Social Security number

Social Security number
Name	Social Security number
Caption	A modern Social Security card.
Country	United States
Issuing authority	Social Security Administration
Purpose	Tracking individuals for Social Security purposes and taxation.
First issued	November 1936

Social Security number. Issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA), this nine-digit identifier was created to track earnings and benefits for the U.S. Social Security program. Its use has expanded far beyond its original purpose, becoming a de facto national identification number for taxation, credit, and various government and private-sector functions. The number's ubiquity has made it a critical element of identity verification and a frequent target for fraud.

History and purpose

The creation of the number was authorized by the Social Security Act of 1935, a cornerstone of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation. The first numbers were issued in November 1936, with the first official card handed to John D. Sweeney, Jr. of New Rochelle, New York. Its original, singular purpose was to track workers' earnings and administer benefits under the new Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program. A pivotal expansion of its use came in 1961 when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began requiring it as a taxpayer identification number, cementing its role in federal administration. This shift was further solidified by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which required parents to list numbers for dependent children.

Structure and format

The identifier follows a three-part format: AAA-GG-SSSS. The first three digits, the Area Number, were originally assigned based on the geographic region of the applicant's mailing address, a system developed by the Social Security Administration. The middle two digits, the Group Number, were used to break sequences into manageable blocks for administrative purposes within each area. The final four digits, the Serial Number, represent a straight numerical sequence from 0001 to 9999 within each group. In 2011, the SSA adopted a randomization process to help protect integrity and extend the numbering system, eliminating the geographic significance of the Area Number for newly issued identifiers.

Issuance and administration

The Social Security Administration is the sole federal agency responsible for assigning numbers and issuing Social Security cards. Most U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are assigned a number in infancy upon application by their parents, often at the same time as registering a birth with a local vital records office. Noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security may also obtain one. The process involves submitting documentation, such as a U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization, to prove identity, age, and citizenship or immigration status to the SSA.

Uses and legal requirements

While created for a specific program, its use is now mandated by numerous federal and state laws. It is required for filing taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, applying for Medicare benefits, receiving Supplemental Security Income, and opening accounts with financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase or Bank of America. Employers must collect it for wage reporting to the IRS and for verifying work authorization via the E-Verify system. Many states also require it for issuing driver's licenses through their Department of Motor Vehicles and for applications to public universities like the University of California.

Identity theft and fraud concerns

The identifier's central role in financial and governmental systems has made it a prime target for criminals. Major data breaches at corporations such as Equifax and Target Corporation have exposed millions of numbers. Fraudulent use, known as identity theft, can involve opening credit lines, filing fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, or obtaining medical services. In response, Congress passed laws like the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998. The SSA and the Federal Trade Commission advise individuals to guard their number, monitor credit reports from the three major bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—and consider placing fraud alerts.

International comparisons

Many nations have similar national identification numbers, though their policies and integration vary widely. In Canada, the Social Insurance Number is used for government programs and taxation but its use by private entities is more restricted than in the United States. The United Kingdom uses a National Insurance number primarily for work, taxes, and benefits. Countries in the European Union, such as France and Germany, often employ robust national ID cards with embedded numbers, governed by strict data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which limit private-sector usage.

Category:Social Security (United States) Category:Identification numbers