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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Dan M.
Tried to set up the account and after several attempts to set up the account with each try ended in failure.
Including locking out my I-phone and email for 24 hours each time. I deleted the account. Found the phone help had little knowledge of the setup system. locking my phone out and placing my wife, in as a suggestion
Brandy N.
Na
Kim
Crazy! It told me there was already a Login.gov accounr with my email address, but I never did it and (obviously) did not have a pw. With help (once I could find the number, which wasn’t easy) I was finally able to get the account together, then SSA is asking about an activation code. Huh??? The woman at login.gov made it quite clear once I logged in they could no longer help as it was now a SSA issue. I may be in my upper 60’s, but I am far from stupid and quite computer savvy. I can’t imagine what it’s like for someone else who may not be tech savvy. What a joke.
Theresa
AGREED!!!!! Were you able to get this resolved? Any tips?
Much appreciated
Michael L.
I really appreciate how simple it was to sign up. I’m not the most computer literate person, and I encountered some bumps in the road but all in all I’ve had more problems with signing up with private business, banking, etc.
Francesco L.
Unable to complete at this time.
gayliantonio @ Gmail.com
Margo R.
I have been trying to set up account but instead it showed by husbands account. I have my letter but my user name and password will not bring up where I need to in the activation code I received in the email. I am now locked outed out for 24 hours because I tried three times.
Ridiculous. Three weeks later and still not able to set up.
Raymond
I tried to transition to LOGIN.gov and hit a roadblock. The instructions provided in the letter sent to me with the account activation code does not work! Why must you always screw up what was already working. I want to keep what was working. Ever hear of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”?
Robert
So the SSA text does NOT work as the code is supposed to have a LETTER – IT DOES NOT! I sent and WAITED forever for a CODE SSA sent with DIRECTIONS that DID NOT WORK!
Jennifer
Perhaps it’s the system today. I have tried merging idk 🤷♂️
Kenneth J.
Way, way too difficult a website now!
I never had any problems until now, August 9, 2024
Kim M.
My spouse does not have an e-mail account and probably won’t. I do all of our computer work and set up all of our portal/website access. Your new login process requires e-mail as user Id’s and this is an issue for those that don’t have one and should not be required to maintain one. We currently have separate user id and passwords, but my spouse never accesses his account. What are my options. This is a poor technology requirement for users. We have had issues with this on medical portals and had to have them override the e-mail user Id in order to set up a different user id to access. I use to create user program requirements and test the programming an this is ridiculous to require e-mail addresses which are not very secure. Do we have other options?
S.D.
Thanks for your question, Kim. Each person must set up their own Login.gov account with their own personal email address, not an email shared with someone else. We hope this helps.