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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TERRELL B.
I had no problem signing in to my SSA account with Login.gov, IDMe and my SSA account and username and password. I followed the instructions and then did some exploring on my own as to what I could do or not do. I had no problem changing any information. Yes, I did get a CODE on my cell phone to input, it came right after I hit ‘enter’. I am sorry that they do not use email for anything as it would make life easier for us. I am not a government employee, I retired from the Fire Service in 2000.
Donald A.
I have been trying for weeks to make a simple change of address. Your message says it can not sign me in using the “social security number” I provided! I have only been using that social security number for 65 years!!!!!!! What’s the matter with you?????? I have tried calling you. Your voice response system said the wait time would be 33 minutes. After holding for a full 2 hours, I gave up and hung up. I am a disabled Vietnam combat veteran. I faithfully served my country. I don’t understand why it is so difficult for you to serve me with a simple change of address!!!
S.S.
Hi Donald. Thank you for your service to our country and thank you for reading our blog. We are sorry to hear you did not receive the level of customer service you expected. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or go to your local Social Security office. Find the local Social Security office information, click here. We hope this information helps.
Jean P.
I am not receiving my SS check. The ability to find out why is non-existent.
T.Y.
Hello, Jean. Thanks for reading our blog. If you do not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.
bel w.
TERRIBLE experience. requires too much information. it asked for photos and ss #. I was very suspicious. Did not complete the process after 3 hours. I want to call ss office first.
Gertrudes B.
It’s getting complicated,it says that my email address cannot be accessed but they keep sending me an email in this email address.
Michael E.
Tried to login to my account and was told that they didn’t recognize me. tried to change login new password
THOUGHT YHEY WANTED ME TO CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT
sorry for capital s not shouting.
now might be locked out. was on my account a while ago. I have Macular Degeneration so I have problems
S.S.
Hello, Michael. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need help with transitioning your account, you can contact Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. Call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-078) if you are locked out of your personal my Social Security account, or if you want to change your Multi-Factor Authentication method. Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Ann P.
I agree. This has just made life more difficult.
S.S.
Hello, Bel. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need help with transitioning your account, you can contact Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. Call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-078). Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
TG
We need to go back to the username and password scheme. The login.gov does not work with the SSA!
Denise s.
No it doesn’t work right. Who in the heck is going to help with this. Leave it like it is.
SM
While trying to login into my acct, it is requesting for an activation code which I did not receive.
David J.
I ran into this. I just clicked no and it went to the next page.
S.S.
Hello, SM. Thank you for reading our blog. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you and your wife to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
Sandy
Me, too! SSA says call Login.gov. Login.gov says call SSA. Nothing at login.gov but telephone robots that reroute the call around into nothing and then back again. And again. And again . . . WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE????
Apparently, nobody in US government knows which end is up anymore. Or the powers(?) that be are too stupid, greedy, lazy . . whatever(!) to fully fund and staff these vital services FOR the people of the United States of America who fund their unearned paychecks?
So pathetic!
Teresa S.
Sandy,
I totally agree with you. I am constantly saying, “I miss people.” Automated is great, if you’re calling the grocery store, Target, etc…. But, America is so busy outsourcing everything, to save nickels and dimes. That now it has it has boiled over to any place you call. I actually was put on hold by a 911 operator, because there aren’t enough people working. When are they going to make America 🇺🇸 great again? We’re still waiting!!! I know I got off topic but it burns my butt.
Charlie W.
Sad thing is that the goverment doesn’t care, and the employees don’t realize they’re quietly being let go for robots. after a while no one will have money from a job, no way to pay bills or get food.
Welcome to Democratic America with the socialist/communist elites who are so SPECIAL and the blathering idiots in Washington, D.C. , are doing little to nothing to keep us from slowing drowning in a life raft made of Swiss cheese.
The DEMOCRATS, LIKE ROME, is struggling to keep their precious POWER while we are slowly dying
and the democrats don’t care.
Dee E.
For the past 2 months I have been trying to transition to using Login.gov as the Social Security has suggested. I had previous been logging into my SS account using a unique ID. Login.gov is requesting login with email addresses. I successfully created a login.gov account but have been denied access to it based on my social security number. I made multiple attempts to ask for assistance. I called and had a long conversation with SS and they advised I visit my local SS office.
The visit to the SS office was unsuccessful since the agent gave me a password and told me to take it home and wait 2 days and then try to log into the Login.gov account again. The password yielded me the same response I initially received. It said that I could not connect to the login.gov account with the social security number I entered.
I then decided to email the Social Security Administration and requested help with the Login.gov account. It took a week to get a response and it did not address the issue. It states that Once your account creation is successful, you will be automatically redirected to the mySocialSecurity terms of service prior to accessing your account. So SS never addressed the problem at all.
It seems that numerous people are in the same boat and they haven’t informed their agents about it. At least inform the public that you are aware of the problem.
S.S.
Hello, Dee. Thank you for reading our blog. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you and your wife to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
Terri B.
I need to sign up for Medicare, but can’t set up an account because I get a message that I already have an account. But I found no way to re-set an account, and no one to contact for help. This has been a very frustrating 4 hours!
Earl
I cannot figure out how to change my phone number. I’ve tried Several times to find where to go with no luck. Aggravating to say the least.😡
Joyce F.
Hi Earl,
Did you try going to your”Profile” on your My Social Security page? That worked for me.
S.S.
Hello, Earl. Thank you for reading our blog. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you and your wife to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.