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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Diane
My daughter that has special needs already has a Login.gov account using my husband’s email address. I’m attempting to create a Login.gov account for my husband now that it is a requirement and it will NOT let me use the same email address. What do I need to do?
S.S.
Hello, Diane. 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.
Jean M.
I’ve been able to access my information for years and now I can’t. I’ve been locked out twice now and this last time was because I was trying to reset my password. Why did you have to change this?
S.S.
Hi Jean. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 if you are locked out of your my Social Security username/password account, if you have a security freeze/fraud alert on your credit report, or if you want to change your Multi-Factor Authentication method. Our 800# is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.
tara g.
I am trying to change my name on my social security card I got married it’s been 30 days it’s been a year I have my certified marriage license I have my ID I did this once and expired after 30 days now I cannot figure out how to log back in please help
S.S.
Hi Tara. Thank you for reading our blog and for your question. If you legally changed your name because of marriage, you can notify Social Security by requesting a replacement SSN card with your correct legal name. You will need evidence of your identity, your new legal name, and name change event. Sometimes you also may need to prove your current U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status. To change your name online, visit our Social Security Number and card page. For more information about name changes click here. We hope this information is helpful.
dorothy c.
What a royal screw up this is. I am a rep payee and received a disability update report ssa-455. I always do reports online. I went to the link and the report was there but it said create a log.in/gov ID. I did that and got a new id and password. Now the report is no longer there and my former Id info no longer works. There is supposed to be a link on the right hand side under the beneficiaries name to file this report. The beneficiaries name is there, Other links are there but not the Disability update link. I finally found a report form but it is not a fill in one and is grayed out. It keeps telling me to sign the consent form but Every time I do, when I go back to the form it is no longer signed. I had to call and now need a new form sent to me by snail mail, no email allowed. I hope the SSA plans on extending the time frame to file reports.
Joe
Thus is not user friendly nor doe it helps to create an account
Jeanne
My husband and I share an email address. LogIn.gov, will not allow me to setup/signin as it says there is already an account with that email address. How do I get access to my Social Security Account?
S.S.
Hello, Jeanne. 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.
Dana G.
Tried to sign up today and it won’t let me use my email account, that I share with my spouse, because it has already been used. Duh!, yes by my spouse. Does that mean I do not have the right to access because we have one email address?
T.Y.
Hello, Dana. 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 hope this helps.
Alice I.
alicelynn1967@gmail.com
Thomas A.
Trying to set up my Login.gov account from my existing SS account. Your system will not send me a code to log into my existing account.
T.Y.
Hello, Thomas. 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. 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.
Starla R.
I keep doing what you say, but I still cannot get my direct deposit changed.