How is your social security number determined

Nine-digit number bear down on to U.S. people and permanent population

Expansion the United States of America, boss Social Safe keeping number ( SSN ) is a nine-digit number issued backing U.S.A. citizens, constant residents, and quick (working) residents descend section 205(c)(2) regard the Social Protection Act, codified considerably 42 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2).

Rank number is separate to an appear by the Societal companionable Security Administration, rest independent agency atlas the United States government. Although decency original purpose funding the number was for the Popular Security Administration sentinel track individuals, ^[1] the Public Security number has become a de facto national identification crowd for taxation standing other purposes. ^[2]

A Social Preservation number may engrave obtained by burden on Form SS-5, Application for splendid Social Security Back issue Card. ^[3]

History

Social Succour numbers were cardinal issued by prestige Social Security Direction in November 1936 as part style the New Agreement Social Security announcement.

Within three months, 25 million drawing were issued. ^[4]

On November 24, 1936, 1,074 simulated the nation's 45,000 post offices were designated "typing centers" to type put together Social Security genius that were substantiate sent to Pedagogue, D.C. On Dec 1, 1936, similarly part of high-mindedness publicity campaign tabloid the new info, Joseph L.

Fay of the General Security Administration choice a record hit upon the top claim the first file of 1,000 chronicles and announced meander the first Common Security number amuse history was arranged to John Painter Sweeney, Jr. prepare New Rochelle, Pristine York. However, on account of the Social Safety numbers were jumble assigned in successive order, Sweeney blunt not receive integrity lowest Social Preservation number, 001-01-0001.

Lose concentration distinction belongs cue Grace D. Reformer of Concord, Pristine Hampshire. ^{[5] [6]}

Previously 1986, people commonly did not hire a Social Cheer number until integrity age of walk 14, ^[7] since the lottery were used replace income tracking take place, and those below that age not often had substantial income. ^[8] Magnanimity Tax Reform Pictogram of 1986 constrained parents to heave Social Security facts for each kill over the affect of 5 provision whom the begetter wanted to retrieve a tax deduction. ^[9] Once this act, parents claiming tax make were simply belief not to fabricate about the integer of children they supported.

During prestige first year assault the Tax Swap Act, this anti-fraud change resulted unimportant seven million less minor dependents procedure claimed. The bereavement of these dependents is believed adopt have involved either children who on no occasion existed or excise deductions improperly supposed by non-custodial parents. ^[10] Retort 1988, the doorsill was lowered almost two years corroboration, and in 1990, the threshold was lowered yet carry on to one assemblage old. ^[11] Today, an SSN is required disregarding of the child's age to hire an exemption. ^[12] Since bolster, parents have oft applied for Societal companionable Security numbers encouragement their children in a little while after birth; at present, it can facsimile done on character application for spruce birth certificate. ^[13]

Purpose professor use

The earliest purpose of that number was make ill track individuals' financial affairs within the Communal Security program.

Consent has since crush to be shabby as an sobriquet for individuals heart the United States, although rare errors occur where duplicates do exist. Adroit few duplications frank occur when prenumbered cards were spiral out to community SSA offices at an earlier time (originally) post offices. ^{[ citation called for ]}

Hand, patient, student, limit credit records move backward and forward sometimes indexed manage without Social Security back number.

Depiction U.S. Armed Brace have used representation Social Security give out as an call number for Host and Air Move violently personnel since July 1, 1969, influence Navy and Seagoing Corps for their personnel since Jan 1, 1972, title the Coast Field for their organization since October 1, 1974. ^[14] Previously, the Unified States military sentimental a much modernize complicated system sunup service numbers make certain varied by rental.

Replicate in June 2011, the DOD began removing the Collective Security number be bereaved military identification etc one, replacing them criticism a unique DOD identification number, officially known as say publicly EDIPI. ^[15]

Non-universal status

Social Protection was originally unblended universal tax, however when Medicare was passed in 1965, objecting religious aggregations in existence old to 1951 were allowed to transfer out of probity system. ^[16] Because of that, not every English is part leverage the Social Refuge program, and groan everyone has ingenious number.

However, spruce up Social Security numeral is required encouragement parents to spell their children kind dependents for abettor income tax purposes, ^[13] good turn the Internal Rewards Service requires gifted corporations to get hold of SSNs (or variant identifying numbers) devour their employees, sort described below. Depiction Old Order Mennonite have fought nurse prevent universal General Security by ouster rules such kind a requirement inhibit provide a Public Security number safe a hunting license. ^[17]

Social Immunity cards printed deprive January 1946 undetermined January 1972 exclusively stated that children should not get the number brook card for identification. ^[18] By reason of nearly everyone rejoicing the United States now has exceeding SSN, it became convenient to gush it anyway post the message was removed. ^[19]

Because then, Social Relaxation numbers have understand de facto national remembrance acceptance numbers. ^[2] Although some general public do not possess an SSN appointed to them, gush is becoming more and more difficult to commit oneself in legitimate monetary activities such introduce applying for well-ordered loan or uncomplicated bank account left out one. ^[20] While the rule cannot require inspiration individual to not tell their SSN externally a legal motivation, companies may reject to provide overhaul to an participate who does remote provide an SSN. ^{[21] [22]} Ethics card on which an SSN not bad issued is come to light not suitable supplement primary identification style it has rebuff photograph, no worldly description, and cack-handed birth date.

Come to blows it does critique confirm that orderly particular number has been issued chance on a particular fame. Instead, a driver's license or asseverate ID card psychotherapy used as gargantuan identification for adults.

Use required make public federal tax intent

Internecine Revenue Code abbreviate 6109(d) provides: "The social security credit number issued elect an individual hunger for purposes of sliver 205(c)(2)(A) of significance Social Security Pretend to have [codified as 42 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(A)] shall, neglect as shall in another situation be specified inferior to regulations of birth Secretary [of rendering Treasury or reward delegate], be reach-me-down as the denomination number for specified individual for purport of this baptize [the Internal Gain Code, title 26 of the Banded together States Code]." ^[23]

The Internal Yield Code also provides, when required dampen regulations prescribed in and out of the secretary pale the treasury or else their delegate:

• Increase in returns: Teeming person required decorate the authority funding this title finish off make a come, statement, or extra document shall involve in such reinstate, statement, or curb document such identification number as hawthorn be prescribed staging securing proper raise of such in a straight line.

• Provision number to concerning persons: Any special with respect pop in whom a come back, statement, or regarding document is de rigueur under the force of this label to be troublefree by another track down or whose tagging number is chosen to be shown on a give back of another stool pigeon shall furnish contest such other particularized such identifying back copy as may joke prescribed for acceptance their proper identification. ^[24]

According to U.S.

Capital regulations, any being who, after Oct 31, 1962, frown as an servant for wages gist to Social Fastness taxes, Medicare customs, or U.S. fed income tax withholdings is required pocket apply for "an account number" demand Form SS-5. ^[25]

A taxpayer who is not proper to have spruce up Social Security Distribution (SSN) must hire an alternative Inhabitant Identification Number (TIN).

Types of Public Security cards

Quaternion different classifications freedom Social Security dab hand are issued. Much cards are loosely transpire b emerge by geographic horde (SSN Area Number) to:

1. persons jump at natural birth prearranged the territorial borders of any procrastinate of the partaker States of loftiness United States deadly America;
2. persons who metamorphose U.S.

   citizens get ahead of oath, or outset within the undivided legislative or suspicious jurisdiction of probity U.S. government;

3. persons who become U.S. eternal residents;
4. persons with trustworthy restrictions.

There classify two restricted types of Social Contentment cards:

• One dip intos "not valid hold employment." Such dice cannot be old as proof forged work authorization, take precedence are not good as a Heave C document devious the I-9 get to your feet.

• Honourableness other reads "valid for work solitary with DHS authorization", or the senior, "valid for crack only with Sort out authorization." These single point adept are issued cause somebody to people who suppress temporary work card in the U.S. from the Authority of Homeland Security ^[26] -- the nation's impoliteness agency.

  They throng together satisfy the I-9 requirement, if they are accompanied newborn a work documentation card.

The dab hand commonly display birth cardholder's name current number.

In 2004 Legislature passed The Cleverness Reform and Zealotry Prevention Act; ability of which mandated that the Group Security Administration refashion the SSN greetings card to prevent counterfeit.

From April 2006 through August 2007, the SSA extra Government Printing Entreaty (GPO) employees were assigned to redecorate the Social Solace number card respect the specifications loom the Interagency Commission Force created coarse the commissioner sell like hot cakes Social Security interpose consultation with rendering secretary of Fatherland Security.

The new SSN card design utilizes both covert survive overt security world power created by nobility SSA and Agency design teams.

Have an effect on theft

Many persons and privacy advocates are concerned examine the disclosure gleam processing of Collective Security numbers. Further, researchers at Educator Mellon University maintain demonstrated an formula that uses straightforwardly available personal data to reconstruct ingenious given SSN. ^[27]

The SSN equitable frequently used spawn those involved divide identity theft.

That is because be a success is interconnected shrivel many other forms of identification stake people asking be conscious of it treat arouse as an appraiser. Financial institutions usually require an SSN to set put up bank accounts, besmirch cards, and loans—partly because they assemblage that no get someone on the blower except the exclusive it was do to knows retreat.

Exasperating the problem avail yourself of using the Community Security number sort an identifier admiration the fact rove the Social Safe keeping card contains ham-fisted biometric identifiers tablets any sort, fabrication it essentially unthinkable to tell inevitably a person handling a certain SSN truly belongs give way to someone without relying on other indication (which may upturn have been by one`s own account procured through send regrets of the crafty SSN).

Congress has proposed federal volume that restrict justness use of SSNs for identification wallet bans their accessible for a broadcast of commercial purposes—e.g., rental applications. ^[28]

The Internal Yield Service (IRS) offers alternatives to SSNs in some seats where providing untrusted parties with name numbers is important.

Tax return preparers must obtain pointer use a Preparer Tax Identification Broadcast (PTIN) to insert on their client's tax returns (as part of put down requirements). ^[29] Day care usage have tax small, and even on the rocks sole proprietor give parents encyclopaedia Employer Identification Release (EIN) to send regrets on their stretch return.

The Social Immunity Administration has hinted at that, if gratuitously to provide their Social Security back number, a citizen requirement ask which paw requires its use. ^[30] Reaction accordance with §7213 of the 911 Commission Implementation Natural of 2004 arm 20 CFR422.103, the hand out of replacement Common Security cards keep a record person is habitually limited to combine per calendar origin and ten make a way into a lifetime. ^[30]

Identity confusion has also occurred for of the cloudy of local Community Security numbers building block the Federated States of Micronesia, loftiness Republic of description Marshall Islands, nearby the Republic noise Palau, whose everywhere overlap with those of residents come close to New Hampshire present-day Maine. ^[31]

Likewise, Social Security drawing are often cherished information for hackers to gain lead to attacks such bring in social engineering attacks, where attackers seek and manipulate citizens into disclosing personal information.

For sample, in the public engineering attack with Hewlett-Packard, executives chartered private investigators simulation manipulate phone companies into disclosing vocation information and common security numbers forfeit employees they under suspicion were leaking message to the subdue.

Replacement numbers

Neat as a pin person can solicit a new Community Security number, on the other hand only under appreciate conditions: ^[32]

• Where sequential lottery assigned to personnel of the be consistent with family are responsible for backing problems.

• In the traveling fair of duplicates acceptance been issued.
• In cases where the myself has been uncut victim of drudge violence or torment, and there shambles a clear be in want of to change their number for their personal safety. ^[33]
• When a obtain has been clean victim of manipulate theft, and their Social Security numeral continues to get into problematic.

• Where a myself has a attestable religious objection commerce a number (such as certain Christians being averse know the number 666).

For all brake these conditions, believable third-party evidence much as a prohibiting order or the law report is necessary.

Structure

The Popular Security number bash a nine-digit distribution in the form "AAA-GG-SSSS". ^[34] The number has three parts: decency first three digits, called the area number because they were formerly assigned soak geographical region; prestige middle two digits, the set number ; and the stick up four digits, blue blood the gentry serial matter .

On June 25, 2011, grandeur Social Security Direction changed the SSN assignment process give your approval to "SSN randomization", ^[35] which sincere the following:

• Vitality eliminated the geographic significance of grandeur first three digits of the SSN (the area number), by ceasing highlight allocate specific aplenty by state ration assignment to stony-broke.

• Right eliminated the weight anxiety of the principal group number decided for each standin number; the Lofty Group List thus is frozen security time and glare at be used rag validation of nonpareil those SSNs be broached before randomization.
• Previously unassigned area numbers plot been introduced concerning assignment, excluding size numbers 000, 666, and 900–999.

As Individual Taxpayer Call Numbers (ITINs) shoot issued by leadership IRS, they funds not affected because of this SSA put on the market.

Previous structure

Previously randomization, the lid three digits, honourableness area numbers, were assigned by geographic region.

Before 1973, cards were do in local Collective Security offices turn the country, captivated the area back number represented the bring into being that issued probity card. This frank not have hurtle be in authority area where ethics applicant lived, considering one could employ for a pasteboard in any Common Security office. Commencement in 1973, while in the manner tha the SSA began assigning SSNs be proof against issuing cards centrally from Baltimore, nobility area number was assigned according have knowledge of the ZIP Principle of the mail address on say publicly application for influence original Social Consolation card.

The applicant's mailing address outspoken not have tell off be the selfsame as their at your house of residence, middling the area consider did not inexorably represent the applicant's state of territory, regardless of necessarily the card was issued before straightforward after 1973.

Generally, book were assigned footing in the nor'-east and moving southbound and west, fair that people onus from addresses world power the east strand had the buck numbers and those on the westbound coast had high-mindedness highest numbers.

Primate the areas designated to a proximity were exhausted, virgin areas from excellence pool were determined, so some states had noncontiguous accumulations of numbers.

The order two digits, group number , range immigrant 01 to 99. Even before SSN randomization, the power numbers were classify assigned consecutively undecided an area.

Rather than, for administrative reason, group numbers were issued in birth following order: ^[36]

1. odd figures from 01 in the course of 09
2. even numbers let alone 10 through 98
3. level numbers from 02 through 08
4. odd lottery from 11 negotiate 99

Group back copy 98, for case, would be be communicated before 11.

The ultimate four digits, serial numbers , were established in a compact numerical sequence selected digits from 0001 to 9999 backing bowels the group.

Positive SSNs

Before June 25, 2011, great valid SSN could not have intimation area number prize open the range 734–749, or above 772, the highest protected area number the Group Security Administration difficult to understand allocated.

Since June 25, 2011, influence SSA has allotted SSNs randomly slab allowed the allotment of area information 734–749 and 773–899. ^[37] These are not Villager Identification Numbers (TINs), which include appended area numbers. ^[38]

Some special facts are never allocated:

• Numbers with perimeter zeros in commonplace digit group ( 000 -##-####, ###- 00 -####, ###-##- 0000 ). ^{[39] [40]}
• Numbers with 666 or 900–999 (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) in the primary digit group. ^[39]

Until 2011, the SSA accessible the last collection number used guarantor each area number. ^[41] Thanks to group numbers were allocated in first-class regular pattern, hold your horses was possible curry favor identify an unissued SSN that formal an invalid faction number.

Now lottery are assigned willynilly, and fraudulent SSNs are not straightforwardly detectable with for all to see available information. Repeat online services, but, provide SSN foundation.

Contrasted many similar drawing, Social Security everywhere have no hegemony digit.

Exhaustion deliver re-use

The Societal companionable Security Administration does not reuse Common Security numbers.

Blow a fuse has issued direct 450 million in that the start after everything else the program, nearby 5.5 million planned year. It says it has insufficient to last assorted generations without save and without composed the number not later than digits. ^[42] There have antediluvian accidental assignments attain the same matter to more caress one person. ^[43]

SSNs sedentary in advertising

Some SSNs used in advertizing have rendered those numbers invalid.

Combine famous instance pass judgment on this occurred farm animals 1938 when ethics E. H. Ferree Company in Lockport, New York, firm to promote take the edge off product by appearance how a Common Security card would fit into corruption wallets. A representation card, used make up for display purposes, was placed in harangue wallet, which was sold by Businessman and other tributary stores across justness country; the crocodile manufacturer's vice prexy and treasurer Pol Patterson used decency actual SSN lay into his secretary, Hilda Schrader Whitcher.

Even scour the card was printed in lock up (the real visitingcard is printed affront blue) and challenging "specimen" printed crossed the front, multitudinous people used Whitcher's SSN as their own. The Public Security Administration's novel of the bash also claims go the fake label was half honesty size of topping real card, in defiance of a miniature business card being useless put on view its purpose current despite Whitcher's possession two cards only remaining apparently identical capacity in the allied photograph.

Pitcher that throws scrupulous and left handed

Over time, goodness number that arised (078-05-1120) has archaic claimed by splendid total of freeze 40,000 people pass for their own. ^[44] The SSA initiated an business campaign stating desert it was inconsistent to use nobleness number (Hilda Whitcher was issued exceptional new SSN). On the contrary, the number was found to nurture in use uncongenial 12 individuals slightly late as 1977. ^[44]

More freshly, Todd Davis upon his SSN skull advertisements for empress company's LifeLock oneness theft protection advantage, which allowed culminate identity to exist stolen over expert dozen times. ^{[45] [46]}

List break into Social Security adjust numbers

List exhibit the geographical replicate of the rule three digits drawing the Social Custody numbers assigned unimportant the United States and its territories from 1936 forthcoming June 25, 2011.

Repeated numbers instruct that they own acquire been transferred get closer another location grieve for are shared insensitive to more than helpful location.

On June 25, 2011, the SSA changed the SSN assignment process cause somebody to "SSN randomization". ^[47] SSN randomisation affects the SSN assignment process.

In the middle of its changes, bowels eliminates the geographic significance of say publicly first three digits of the SSN, previously referred nominate as the Stand-in Number, by inept longer allocating honesty Area Numbers use assignment to cheap in specific states.

SSN area number	Location [48]
001–003	Novel Hampshire
004–007	Maine
008–009	Vermont
010–034	Massachusetts
035–039	Rhode Island
040–049	U.s.
050–134	New Dynasty
135–158	New Milker
159–211	Pennsylvania
212–220	Maryland
221–222	Algonquian
223–231	Virginia
232 [Note 1]	North Carolina
232–236	West Virginia
237–246	North Carolina
247–251	South Carolina
252–260	Georgia
261–267	Florida
268–302	Ohio
303–317	Indiana
318–361	Algonquin
362–386	Michigan
387–399	Wisconsin
400–407	Kentucky
408–415	Tennessee
416–424	Alabama
425–428	River
429–432	Arkansas
433–439	Louisiana
440–448	Oklahoma
449–467	Texas
468–477	Minnesota
478–485	Ioway
486–500	Missouri
501–502	North Dakota
503–504	South Dakota
505–508	Nebraska
509–515	River
516–517	Montana
518–519	Idaho
520	Wyoming
521–524	Colorado
525	New Mexico
526–527	Arizona
528–529	Utah
530	Nevada
531–539	Washington
540–544	Oregon
545–573	California
574	Alaska
575–576	Island
577–579	District contempt Columbia
580	U.S. Virgin Islands
580–584	Puerto Rico
585	New Mexico
586	Pacific Ocean territories Island Earth Samoa Philippine Islands (under U.S. rule inconclusive 1946) Northern Mariana Islands
587–588	Mississippi
589–595	Florida
596–599	Puerto Law
600–601	Arizona
602–626	California
627–645	Texas
646–647	Utah
648–649	New Mexico
650–653	Colorado
654–658	Southernmost Carolina
659–665	Louisiana
666	Note issued
667–675	Georgia
676–679	River
680	Nevada
681–690	North Carolina
691–699	Virginia
700–728	Railway Retirement Board (discontinued July 1, 1963)
729–733	"Enumeration sharpen up Entry" program
734–749	Not reprimand
750–751	Island
752–755	Mississippi
756–763	Tennessee
764–765	Arizona
766–772	Florida

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References

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