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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Wasiu O.
After using up the backup codes (authentication) for accessing my account, I have not received another batch, and I can no longer access my account. How do I generate another batch of backup codes?
T.Y.
Hi, Wasiu. Thank you for reading our blog. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this information is helpful.
Janelle U.
I am 77 never had a account. I started at 62 drawing.
Michael W.
“There is a deadline, but we’re not going to tell you when it is.”
Catalina P.
On 8/19/24 I created my new account on Login.Gov. I was given a list of “Backup Codes” to use each time I logged in. Today, 8/31/24, I tried to sign in and am asked to have my “Activation code” that was supposedly sent to me in the mail. I am unable to access my account when I need it right now.
I am told to sign in and then suddenly I’m on the “create an account” instead.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Catalina. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing your online account. 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.
George A.
I need information
T.Y.
Hi, George. 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.
S.L.
Waited two weeks for activation code to be mailed to me.
When I put it in, it said it expired. I thought I may have typed it in wrong so I typed it in again. On the third try, it locked me out of SSA. Never have had one problem with user password system until now you forced this upon us.
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, S.L. 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.
Maria
Easy transition , quick and simple.
Randell E.
I’m trying to change my check to Charlie instead of directexpress ,but I. Having problem doing it . Can u help me do that or show me how to do it please!!!!!
S.S.
Hi, Randell. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you receive Social Security benefits, you can change your direct deposit information online with your personal my Social Security account. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to update your bank information. To learn more, check out Direct Deposit Information. We hope this helps.
NT
New System is impossible to workwith. I could not log in. It is sending me back to same thing again and again. I already have login.gov id and password and linked my SS account but when i try to log into SS account, it is keep on asking, if i had requested activation code. When I answer no, it just sends me back to login page!!
Melvin L.
I can’t complete the login. gov registration. I live overseas and have a local address and phone number. The old system was much easier to sign in. can the one time be sent to my email address?
T.Y.
Hi, Melvin. Thank you for reading our blog. You can access your personal my Social Security account by registering and signing in with ID.me. If you don’t have an ID.me account, you can visit here and select “Sign in with ID.me” to get the process started. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. If you’re overseas and have a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please contact ID.me support. We hope this helps.
Yvonne S.
I haven’t been able to even log in to my account in months. I never got a code that it keeps asking me about. I’ve even tried deleting my account, waiting, and recreating a new account. Still can’t get in. So infuriating!