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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Allison D.
Too difficult to complete the direct deposit from Social Security . I’ve never encountered such a thing before setting up my direct deposit . After SEVERAL attempts I have given up . Either this is a scam or false advertisement but I’m not going to keep trying to set up my direct deposit , this is just a waste of my time 😡😡😡
sayda v.
Hey I just want to update my phone number please and thank you the is (786)975-4999
Harold M.
Never publish phone number or other personal information here, please remove this comment! You can call SSA if you want to update phone number.
Margaret L.
At the very start things got off on a bad foot. To verify my email address, I waited for a code to submit. It was in my spam folder, so I identified the sender as safe. Then SSA sent another, different verification code to my Inbox, which I submitted, and which was rejected. I went back and retrieved the first code (the one that showed up in Spam) and submitted that, and it also was rejected. In a fit of pique I selected “I do not have an email address” or words to that effect, and was sent to a page to get The Letter…which I remember getting some years ago. Oh my. This does NOT bode well. What a boondoggle…and all on taxpayer money, yours and mine.
Tony C.
This process is a nightmare. After several attempts I am still not signed up. Tried to be verified by Id.me, that didn’t work. Tried to set up authentication alternative, that didn’t work.
Jean B.
I have been told to never put your full SS# on any web page and this new site asks for it. I will call on the first business day to actually talk to someone!
Whilamena M.
You surely make it very difficult for people to maintain their sanity while trying to log in… Then you have to wait about a month to get some kind of log in code… Come on now WHY MAKE IT SO DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE SAME USERNAME AND PASSWORD… BUT NO WE HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS JUST TO SIGN IN…
Susan S.
I am having the same problem. I thought I created an account to transition to as instructed. But, now I can’t sign into either the original SS account or the new Login account. Please solve this problem!!!
Melissa
I had to delete the login.gov account due to not having access to the phone number for the account anymore. Deleted okay, reset up okay but cannot get into Social Security because it says I already have an account. Looked up “relink account” but there is no information to even how to “relink ” an account! Now I have two 80 year old parents with no access to Social Security.
Linda F.
Tried setting up new act. the codes that were sent won’t work.
Bill E.
I followed the instructions on SSA.GOV, received a letter via USPS containing the Activation code. Followed the instructions in the letter and signed in successfully to LOGIN.GOV, BUT I was never prompted for the Activation Code in the letter. And this code expires in about 1-month. Did I miss something? How do I determine if I am setup correctly?