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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Pauline E.
I tried to login three times and was locked out. It told me, “We cannot verify the information you provided.
Please correct your information and try again.” each time, before telling me I was locked out.
S.S.
Hi, Pauline. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. 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 also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Deborah G.
This was a nice way to apply.
Pauline E.
I filled out my info; then submitted and received this message, “We cannot verify the information you provided.
Please correct your information and try again.”
So how do I get in?
I only put the E in for my initial, since it doesn’t allow more than one.
S.S.
Hello, Pauline. 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. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Terry
Why can’t I get to my social security from login.gov
S.S.
Hello, Terry. 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. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Oscar
Easy access to my SS information.
Marsha A.
after i put in my ss# and verification code for the
second time it says its not valid
T.Y.
Hi, Marsha. 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 1-800-325-078). 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. 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.
ANNETTE U.
HOW DO I CHECK PAST EMPLOYMENT
T.Y.
Hello, Annette. Thanks for reading our blog. If you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you can create your personal my Social Security account to review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, get your Social Security statement, and check your earnings record. We hope this helps.
Richard G.
I created a my social security account many years ago. over time all of my email addresses and passwords have changed or are non existent. I don’t even know where to begin now. Do I set up a complete new account? If I try to change the password, the email address I have now did not even exist then in 2008. Is it possible to just set up a new account or do I need to go the social security office for help. I have tried resetting or forgot my password but its impossible, probably due to the original user name, email and pass word I used. Such a mess, can you give me step by step guidance???
S.S.
Hello, Richard. 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. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Sharon H.
How do I sign my husband up for Login.gov using our home email address when I have already set up my account using our home email? I get a message stating that an account has already been set up under that email.
S.S.
Hello, Sharon. 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 also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Robert W.
I transitioned to login.gov. It goes to a page with my information, additional validations steps possible, etc.
There is no link on this page that takes me to where I can check my Social Security benefits!
Please advise on what I am to do. Thank you. RWebb
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Robert. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.