U.S. Department of Labor
Employee Benefits Security Administration

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Q0: How are EFAST2 credentials changing in 2023?

The EFAST2 website authentication process is being modernized in 2023. The existing method of logging in to the EFAST2 website with an EFAST2-issued UserID and password is being phased out. It is being replaced by the unified Login.gov single sign-on solution for U.S. Government websites. Login.gov allows people to securely log in to many Government services using the same username and password.

Beginning January 1, 2023, all new EFAST2 website accounts will be created using the Login.gov process.

Existing filers may use their EFAST2-issued UserID and password to log in to the EFAST2 website until September 1, 2023. However, existing filers may change to using a Login.gov account as early as January 1, 2023. This 8-month grace period provides a gradual transition.

You must log in to the EFAST2 website to obtain new electronic signature credentials for the Form 5500 Series, to file the Form PR, and to use the Form 5500 Series filing application (IFILE). Existing Form 5500 series filers using approved private software generally do not need to log in to the EFAST2 website.

EFAST2 website accounts for third-party software developers and transmitters will have an extended grace period until December 31, 2023.

Q1: Who needs to register to use EFAST2?

EFAST2 user credentials belong to the individual who obtains them. They cannot be shared. The following people may need to register for EFAST2:

  • Anyone who wants to complete the Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, or Form 5500-EZ and/or the schedules by using IFILE. Check the "Filing Author" and/or "Schedule Author" user type(s) when registering.
  • Anyone who needs to register as a pooled plan provider must complete the Form PR using IFILE. Check the "Filing Author" and "Filing Signer" user types when registering.
  • All plan sponsors, plan administrators, individuals signing for Direct Filing Entities, and plan service providers who have written authorization to file on behalf of the plan administrator under the EFAST2 e-signature option. Check the "Filing Signer" user type when registering. If an individual is signing a filing as the plan administrator or plan sponsor, that individual only needs to register once.
  • Some people who want to transmit completed filings through third-party software. Check the "Transmitter" user type. Contact your third-party software provider to determine if this is necessary.

Registration as a Filing Signer is required for individuals who will be electronically signing filings submitted to EFAST2. Upon registering, you will be issued the following credentials:

  • User ID (used to identify you)
  • PIN (used as your electronic signature)

Enrolled actuaries and accountants do not need to register as a Filing Signer to manually sign a Schedule SB, Schedule MB, Accountant's Opinion, or audit report filed with a Form 5500 Series.

Although you provide company information when registering, the credentials are personal and are not linked to a plan.

You do not need to register to access parts of the EFAST2 website that provide basic public disclosure and reference information.

Q2: How do I register for EFAST2 credentials?

From the EFAST2 website, click Sign In with Login.gov and follow the steps to Sign In or Create an Account at Login.gov. When you return to the EFAST2 website, you can complete your profile and receive your User ID and PIN.

  1. Click Sign in with Login.gov and complete the required registration and/or log in.
  2. After returning to the EFAST2 website from Login.gov, you can choose to Create an EFAST2 account if an existing account is not found for you.
  3. On the EFAST2 Registration page, click Continue.
  4. Read and accept the privacy statement.
  5. On the next screen, provide your profile information and select one or more user types. For example, someone preparing, signing, and submitting a filing through IFILE will choose Filing Author and Filing Signer. After verifying that the information you entered is correct, click Submit.
  6. You will be asked to accept the PIN Agreement, which describes the security of your PIN and what to do if your PIN is lost or stolen. You will also be asked to accept the Signature Agreement if you will be signing the filing.
  7. The Confirmation page displays your EFAST2 UserID and PIN, and your EFAST2 registration is complete.

Q3a: I don't have a Login.gov account. What do I need to do?

From the EFAST2 website, click Sign In with Login.gov and follow the steps to Create an Account.

  • On the EFAST2 login page, click Sign in with Login.gov.
  • On the Login.gov website, click Create an Account.
  • Enter an email address. Use the same email address that you use for EFAST2 if you have an existing EFAST2 account. Click Submit.
  • A message will be displayed to indicate that an email was sent to the given email address.
  • From the email, click Confirm Email Address.
  • On the Login.gov password page, create a strong password of at least 12 characters, and then click Continue.
  • On the Authentication Method Setup page, select any option from the list. For example, select the phone method to get security codes by text message (SMS) or phone call. Click Continue.
  • After adding an authentication method, click Agree and Continue.

Q3b: How do I sign in with Login.gov?

From the EFAST2 website, click Sign In with Login.gov and follow the steps to Sign In.

  • On the EFAST2 login page, click Sign in with Login.gov.
  • On the Login.gov website, enter your email address and password and click Sign In.
  • Enter the requested information on the authentication page and click Submit.
  • You must accept the Terms of Service to continue.
  • If you are logging in for the first time, you will be directed to the My Profile page to set up your Login.gov profile.

Q4: Do I have to use Login.gov to register or log in with EFAST2?

As of January 1, 2023, all new EFAST2 users must use Login.gov to obtain EFAST2 credentials and to log in to the EFAST2 website.

All existing EFAST2 users must transition to Login.gov to sign in to the EFAST2 website. To facilitate a smooth transition, existing EFAST2 users will be able to access their account using their current EFAST2 credentials for a limited period of time.

Existing EFAST2 users will have grace periods before being required to use Login.gov. The grace periods are based on user type.

  • Filing Authors, Schedule Authors, and Filing Signers must begin using Login.gov no later than 9/1/2023.
  • Transmitters and Third-Party Software Developers must begin using Login.gov no later than 12/31/2023.

Q5: My EFAST2 account has been locked. What should I do?

To reset your locked account, go to the EFAST2 website, select Sign In/Up on the Welcome screen, then select "Forgot Password." You will be prompted to enter either your User ID or your email address. Once you enter it, you will then be prompted to answer your challenge question.

You will have three attempts to provide your challenge answer correctly before your user account is temporarily revoked for up to 30 minutes. After the allotted time, you may attempt to answer the challenge question again.

Alternatively, click Sign In with Login.gov from the EFAST2 Login page to log in or create a Login.gov account. If the same email address is used at Login.gov, you can link your existing EFAST2 account to remove the EFAST2 password and challenge question/answer requirements.

If you do not wish to continue trying to answer your challenge question and do not want to link your existing EFAST2 account with Login.gov, you can call the EFAST2 Help Desk at 1-866-GO-EFAST (1-866-463-3278) and request to have your account permanently revoked. If your EFAST2 account is revoked, you will need to use the Sign In with Login.gov process to log in or create a Login.gov account prior to completing a new EFAST2 account profile.

Q6: I don't remember my User ID. How can I retrieve it?

If you have not linked your EFAST2 account to Login.gov, click Forgot User ID on the EFAST2 login page and enter the email address that you provided during registration. You will need to answer your challenge question to view your User ID.

If you have linked your EFAST2 account to Login.gov, then click Sign In with Login.gov. Once you return to the EFAST2 website, click View Your User ID and PIN from the Filing Summary page.

You can view or change your profile information by going to Your Account and clicking Profile & PIN.

Q7: I don't remember my password. How can I retrieve it?

If you have not linked your EFAST2 account to Login.gov, you may still use your EFAST2 password to log in. If you have forgotten your password, or if your password is locked, then click Forgot Password on the login page. To use the Forgot Password option, you must enter a valid User ID or registered email address. You must then answer your challenge question, and you will be allowed to create a new password.

Users who sign in with Login.gov do not need to use an EFAST2 password. An alternative to logging in with your EFAST2 password is to Sign In with Login.gov to link your EFAST2 account.

Q8: I don't remember my PIN. How can I retrieve it?

After logging in to the EFAST2 website, you may view or change your PIN and/or profile information by going to Your Account and clicking Profile & PIN.

Q9: What are the differences between a PIN, a password, and an ETIN?

An EFAST2 PIN is a four-digit number assigned to a registered user. It can be changed by using "Change PIN" on the User Profile page. Together with a User ID, the PIN is used to provide an electronic signature on a Form 5500 Series filing or a Form PR.

An EFAST2 password is at least eight characters and was used for EFAST2 registration prior to January 1, 2023.

Users who have not linked their EFAST2 account to Login.gov can change their EFAST2 password using Forgot Password on the login page, or by using Change Password on the User Profile page. Along with the EFAST2 User ID, the password is used to log in to the EFAST website.

Users who sign in with Login.gov do not need an EFAST2 password.

An EFAST2 ETIN is an Electronic Transmitter Identification Number. The ETIN, along with a PIN, is required for preparers to submit filings or batches of filings on behalf of others using EFAST2-approved third-party software. Filing Authors and Filing Signers do not use or need the ETIN.

Q10: How can I change the address, email address, or user types on my EFAST2 profile?

If you need to change your EFAST2 profile information, including the user type(s) that are associated with your User ID, first log in to the EFAST2 website.

Once you are signed in, go to Your Account in the navigation menu and select Profile & PIN. On the profile page, select Change Profile. Don't forget to save your changes when you are finished.

The EFAST2 User ID is a unique, system-generated ID that cannot be changed for an established account.

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Q12: I am not sure if I have already registered. How can I check?

If you are not sure whether you have an active EFAST2 account, click Forgot User ID on the EFAST2 login page and enter the email address that you believe you entered during registration.

  • If you have registered that email address, you will be prompted to answer your challenge question to view your EFAST2 User ID.
  • If you have not registered that email address, you will see an error indicating that this email address doesn't match what we have on file.

If you have an existing EFAST2 User ID, use Forgot Password to change your password and then log in. Alternatively, click Sign In with Login.gov to create or sign in to a Login.gov account that can be linked to your EFAST2 account.

Q13: I work for multiple companies, but the Company Name field will not let me enter both company names. How can I register for all my companies/plans?

The EFAST2 registration process does not provide a way to add multiple companies to a profile, and it is not necessary for you to do so. Although you provide employment information when registering, the credentials are personal and are not linked to a company or plan. The EFAST2 credentials can be used to identify the registrant for multiple years and on multiple filings.

EFAST2 registration allows only one active User ID per valid email account. Each person should need only one active registration.

Q14: What are User Types, and which should I choose?

Each user type has specific filing tasks associated with it. If the registrant will be performing multiple filing tasks, they may select multiple user types.

Filing Author: Filing Authors can complete Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ (including the accompanying schedules and attachments) and Form PR, submit the filing, and check filing status.

Filing Authors cannot sign filings unless they also have the "Filing Signer" role. If you are using EFAST2-approved third-party software instead of IFILE, you do not need to check this box.

Filing Signer: Filing signers are Plan Administrators, Employers/Plan Sponsors, or Direct Filing Entities who electronically sign Form 5500/5500-SF5500-EZ or Form PR. This role should also be selected by plan service providers that have written authorization to file on behalf of the plan administrator under the EFAST2 e-signature option.

No other filing-related functions may be performed by selecting this user role alone.

Schedule Author: Schedule Authors can complete one or more of the schedules that accompany Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ. Schedules created by a Schedule Author are not associated with a filing. For a schedule created by a Schedule Author to be used in a filing, the schedule must be exported. This exported file will then be imported by the Filing Author to the correct filing.

Schedule Authors cannot initiate, sign, or submit a filing. If the Filing Author is using EFAST2-approved third-party software instead of IFILE, you do not need to check this box.

Transmitter: Transmitters can transmit Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ filings to the EFAST2 system for processing on behalf of others. Transmitters are responsible for the security of all filing information prior to and during its transmission. A Transmitter can be a company, trade, business, or individual.

Third-Party Software Developer: Third-Party Software Developers make Form 5500 Series filing preparation or transmission software. They submit test cases using their software to the EFAST2 Participant Acceptance Testing System (PATS). The PATS Certification Team will then review their submissions and provide feedback or will approve and certify the software. A Third-Party Software Developer can be a company, trade, business, or individual.

Only Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ filings can be completed with a Third-Party Software Developer application. Form PR must be filed using IFILE.

Q15: Do I need to register each year?

No. EFAST2 credentials can be used to identify the registrant for multiple years and on multiple filings. You should only need to register one time.

Q16: Where can I find more information about EFAST2 credentials?

The EFAST2 website contains links to Frequently Asked Questions, User Guides, and instructions.

Q17: I am the new author/signer for the company and do not know the previous credentials. What do I do?

EFAST2 author/signer credentials are not linked to a specific plan or Employer Identification Number. The credentials belong to the individual who obtains them and are not transferrable.

You can view filings previously submitted for a plan through the EFAST2 website.

Please contact the EFAST2 Help Desk if you need more assistance.

Q18: Can I delete my account?

Yes.

To delete a Login.gov account, see the Login.gov website.

If you want to delete only your EFAST2 account but not your Login.gov account, contact the EFAST2 Help Desk.

Q19: Which email can I use for creating an account?

If you have an existing EFAST2 account, it is easiest if you use the same email address when creating your Login.gov account.

You will need access to that account to complete the Login.gov account creation.

We do not recommend using a shared email account for registration. EFAST2 registration is not linked to a specific plan or Employer Identification Number. EFAST2 user credentials belong to the person who obtains them and are not transferrable.

Q20: What is Login.gov?

Login.gov is a shared service that is trusted by Government agencies. With one Login.gov account, you can access applications from many participating Government partners.

Q21: Where can I get help with Login.gov?

See the Login.gov website.