The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Friday that customers who created “my Social Security” accounts before Sept. 18, 2021, will need to transition to a Login.gov account to continue to access their online services.
Those who created accounts before Sept. 18, 2021, can use a username and password to log in, but the agency wants these accounts to transition to Login.gov to streamline the sign-in experience. SSA said over five million of these account holders have already transitioned to Login.gov.
“my Social Security is a safe and secure way for people to do business with us,” Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley said in a July 12 press release. “We’re excited to transition to Login.gov to access our online services, streamlining the process and ease of use for the public across agencies.”
my Social Security accounts are free and allow users to manage their benefits, request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, and more.
SSA is encouraging account holders to sign in to their accounts now, where they will then “be presented with an option to easily transition to Login.gov.”
For those who created an account before Sept. 18, 2021, and still use a username to sign in, the sign-in portal warns these account holders that “starting September 2024, these accounts will be retired.” Existing Login.gov or ID.me account holders do not need to take any action.
Login.gov is the platform that the General Services Administration offers to Federal agencies to meet Federal cybersecurity requirements and serves as a single sign-on source for the American public to use when accessing government services.
The platform acts as a “front door” to the Federal government, serving more than 40 agencies and over 100 million users.