Edit in JSFiddle

function changeInputType(inputId, type) {
    var input = $("#" + inputId);
    $(input).replaceWith($("<input />").val(input.val()).attr("placeholder", input.attr("placeholder")).attr("id", inputId).attr("type", type));
}

$("#show-ps").change(function() {
    if ($(this).attr("checked")) {
        changeInputType("password", "text");
    } else {
        changeInputType("password", "password");
    }
});

if ($("#show-ps").attr("checked")) {
    changeInputType("password", "text");
}

form{margin:50px;}

      <form class="login" action="foo">
        <input id="username" type="text" placeholder="Name" />
        <input id="password" type="password"  placeholder="Password"/>
        <input id="submit" type="submit" value="Login" />
        <br />
        <label for="show-ps"><input id="show-ps" type="checkbox" />Show your pass</label>
    </form>