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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Daniel C.
Please be advised I will protest this to my senator and congressman. You have made us even more vulnerable to those who do no obey the rights of others and work in mass to exploit the weakness and corruption that exists in the federal feeding trough. I ASK this be stopped and evaluated and a purge and investigation of agencies that have access without hack protection better than what was announced today. We pay you to take care of us who paid in faithfully over the years. The digital age continues to become less and less safe. Let us return to a type of paper system/digital. Think about it. Remember if you do not protect these accounts and system crashes you will be out of a job!
DDC
Richard
why do you make this so hard? we were born before the internet.
Rosemarie
I don’t know if I already have a login.gov account? How can I see if I do or don’t?
Todd B.
I live in the Philippines and it is very difficult to set up the new log in method as the form does not allow to receive a text verification to a Philippine cell number.
It would be easier to receive the verification code via email.
Mark i.
i never received the activation code by mail, but my initial attempt somehow matched to my existing LoginID . BUT the system will NOT let me into my account. I have a letter confirming the accounts are tied. I went to local SSA office and the man had no help to give me. NOW WHAT ?
Shelley W.
My husband and I have the same email address. I went to set up my new account and the system pulls up his account instead of my account. It also sends the notification to his phone number. I am not sure how to fix the problem. I have tried to contact SSA but the wait on the phone is so long that I can’t hang on. I have held on the phone at least an hour and still did not get a live person. I know they assist millions of people.
Rose
Login.gov had my old phone so I deleted account, reset it all next day with new phone number. Now that I log in to login. gov iit states I need to login with ssa to activate connecting the 2 accounts, by adding my old username, password, not just the login.gov. I am on hold for an hour at national hotline trying to get an income verification letter for another gvmnt employee and it Friday past noon, so this not get done until Monday afternoon, a week later. Security is better than trying to recover an impersonator trying to steal your income check.
Debbie G.
my husband used the same email as mine. How can I change my comcast email to a gmail account so i can convert to login.gov
John
You may have to recreate a new account to add your email, but I think you should be able to do that within your profile account, there should be options there to change or add email account. I do not work for the SSA ,just reading these replies as I have problems as well trying to get it setup.
S.S.
Hello, Debbie. Thanks for reading our blog. We understand your frustration. However, 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. We hope this is helpful.
DALE p.
BARB COME BACK HOME1
Sora
This is too difficult for older seniors like my 81 year old mother to navigate. Did you consider that aspect? Is there a number to have someone help with technical questions.