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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Barbara H.
I am also having login problems with my Social Security Online Account. It says it cannot verify me and has locked my out. This is extremely frustrating! Help line is a joke.
S.S.
Hi, Barbara. 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 hope this helps.
Joe K.
I tried transitioning to the new format account and was not able to do so. Message received was incorrect password. I know the password to be correct as I then went to the SSA website and signed in.
Is this actually real or is it a fraudulent phishing attempt on a massive scale?
I was never even redirected to use my Activation Code.
S.S.
Hi Joe. Thank you for reading our blog. If you did not receive an authentication code, 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.
Hanitra
I cannot sign on my Social security to make the transition. The system does not send me a security code to my email address, not changed since I set up my account!!!!
Please help
S.S.
Hi Hanitra. Thank you for reading our blog. If you did not receive an authentication code, 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.
Diane R.
I need to add my sss account to my login.gov account. How can I do that? I am logged into my login.gov account but I can’t add sss to my connected accounts.
S.S.
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.
Antonio R.
I don’t remember the email address associated with my account; I need to login with my code. Can you help me resolve this matter?
S.S.
Hi Antonio. Thank you for reading our blog. If you did not receive an authentication code, 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.
Wende V.
I received an email stating that I would no longer be receiving my social security benefit statement in the mail and I have to go online. What about those elderly folks who cannot get their info online? This is unacceptable. Please, keep sending statement in the mail for those of us who need them in the mail.
T.Y.
Thanks for reading our blog, Wende. We mail paper Social Security Statements to workers who are 60 years or older if they do not receive Social Security benefits or have not created a personal my Social Security account. Workers should receive their Statements in the mail about 3 months before their birthday. If you don’t want to wait for your scheduled mailing you can request your Statement by mail. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for information. We hope this helps.
Lisa A.
Could you get my husband that passed in 2021 and see that I get the little owed to me for burial I Lisa lineberry did not receive his burial money u all help with I didn’t no tell this month that he should have had some burial from his social security and I was his wife for 36 yrs and that little bit would help
S.S.
We’re sorry for your loss, Lisa. Unfortunately, you must apply for the Lump-sum death payment within 2 years of your husband’s death. As his surviving spouse, you may also be able to receive monthly survivors benefits. To schedule an appointment, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Joseph R.
jnalley1@bellsouth.net
Kathryn
It takes a few tries to get the process correct.
Stanley W.
i cannot get my ssa account to transfer to login. gov. cant get anyone to help me either.
JessieM.
I also can’t access my ssa account. I get as far as phone text number to be sent without receiving the text. I tried numerous times.
Linda B.
I’m having the exact same problem, totally frustrating.
S.S.
Hello, Jessie. 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.
Linda B.
I’m having the exact same problem
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Stanley. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing your online account. 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. You may also contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov account. We hope this helps.
Randy S.
I am able to use ID.me to access but not all info is available using that signon. When I try to use existing Login.gov signon it treats me like I am wanting to create an entirely new SSA online account, which I dont. I already have one. Bummer. ID.me wont show security settings.
S.S.
Hi Randy. 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.
R.Raymond T.
I had to buy a new phone. my old phone was hacked and I can’t get access to my account on my new phone.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, R. Raymond. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing your online account. 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.