Millions of people who get Social Security will soon have to use a new login method to keep getting to their online account information. The Social Security Administration (SSA) just recently said that people who made their My Social Security accounts before September 18, 2021, will need to switch to a Login.gov account in order to keep using online services.
The SSA says that everyone will need either a Login.gov or ID.me account to get to their Social Security information and other online services that are connected. Over 5 million account holders have already switched to the new system using two-step authentication and don’t need to make a new account.
However, about 46 million users still haven’t made the switch to Login.gov, and they don’t have much time left before the deadline that the SSA has tentatively set for September.
Reasons to make the swap of the My Social Security account
The SSA’s representative stressed that the transition is still early and that the agency’s first focus is public awareness. “We are currently in the beginning stages of this transition process, and our current goal is to notify the public about these upcoming changes; as such, we have not set a final deadline for these remaining accounts to transition to Login.gov,” the spokesperson said
For My Social Security users eager to switch, the process is simple. If they use their existing credentials, they can switch to Login.gov. Selecting this option will confirm their account link. Users will still have access to My Social Security, making the transition as smooth as possible.
The SSA hopes this measure will relieve a “customer service crisis.” Long phone support wait times are a key issue for the agency. In April, the average wait time for SSA 800 callers was 24 minutes, down from 42 minutes in November. By September 2025, the organization hopes to cut this wait time to 32 minutes.
In a statement this week, Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley, a leading proponent of agency changes, stressed the necessity of this shift. He replied, “My Social Security is a safe and secure way to do business with us. We’re thrilled to switch to Login.gov for online services, simplifying the process for the public across agencies.”
Free My Social Security accounts are available to beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. Users can apply for and manage benefits, request Social Security card replacements, estimate future benefits, and monitor benefit application status through these accounts. SSA’s shift to Login.gov is part of a larger effort to improve security and user experience, making agency interactions more efficient.
The SSA is expected to provide more specific instructions and dates as the transition progresses to enable users. The initial stages focus on awareness, but the agency may set a final date for the shift. To minimize disruptions in Social Security benefits and services, concerned individuals should switch to Login.gov and acquaint themselves with the new system.