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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John P.
Why on earth do I have to create a new email address to sign up for Logi.gov, or at least that what I keep getting as a response.
Chuck C.
I set up a login.gov account which works, but it didn’t link to my social security account. Instead, it said my authorization # is incorrect and they are sending it to my via USPS mail. WHAT??? I hope I haven’t just messed my account up completely.
H. S.
This login.gov. is extremely frustrating! For several months I’ve tried using it, but to no avail.
Rick B.
For the life of me, I cant figure out how to get an authentication App that doesnt charge $$!!!!!!!! I am a computer guy and cant make this work. Login.gov is not a good program!!!!
Kathy A.
Please reconsider transitioning to LOGIN.gov. I recently retired from Federal Government Service, after decades serving. Many DoD websites transitioned years ago to LOGIN.gov and it is a horrible system, as I continually had difficulty logging in every time I needed to access a system that was using it. I am a computer literate individual and the system was either not responding, would say it didn’t recognize my login/password despite me meticulously writing it down EVERY time it happened (which was too numerous to keep track of) and extremely difficult to get anyone (AI or otherwise) to help me. Please, please, please find a better option, as this .GOV software and its respective IT support is abysmal, to say the least! I have had LOGIN.gov access/password for many, many years and it is ALWAYS a problem signing in and/or resetting passwords. Just tried to login to SSA website today, using my already existing LOGIN.gov information. It did NOT work and locked my account. Will try again tomorrow but, based on past history, I suspect it will be another hassle that will take days to get resolved.
Susan M.
The new log in is awful!!! I cant find information I’m looking for. When I call in the hold time is at least 1 hour. I do not have time or patience for this.
Donny
This could have been simple, but no it’s anything but simple. I’ve worked in IT for over 30 years. This is the most inept, convoluted process I have ever tried to engage with.
I set up the login.gov but it will not allow me to link my SSA.gov account.
John B.
Once again the Federal Government screwed up and they are using American tax dollars to run their agency. I created my login.gov account and was successful the first time but now I can’t get into it. It keeps telling me I already have an account. Total waste of money on who is over seeing this migration to login.gov.
Connie G.
While transitioning to Login.gov it’s requesting a backup code to continue setting up account.
I never received the code or the list of codes it states to check.
So where do I find the code or how do I receive such code so I can continue to complete this process?
Gwendolyn K.
Sign-in will not accept my email. I’ve tried changing password, everything I know to do. I need to change my direct deposit and the wait on the phone estimates to be about an hour. I guess I’ll sit on the phone.