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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Dennis S.
How do I stop my withholdings on my Social Security benefits?
S.S.
Hi, Dennis. It sounds like you are referring to changing your tax withholdings. To change your withholding amount from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you will select “want you to stop withholding federal income tax from my payment(s)”. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
Nelma S.
I have made multiple attempts to do online services. I am getting messages that my ss# is not valid or that my code number has expired.
I need someone to assist me on being able to log onto online services. I received a letter 2 days ago stating that my Medicare benefits were approved. I now need to access my information.
please help.
S.S.
Hello, Nelma. 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. 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.
David J.
Every time I try to log into my account using my valid login.gov info I get this message: ” Tell us if you requested an activation code
This code is different from the security code you just verified. Activation codes may be received by text, voice, postal mail, or at an office. Did you receive an activation code?
This code may begin with an A (Example: A-12345678) or a number (Example: 12345678).”
I didn’t request an activation code and it doesn’t matter if I answer yes or no, I get directed to input my personal info and then I’m told that I already have an account. Of course I do, I’m trying to access it but am no longer able to. I feel like a dog chasing my tail! Help!!!!
S.S.
Hello, David. 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. 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.
Vicki
I haven’t been able to login to my SSA account since last Friday. It just keeps going in a loop and going back to the same login screen. Is there an issue with your website?
S.S.
Hello, Vicki. 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.
Amber
Hello,
I am trying to log in to finish my SSI disability application but all it does is takes me to a screen after logging in that states ” Closed due to inactivity” and says hit next to restart. It just does it over and over
S.S.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Amber. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak with a supervisor during your next call or visit. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this is resolved soon.
Larry M.
How to change authentication phone number for use with Login.gov
T.Y.
Hi, Larry. 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. 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. 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.
Richard G.
I have tried for 3 days to access records, the login.gov access code I received and entered into the secure login shows not correct.
T.Y.
Hi, Richard. 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.
EDWARD W.
Received my activation code letter dated 9-19-24 and have been trying every day since beginning 10-1-24 to 10-6-24 to complete the log-in process but keep getting the same msg from SSA that it can’t process my request at this time after using LOGIN.GOV to access SSA. The code does have an expiration date, so when will SSA be able to process LOGIN.GOV access so I can complete the verification process?
T.Y.
Hi, Edward. 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. 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. 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.
David
I’m kinda stuck. I’m a US citizen, on SS benefits, living in Thailand. I have established a Login.gov ID, however, I can’t get past the verification part. I provided my email, my Texas drivers license, my SSAN, and my US address as it is listed with SSA. I receive messages that they can’t verify who I am. I get stuck in this endless loop when I sign in at ssa.gov, use Login.gov as the method, I get in, then I get some weird message asking if I requested an access code, to which I reply “NO”, and then it sends me to the verification page. I think Login.gov uses credit bureau info to verify, which is pretty dumb for someone who has lived overseas for more than 2 decades and hasn’t engaged in a credit transaction for even longer. You’d think that verifying my SSAN, along with the address that’s on file with SSA, would be pretty much all that’s need to prove who I am. Any suggestions to navigate this murky swamp?
Beth F.
I have an older account, utilizing the social security username.
Yesterday, my husband created his first account, utilizing the LogIn.gov site.
We both use the same email address.
Now, when I want to log in, I cannot and am getting the message that I should not try to create 2 separate accounts.
We do NOT want to create another email address as we tried that for something else a long time ago and it only lead to an huge amount of confusion and frustration.
Is it not possible for both of us to have/use the same email address?
EDWARD W.
I’ve learned that you each have to have a separate email address associated with each SSA account. Same phone number is OK, but not email address. You each need to have a separately identifiable one.
T.Y.
Thank you for yout question and for reading our blog, Beth. 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.