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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Brian
I am trying to apply for retirement benefits through the ssa.gov website. When I get to the Apply for benefits page, I get an error stating the following…
There is 1 error on the page.
Please correct the error marked with a ERROR.
Error: Disability
I have verified that all of the fields are correct prior to this error. I have spoken to service rep and he stated that I am applying to early for benefits which is not the case…I want benefits to start in January 25. I need help.
S.S.
Hi, Brian. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You can apply for retirement benefits 4 months before you want your Social Security to begin. You can complete the online application in as little as 15 minutes. We hope this helps.
Keith B.
I forgot an answer to one of my security questions. I would like to update them
T.Y.
Hello, Keith. Thank you for reading our blog. If you still need assistance, we offer different ways to reset your password. You can call our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “How can I help you today?” please say “Help Desk” for help to access my Social Security account. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Candice Y.
I need help. I have a user name but do not remember my password. When I ask for help forget password with my user name the system said we can not verify the information you provide. I believe I need to change my account over to Login.gov but I am not able to do it without getting in to my original account. I also need to change my email address from business to personal.
S.S.
Hi Candice. Thank you for reading our blog. We understand your frustration. 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.
Lelis A.
How can you update or create the new account if you are out of the country?
S.S.
Hello Lelis. Thank you for reading our blog. Since you are living outside the United States you can transition to a Login.gov account. We encourage you to review restrictions concerning international phone numbers on Login.gov’s website before transitioning or creating an account. You can also choose to create an account with ID.me following the instructions on our Service Around the World webpage. Many online services can now be accessed overseas with an ID.me account. We hope this helps.
Michael N.
Emailed you on 9/9/24 about not being able to link my account with Login.gov I need help to fix this problem.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog Michael. 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.
Tillie P.
When I sign in to Login.com It simply bring up personal details. The only blue line says
Go to SSA
Whe I click on it ====It sends me back to sign in on Login.com or the other one.
So frustrating! Tried many times = Will not let me go to SSA for my benefitds
S.S.
Hi Tillie. Thank you for reading our blog. We understand your frustration. 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.
Jan P.
Michael,
I contacted login.gov as you suggested. I was instructed my login.gov account is set up correctly. When I try again to go to SS.gov and use the login.gov this is the message I receive: We cannot create an account for the social security number you entered. For further assistance, please contact use.
Marilyn F.
I tried to access my information on the social security site. I get in, but can’t access any of my information.
Are there issues with the site?
Also… since making the switch to the new process of accessing my accounts, can only get in using my phone. Neither myself or my husband can access on our computer. It blocks us. Any suggestions?
S.S.
Hi, Marilyn. 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.
Shirley T.
I am attempting to access my account. The problem is if I can’t, I do know my username. I do know my own SSN. I do know my own birthday. It does not tell me what format it wants my SSN in. Does it want dashes? Does it want no spaces? I’m not sure but I put in all this information and it says I cannot confirm the information even though I know it was the correct information. Very frustrating.
S.S.
Hi, Shirley. 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.
Jeffrey
Social security sucks donkey dongs
Hilary G.
I can’t get in to my ssi account or my id account or my login account & I need to apply for SSI I was just diagnosed with stage 4/5 skin cancer.
S.S.
Hi, Hilary. 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.
If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment to apply for SSI, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information on Supplemental Security Income, read our publication, What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income. We hope this helps.
Deborah
This is Sept. 10 and I was to get a call back on the 9th. Trying to report my husbands death.