Changes Are Coming to How You Access Social Security’s Online Services
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: January 22, 2025
We’re making changes to the way you access Social Security’s online services, including your personal my Social Security account. The changes will simplify your sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards. At the same time, we’re continuing to provide safe and secure access to our online services.
If you created your my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, you will still be able to use your username and password to sign in. However, you will not be able to do so for much longer.
In the near future, all users will need to have an account with one of our two Credential Service Providers (CSP) – Login.gov or ID.me – to access your personal my Social Security account and other online services.
To learn more, read our press release. If you have an existing Login.gov or ID.me account, you do NOT need to create a new one. And, if you can access your personal my Social Security account through Login.gov or ID.me, you don’t need to take any action.
If you don’t have a Login.gov account
To avoid any disruptions in accessing Social Security’s online services you may want to transition your account now by signing in with your Social Security username. Our online instructions will guide you through the process of creating a new account with Login.gov. Once you successfully link your personal my Social Security account with your new Login.gov account, you’ll get a confirmation screen and have immediate access to our online services. In the future, you’ll sign in to your account with Login.gov and not your Social Security username.
Login.gov offers 24/7 customer phone and chat support to answer your questions.
We encourage you to make the transition to Login.gov or ID.me now before the username option goes away later this year.
You’ll find more helpful information here.
Please share these important upcoming changes with your family members, friends, and colleagues.
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, online services
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Judy
It doesn’t work.
CL
I could not get this to work. I only have a VOIP landline…no cell phone…and it would not accept my phone number for verification. Now what? Senior citizens find this confusing and very frustrating. Just let us sign in the way we have been. That works for most of us.
Sandra S.
I finished everything as asked and now I must wait up to 15 days for a letter to arrive in the mail with authentication? So I’m unable to log in currently. This is frustrating to say the least as I’ve been able to log in for a few years now.
Margaret E.
Change occurring “soon”. What the heck does that mean? Give a clear deadline!!!! I already am in login.gov, but I need to help someone else long distance and I have no idea how fast I have to find someone to facilitate this!!!
KP
I wish this system could sent the verification code to a VOIP phone number. With the phone companies abandoning copper lines and going to VOIP lines, I suspect many of us are going to run into this problem. My home phone- VOIP does not receive text messages. I do not currently have a cell phone- I can’t afford one right now.
Curt T.
This is confusing. I get to a point in creating the Login.gov account that it asks me for an authorization code I was emailed. I in fact did not get such a code. So I said no and I had to re-enter all my personal info. This makes no sense and could be a security issue. Why am I being asked for my SS number? Crazy!!!!!
Kathy S.
Just tried to do this and not user friendly. It did not work.
Unknown U.
This sounds like the tyranny used in China.
After a period when no other people are signed up for a Digital ID there’s a good chance it will become mandatory for all.
With this type of control the gov will add your bank accounts followed by Digital currency that access can be turned off from you.
It starts here because benefits are being held here.
Think about that.
Bryant S.
Contact your representative in Congress. Complain about this ridiculous, unnecessary nonsense. Ask your Congress-Person to intervene and put a stop to it.
RickJ
In the same paragraph it says you don’t need to take action and also you’ll be locked out soon. It’s really pathetic how these bureaucrats have to justify their existance and then don’t even have the ability to explain their own policies. Add to this the fact that every person is bombarded with scams every single day and we’re warned about responding to them. Our govt. is in sad way and that’s not a political statement, both parties suck.
David K.
I tried this a month ago and couldn’t get it to work. What if I’m locked out of my current account? I understand that changes must be made for security reasons, but in typical government fashion you’ve made it overly complex. Consider that the end users are older and elderly.
Shaukat
David:
I agree with you 100%.
I live outside the USA and log in .gov requires a US address so I gave up after a lot of stress.
Also do not understand how to set up security app
Very challenging for old retirees.
Kevin
Shakuat:
I live outside the states and I finally have access to my Social Security online. It’s great to not have to rely on the FBU to access my account and make changes or updates. It was difficult, took time and determination.