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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Robert R.
It took me 4 hours to get my SSA moved to Login.gov. Then my wife and I tried to do the same with hers. NOT SUCCESSFUL! I am an intelligent, computer savvy individual with four college degrees including a PhD. Who set up this impossible process? Fire them; they should not be wasting my tax money.
Kathy T.
ERROR CODE IS ALL YOU GET!!
Charles E.
I have been unable to log into my social security account for about 4 days now. i have a id.me account and my wife has a login.com account, neither of us can not access our accounts…is there an issue with the web site or is it something else ?? Please Advise
S.S.
Hello Charles, Thank you for reading our blog. If you need help with transitioning your account, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). 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.
Bill W.
add me to the list of concerns–worthless system–who signed off on it.
Deborah P.
what is the phone number for the Savannah, GA office
S.S.
Hi, Deborah. Thanks for reading our blog and for your comments. To locate information on your local office, visit our Social Security Office Locator page. We hope this helps.
Ron M.
I’ve request an authentication code three times and have yet to receive one.
T.Y.
Hello, Ron. Thank you for reading our blog. It is possible that multi-factor text messages are blocked on your phone, or you have previously opted out of receiving text messages from Social Security. Please verify with your cellphone provider that text messages from Social Security are allowed. If you have previously opted out of our text messages by replying STOP, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.
Juan V.
I’m trying to see if my social security was updated my wife already has a .gov id but I didn’t we both use same email address.
S.S.
Hello, Juan. Thanks for reading our blog. 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 also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
P. F.
The sign in procedure is a joke.All you’ve done is insulate people from their account .I’ve had SS since 2015 and each year you’ve made it harder and harder to access one’s account, who’s the brainivac who thinks these hoops we have to jump thru are rational ? Within 2 weeks I’ll get my secret code so I can access my account. Glad you’ve decided the information I needed from my account can wait on the US mail service when and if it shows up. No wonder people hack your system,they’re probably just trying to get their account info. Actually I’m sure hackers can get to my info easier than I can. Can’t imagine how people who are not computer savy can deal with this quagmire of absurdity.
Laurel Y.
I have been locked out electronically after three unsuccessful attempts even though it seemed to be moving along finally.
Please reset my account.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Laurel. If you need help with transitioning your account, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). 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. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this helps.
Christine A.
FAIL!!! After an hour of trying to log in, (I would enter all my information only to be rerouted to the sign in page again and again), I was locked out. I had to wait for a code to be mailed to me. Well, now I have the Account Activation Code and it still will not log me in. The Activation Code is only good for a certain period of time until you have to start all over again. The wait time on the phone is 60 minutes. This is ridiculous!!!! Horrible service!!!
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Christine. If you need help with transitioning your account, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). 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. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this helps.