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
Comments
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susan B.
I AM TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO HELP ME. SOMEONE KEEPS CHANGING MY EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER BUT I DONT HAVE THE FULL NUMBER….JUST THE LAST 4 NUMBERS SO IT WONT GO THREW TO THE FRAUD DEPT.
T.Y.
Hi, Susan. Social Security takes reports of fraud very seriously. If you suspect fraud learn what information you need to submit a report here. We hope this information helps.
Rose
It looks like I am not the only one having problems getting logins to work. I have tried over 2 dozen times and still no such luck. Why are they trying to fix what work to something everyone is having problems with?
Joann M.
I have gone in to sign up for the new, required log-in, however EVERY time I have input my information, I get the spinning circle saying : Processing, please wait. I have left it spinning for minutes, and it never progresses to the next page. Never going to be able to get in to see my Social Security information using the new system.
T.Y.
Hi, Joann. 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, check out 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.
Cheri D.
I’m having problems logging into my online account
T.Y.
Hi, Cheri. Thank you for reading our blog. 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 hope this helps.
Dennis M.
I cannot find a way to email SSA. I cannot log into SSA online. I have sat on hold most of the day for two days without my call being answered.
T.Y.
Hello, Dennis. Thank you for reading our blog. We apologize for the call wait times you’ve experienced and understand how frustrating that can be. We are working to improve our wait times and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form, which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. For more information about how to contact us, please visit our Contact Us webpage. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
Averylin P.
Called SSA and I have been on hold 2 hours and 47 minutes. This is unacceptable! The message received with the first call was the wait time was long and the call was disconnected. I sent an email about the log in issue and have yet to receive a response of any type which is also unacceptable. No one should have to go through such difficulties to receive assistance.
T.Y.
Hello, Averylin. Thank you for reading our blog. We apologize for the call wait times you’ve experienced and understand how frustrating that can be. We are working to improve our wait times and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, please complete our Feedback Form, which will give our team a better understanding of how we can improve our processes. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
Rena L.
I use the “sign in with login.gov. I am sent a passcode and immediately enter it but the screen keeps looping me back to the sign in screen. I got an email from you to look at the latest message, but I cannot access my account. I have also cleared browsing history and cache but still cannot gain access.
T.Y.
Hello, Rena. Thank you for reading our blog. If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.
James G.
I used IDme with my employers assigned email address for me. After I left this job, I was still able to sign-in to Social Security using my original work email address with 2-factor authentication, and it worked fine. Sadly, I am finding it very difficult to access my Social Security account using this IDme and don’t know how to proceed, aside from calling for assistance.
T.Y.
Hi, James. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need to change your personal my Social Security account email address, please log in to your personal my Social Security account with your username and password. When prompted for the security code, indicate that you no longer have access to that email. Follow the on-screen instructions and request a reset code, which will be sent by U.S. mail to your verified address. We hope this information helps.
Deanna S.
I’m having trouble logging into my account. I already set up Login.me. I have a new phone and new number so I haven’t been able to log in.
T.Y.
Hi, Deanna. Thank you for reading our blog. If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.
Sammi
I can’t log in to my account. Never had a problem and it has not been that long since I got into it.
T.Y.
Hi, Sammi. Thank you for reading our blog. 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 hope this helps.