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
I currently have a password/email account. I tried to set up a login account, got partially through it and it kicked me out. Now when I try to start over and create a new account, I get a message saying it’s already been created. When I try to log in, I get a 403 error message that states the request was blocked, you can’t connect to the server at this time, and there might be too much traffic or a configuration error. I called the SS help desk, requested a return call—which they did; but then, the woman asked me for my SS number and I left the call because that was creepy! I guess I have to just wait and see…
Samantha H.
Same!!!!
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Joan. 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.
R.V. S.
Problem with my wife & I sharing the same e-mail address. What now? Will this be fixed?
T.Y.
Hello, R.V. Thank you for reading our blog and for your question. 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. Thanks.
Kathy
This is the 3rd time I’ve tried to set up the new account without success. I sign into Login.gov which sends a link to my email to sign in with. Sounds good, right? The link goes immediately to a field requiring me to enter an authentication code which I don’t have and did not sign up for. When I select delete to start over, it goes back to the authentication garbage again. Why does the damned government always have to screw with something that works for something that doesn’t?
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Kathy. 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.
Joey C.
Is it the same website? Different format? I have both id.me and login.gov is that problematic?
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Joe. 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.
Gina G.
I am trying to transition from user name and password to the requirements you are suggesting. But this is impossible..I have tried several times I changed my password many times and nothing works please help solve this problem
thank you
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.
LorRae S.
Difficult to create and log in!
T.Y.
Hi, LorRae. 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 S.
Is anyone from SSA reading these comments? Why not issue regular updates on the status. I can’t log in with my old mySocialSecurity account info. It says it is sending me a code, but it never does. I’m planning to go in person to the SSA office.
Bill C.
I followed the steps in my Account Activation letter. The site says I already have an account, but I can’t find where to enter the activation code. I have tried two different days and spent an unknown amount of time without success.
I quit!
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Bill. 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.
-Joe
Transitioned SSA to login.gov acct using snail mail auth code, per instructions and without any problems. . . until I logged in to login.gov acct and could not access SSA from there. The only option on that site was to de-link my SSA account, there was not an option to access it!!!
Someone(s) are not playing nicely together.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Joe. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
George D.
I was verified with ID.me and I can get to my ID.me account. From the SSA login page when I click the ID.me link the ID.me sign in page opens. After entering my email and password I get kicked back to the SSA login page. I can’t get to My SSA Account the current way or using ID.me.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, George. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.