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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Dave A.
Attempting to create login.gov credentials, and I get all the way to the prompt for: “Have you requested an activation code?”. Where do I request one from? If I say NO, it says: “Sorry, we cannot complete your request at this time, try again later.” Why is this process difficult if this is something we’ll NEED to do for access to these services? You provide NO information on where to request an activation code, so what can we, as users, do to advance in the process?
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Dave. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video if you still need assistance. 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.
Larry W.
Very frustrating! I’ve tried several times since receiving the email suggesting that I transition to the new login. Each time, i enter the required information only to be told to try again later.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Larry. 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.
Denised
More government bureaucracy. How many billions will this cost us?
Lora B.
I need back up codes to log on I -gov
T.Y.
Hello, Lora. 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.
Marilyn
This process was not easy I eventually got to “my social security” account but I was nervous going through Login.gov and ID me being unsure of everything being legit. I think Social Security should make this a little easier. A lot of people aren’t all that computer literate you guys made it really hard.
Jan
My husband and I use the same Email address and this program will not allow that. Now attempting to call. Hold time is almost 2 hours.
get some more flipping people instead of forgiving tuition for people who make 6 figures.
KEVIN G.
I’M LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I CONNOT DO ANY THING WITH THIS SIGN IN, BEEN TRYING FOR 3 WEEKS WITH NO SUCCESS! SAYS THERE IS A PHONE LINE FOR HELP, HAVE NEVER FOUND THE NUMBER. SHOULD BE A BETTER PROCESS.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Kevin. 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 B.
Very frustrating. Got mine set up with little problem but not my husband’s. Still trying and have been for roughly 3 hours off and on today. He cannot do this himself and depends on me for any computer-related. Please make this process easier!
Mario p.
Someone is using my benefits why I can do
Shirley
I hear you I do the same for my Husband and we use the same email because he does not know how to do this and because of that I had to delete my email under his account and then do my account with my email and his account with his email then use my phone # for both of us that way I can see his and my account
Mitzi T.
I call and get told all agents are busy and to call back at a later time then try to access this to report my daughter’s wages and it won’t allow me to. What am I supposed to do now? Can’t contact you either way.
Robert R.
So this is just more Government collecting my information on my dime..