, I guess they want to prove it to me anyway…
T.Y.
Hi, Richard. 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.
Sue
My husband and I share the same email address and this will not let you do that even though you have different passwords.
Marlin
What did you do? Same problem here.
T.Y.
Hello, Sue. Thank you for reading our blog. Each person must set up their own Login.gov account with their own personal email address – not an email that you share with someone else. We hope this information helps.
Kathryne T.
what a nightmare.