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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by u.
This website now deliberately declines the authentic login and password credentials associated with SSA.gov – forces ID.me and resoundingly rejects those 3rd pty NGO credentials as well and tops that off by locking the account without recourse. There is zero reason to avoid aligning users with the ability to update password or validate their credentials outside the 3rd pty NGO mechanism that erroneously and perpetually obstructs authentic user access. Clearly an audit needs to be done to reassess these inefficient, inadequate and dysfunctional protocols that put end users at risk.
Keith
Under “My Preferences,” I am tols to select a preference, but only one option is given: “email only.” Since I would like both email AND text notifications, I did not select the button for email only. However, when I clicked “Save and Continue,” I am told I must select a preference. How can I do this if I am given only one choice?
Kathy B.
How do I print my benefit letter? I have adobe app I am on my iPhone It won’t allow me to pick the adobe file with my benefits letter
GUIDO Y.
The last time I logged in was several years ago and I don’t remember my user ID and password. Need help.
Thank you..
C.B.
Hi. 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. 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. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. 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.
Robin W.
I am unable to access my account since I got a new phone. By error I created another account on ID me.now it tells me I have duplicate accounts and therefore cannot log in .I am unable to delete the ID me account. What do I do
Christopher S.
I can’t access my account got a new phone number
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Christopher. If you are having problems receiving 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.
T.Y.
Hello, Robin. 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 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 the ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this information helps.
Rose J.
I’ve tried to make an account and it tells me that one cannot be created for my social security number.
martin c.
I am no longer able to access my account some one told me that I can not used the same email address with my wife even though I used different email changed password still went back to login page this happens since last year I called waiting for 120minutes as recorded voices I finally gave up, any solutions please help.
C.B.
Hello, Martin. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing your online account. However, someone told you correctly because each person must set up their own account with their own personal email address – not an email that you share with someone else. Please try calling our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213 again, noting that wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. Then, 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 information helps.
No n.
USELESS!
Katie S.
I’m trying to verify my identity to give myself online access to online services; however, I am unable to proceed further because I do not have a 10-digit phone number. There are no options for international phone numbers or simply no phone numbers at all.
T.Y.
Hi, Katie. Thanks for reading our blog. You can access your personal my Social Security account by registering and signing in with ID.me. If you don’t have an ID.me account, you can visit my Social Security | SSA and select “Sign in with ID.me” to get the process started. Check out our Office of Earnings and International Operations page for more information. We hope this helps.
Diana
I cannot access my account. No one answ
Diana H.
No one answers the phone. I cannot access my account. Please help. Thank you
C.B.
Hi, Diana. 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. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. We hope this information is helpful.