how long after birth is a social security number issued

Your Guide to What Social Security Numbers Mean

If you’ve ever applied for a job, loan, or credit card, you’ve probably been asked for your Social Security number. In many ways, your Social Security number is as much a part of you as your date of birth—it follows you from birth to death and can serve as a key to your sensitive information.

It’s clear that having one is vital because it’s used in various ways. You probably even know the number by heart. But have you ever wondered what Social Security numbers mean?

In this guide, discover what a Social Security number is, how to decode the numbers, if they’re reused, and what your number says about you.

What is a Social Security number?

It seems everyone asks for your Social Security number (SSN) these days. So, what is it? An SSN is a unique identifier issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The number was originally a way for the government to keep track of your earnings and the money you paid into the Social Security program. But now, you can use it in a variety of ways:

• Tax reporting 
• Help assure a person’s identity
• Open a bank account
• Apply for federal or private student loans
• Open a line of credit, home loan, or auto loan
• Apply for a job
• Qualify for government benefits
• Get a passport
• Get a driver’s license

Most people receive an SSN when they’re born. If you don’t have one, you can ask the SSA to issue one to you. The SSA can also give you a replacement card if yours was lost or damaged.

What do the numbers in your Social Security number mean?

The digits in your SSN have a unique configuration. What Social Security numbers mean isn’t a secret—but it isn’t very well known.   

According to the SSA, your nine-digit SSN is divided into three parts:

• The area number is the first set of three digits.
• The group number is the second set of two digits.
• The serial number is the third set of four digits.

The original intent was to limit the range of numbers based on specific criteria. For instance, the area number was assigned according to the state in which the SSN was issued.

But several changes have been made since the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935.

Area number

The area number is the first three digits of your SSN. When first issuing numbers, the area number indicated the location of the SSA office that assigned the number. In 1973, the SSA’s Baltimore office began supplying SSNs and used the applicant’s ZIP code to determine the area number.

The system changed again in 2011. What do the first 3 digits of your Social Security mean now? Nothing. SSNs are assigned using “randomization,” and the numbers are not tied to a specific location.

Group number

Group numbers are the two digits in the middle of your SSN. Your group number can range from 01 to 99. So, what do the middle numbers in Social Security mean?

In the early days, the group number was used to identify records. Because the SSA issued SSNs before the era of computers, program administrators used the middle two numbers to organize the records into sub-groups. 

Each group number pointed to a specific area of filing cabinets, making the records easier to manage.

Serial number

The last piece of the SSN puzzle is the serial number. The serial number is the last four digits of your SSN.

They can range from 0001 through 9999 and help to ensure your number is unique. 

How are Social Security numbers assigned?

How SSNs are assigned has changed throughout the years. Initially, the SSA used a system to issue numbers. For example, area numbers told the location where the card was given, and group numbers identified the filing cabinet where the record could be found.

The SSA transitioned to a new system of “randomization” on June 25, 2011. The change was “to help protect the integrity of the SSN,” according to the SSA .

Are Social Security numbers reused?

The SSA has issued over 453 million SSNs and supplies about 5.5 million new numbers per year. At that rate, you may think the SSA would run out of unique numbers to assign. 

However, the SSA does not reuse SSNs—not even after a person dies. Because of the switch to a randomized numbering system, the SSA reports having enough new numbers available for many future generations.

What does your Social Security number say about you?

Now that you know what Social Security numbers mean, what does your number say about you? Fortunately, not much.

Your area number may indicate the state from which your SSN was issued or the ZIP code you used to apply if the SSA issued your number before 2011. However, since the change to a randomized system in 2011, there’s no Social Security number decoder or way to decipher what the numbers mean.

[…] Area number. The area number is the first three digits of your SSN. When first issuing numbers, the … […]

[…] Your Guide to What Social Security Numbers Mean […]

How can we get a new social security card for my 19 year old daughter who has her adopted name on her card and it’s never been changed. We don’t feel comfortable to send adoption papers in the mail. Thank you Eileen

Social Security

Social security number and card, see what card services you can do online.

If you lost your card, you may not need a replacement. In most cases, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough. But if you do need a replacement, we make it easy. Once you complete your application (online or in-person), you will receive your Social Security card in the mail.

Answer a few questions to find the best way to get what you need. You can:

• Request a copy of a lost, stolen, or damaged card
• Update or correct your personal information (e.g. name, citizenship, sex identification, date of birth)
• Request a Social Security number for the first time

Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card

Citizenship

Mailing address, who the request is for, request type, proof of identity, change your name.

We are unable to provide online options that meet your needs. Visit your local SSA office for personalized assistance with your Social Security number and card.

You can request your card online today!

Sign in or create an account to submit your request

You can replace your card online and receive it in 14 days. You can also use your account to check the status of your request and manage other benefits you receive from us.

Sign in Create account

Trouble signing in?

Start the application online and visit your local SSA office for additional guidance for completing your application.

Prefer to talk to someone?

Contact your local SSA office .

You can start your Social Security number (SSN) card application online. Once you've submitted your request, visit your local SSA office for additional guidance for completing your application. You will need to give us some of the information you provided again.

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Social Security numbers and why your baby needs one

Getting a Social Security number for your newborn has many benefits. It allows you to claim your child on your taxes, enroll your baby in health insurance, and set up a college savings plan and/or bank account for your little one. The easiest way to get an SSN for your baby is to apply using birth registration forms at the hospital. If you don't give birth at a hospital, or if your child is older or adopted, you can fill out Social Security forms online and apply in person at your local Social Security office.

How to get a Social Security card for a newborn

How do i look up my child's social security number, what if i haven't received my child's social security card, getting a social security number for an adopted child.

A Social Security number (SSN) is the U.S. federal government's way of identifying you and your child. In the United States, registering your child for a Social Security number is voluntary, but it's necessary to obtain important services. You'll use your child's SSN to claim child-related tax breaks (such as the dependent exemption and the child tax credit ), add your child to your health insurance plan, set up a college savings plan or bank account, and perhaps apply for government benefits for them.

The easiest way to apply for a Social Security card and number for a newborn is by completing a birth registration form at the hospital. You'll need to check the "yes" box where the form asks if you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby.

You'll eventually need to provide both parents' Social Security numbers, but if you don't know both parents' SSNs, you can still fill out the form.

If you didn't deliver in a hospital, you weren't given the birth registration form, or you choose to wait to get an SSN for your child, your other option is to visit your local Social Security Administration Office (you can use the SSA's Office Locator Opens a new window ) and request a number in person. This process requires you to do three things:

• Complete Form SS-5 (Application for Social Security Number Opens a new window ) and provide both parents' Social Security numbers on the form. To save time, you can download, print, and complete the form before you go.
• Provide at least two documents proving your baby's age, identity, and citizenship status. One document should ideally be your child's birth certificate, and the other can be their hospital birth record or another medical record.
• Provide proof of your own identity and proof of your relationship to the child. Your driver's license and passport are both acceptable.

If you'd prefer not to make the trip, you can send a completed Form SS-5 along with your identification documents to your local SSA office by mail. However, you'll have to send originals or certified copies of all identification documents, which is why most people opt to apply in person.

Once you've submitted your application, you should receive your child's Social Security card in the mail in six to 12 weeks, but keep in mind that each state has slightly different processing times. Note as well that it could take longer than this to receive the card if your child is older than 1, because the SSA will contact your state's department of vital statistics to confirm that the birth certificate you've provided is valid.

You won't be able to find your child's SSN online due to the sensitivity of this information. You'll need to contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov Opens a new window and eventually visit your local SSA office in person with the proper identification to find out your child's SSN.

(Note: You can look up your baby's SSN on your tax return documents if you've declared your child as a dependent.)

Once your baby's SSN card arrives in the mail, keep it in a safe space at home with other important government-issued documents such as birth certificates and passports . This way, the card is less likely to be misplaced or stolen, and it's readily available when you need to reference your child's Social Security number (the digits are written clearly on the front of the card).

Figure out your state's approximate processing time for SSN applications for newborns, since it varies based on where you live. If you still haven't received your baby's card in the mail after the indicated length of time (and you're sure you submitted the application properly), you have two options:

• Visit your local SSA Office.
• Call the national SSA hotline at 1.800.772.1213. This phone number has automated services 24/7, or you can speak to a live person during business hours Monday through Friday.

Depending on your application status, someone at your local SSA office or an official on the hotline could ask you to refile your application; you can do so at ssa.gov. Keep in mind that you can't apply via phone or mail, so if you're asked to do this, report this immediately and consider it fraud.

Also, applying for a SSN and a Social Security card is free, so don't be tricked by scammers who may be trying to charge you a fee for your application.

If the child you're adopting is a United States citizen, the child's birth mother most likely filled out an application for an SSN for the baby at the hospital. However, you have the option to register them for a new SSN that bears the child's new legal name, no matter how old the child is at the time of the adoption.

You'll have to apply in person at your local Social Security Office. You must fill out the SS-5 application Opens a new window and provide proof of the child's citizenship and identity – you can present your Adoption Order, a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, or a hospital record – as well as your own identity and your relationship to them. This new number will override the child's old one.

If you're adopting a child from another country, you'll have to wait until the adoption is final and your child has entered the United States to obtain a Social Security number. To apply, fill out the application and bring the required paperwork described above, as well as other adoption paperwork such as immigration documents from the Department of Homeland Security, to your local Social Security Office. Then, follow the rest of the process described above to obtain your child's Social Security number and card.

If you want to file your child as a dependent on your tax return while the adoption is pending – before you receive the child's SSN card in the mail – you can obtain an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN). To apply for one, complete IRS Form W-7A Opens a new window .

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

Social Security Administration. Social security numbers for children. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10023.pdf Opens a new window [Accessed June 2022]

Social Security Administration. 2022. How long does it take to get my baby's Social Security card that I applied for in the hospital? https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-01969 Opens a new window [Accessed June 2022]

Social Security Administration. Identity theft and your Social Security number. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf Opens a new window [Accessed June 2022]

Social Security Administration. Social Security numbers for children. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10023.pdf Opens a new window [Accessed June 2022]

Social Security Administration. How to get a Social Security card and prove U.S. citizenship for a foreign-born adopted child. https://www.ssa.gov/people/immigrants/children.html Opens a new window [Accessed June 2022]

US Birth Certificates. How to get your newborn's Social Security number and card. https://www.usbirthcertificates.com/articles/newborn-social-security-card-number#how-to-apply-for-a-newborn-s-social-security-number [Accessed June 2022]

Alliance for Children's Rights. 2015. Adoptive parent FAQs. https://allianceforchildrensrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FAQs-for-Adoptive-Parents_2015Update.pdf Opens a new window [Accessed June 2022]

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How Social Security Numbers are Assigned

How Are Social Security Numbers Assigned?

This article aims to help you understand how Social Security Numbers are assigned. In 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) changed how they assign Social Security Numbers (SSNs). The new method uses a process called “randomization” to assign SSNs.

The Administration developed a new method to help protect the SSN’s integrity and extend the nine-digit SSN’s longevity (instead of adding additional digits).

SSN Randomization changes the assignment process in several ways. First, it eliminates the geographical importance of the first three digits. Also, the new randomization process eliminates the significance of the highest group number.

As a result, the High Group List is frozen in time and can only be used to see the area and group numbers SSA issued before the randomization implementation date.

Overview of Social Security Numbers

A Social Security number is issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary workers in the United States. The number is issued to an individual by the SSA, an agency of the federal government .

Its primary purpose is to track working individuals for taxation purposes and Social Security benefits. Since it was initially introduced, the SSN has become the primary national identification number, even though it was not originally intended to be used as a form of identification.

Since 1972, numbers have been issued by the central office. The first three (3) digits of a person’s social security number are determined by the ZIP Code of the mailing address shown on the application for a social security number.

Previously, before 1972, social security numbers were assigned by SSA field offices. The number merely established that his/her card was issued by one of the SSA offices in that State.

Randomization

In 2011, the SSA changed the assignment process to a process known as SSN randomization. This process eliminates the geographical significance of the number’s first three digits. Below is an explanation of how the numbers were assigned under the old system that was in effect before 2011 .

Social Security Number – Area Group Serial

The Social Security number consists of nine (9) digits, usually written in the format – 1 2 3 – 4 5 – 6 7 8 9. The first three digits of a social security number denote the area (or State) where the original Social Security number application was filed.

Each area’s group number (middle two (2) digits) ranges from 01 to 99 but is not assigned in consecutive order. For administrative reasons, group numbers issued first consist of the ODD numbers from 01 through 09 and then EVEN numbers from 10 through 98, within each area number allocated to a State.

After all numbers in group 98 of a particular area have been issued, the EVEN Groups 02 through 08 are used, followed by ODD Groups 11 through 99.

Within each group, the serial numbers (last four (4) digits) run consecutively from 0001 through 9999.

The chart below shows how Group numbers are assigned:

• ODD – 01, 03, 05, 07, 09——EVEN – 10 to 98
• EVEN – 02, 04, 06, 08——ODD – 11 to 99

List of Social Security Number Prefixes for Each State

Following is a list of social security number prefixes for each state. The listing is organized in ascending order based on the SSN prefix, with the corresponding issuing state listed. Remember, these apply only to numbers issued before 2011 under the old system.

SSN Prefix = Issuing State

001-003 = New Hampshire 004-007 = Maine 008-009 = Vermont 010-034 = Massachusetts 035-039 = Rhode Island 040-049 = Connecticut 050-134 = New York 135-158 = New Jersey 159-211 = Pennsylvania 212-220 = Maryland 211-222 = Delaware 223-231 = Virginia 232 = North Carolina 232 = West Virginia 233-236 = West Virginia 237-246 = North Carolina 247-251 = South Carolina 252-260 = Georgia 261-267 = Florida (Also 589-595) 268-302 = Ohio 303-317 = Indiana 318-361 = Illinois 362-386 = Michigan 387-399 = Wisconsin 400-407 = Kentucky 408-415 = Tennessee 416-424 = Alabama 425-428 = Mississippi 429-432 = Arkansas 433-439 = Louisiana 440-448 =Oklahoma 449-467 = Texas 468-477 = Minnesota

478 – 485 = Iowa 486 – 500 = Missouri 501 – 502 = North Dakota 503 – 504 = South Dakota 505 – 508 = Nebraska 509 – 515 = Kansas 516 – 517 = Montana 518 – 519 = Idaho 520 = Wyoming 521 – 524 = Colorado 525 = New Mexico 526 = Arizona 526 = New Mexico 527 = Arizona 528 – 529 = Utah 530 = Nevada 531 – 539 = Washington 540 – 544 = Oregon 545-573 = California 574 = Alaska 575-576 = Hawaii 577-579 = District of Columbia 580 = Virgin Islands 580-584 = Puerto Rico 585 = New Mexico 586 = Guam & American Samoa 586 = All Other Pacific Territories 587-588 = Mississippi 589-595 = Florida (also 261-267) 600-601 = Arizona (designated) 602-626 = California (designated) 700-728 = Railroad Retirement 729-999 = Not used until randomization was introduced.

Note: The number 666 has never been used and will not be used in the future.

Please post a comment below if you are aware of any new number ranges.

SSN Requirements

No law directly requires a natural-born United States citizen to apply for a Social Security number to live or work in the United States. However, some people still live without a number because they view it as a voluntary government program. Those who don’t get a number find it difficult to engage in ordinary acts of commerce or banking activities because they can’t provide an SSN.

Additional Resources

If you want to learn more about the process, visit the  Social Security Administration website. On the website, you can:

• Get more information on how numbers are assigned and the randomization process
• Find the offices near you and get directions using the office locator. Just enter your zip code.
• Learn how to get cards and how to request replacement cards

Questions and Comments

If you have any questions, please post a comment below.

38 COMMENTS

What does a Social Security beginning with 200-75-XXXX indicate? I really didn’t understand the middle number, but I believe the first 3 numbers indicate under the old system that the number was applied for in PA.

I didn’t know the numbers were randomized rather than regionalized which makes a lot of sense. I’m a 370 from Michigan. Odd question… why is the prefix 666 unavailable? It’s just a number. I understand it’s Christian significance but it is only a series of digits and this is not a “Christian” domain. I am actually, but my faith is mine not someone else’s concern. The relevance of that number is from The New Testament (St. John’s Revelation)… and that is not fully explained or understood.

i need my grandfathers ssn because he has passed recently and ppl are still calling to collect nothing but they dont believe me they want his number how can i get it

If you are a family member, then you need to look at the DEATH CERTIFICATE. The social security number will be on it. Contact the funeral home, they will have a copy in their files. If you dont; know who handled the service, contact the cemetary, their records should show who the funeral director was. WARNING, if you are not a DIRECT family member no one will give you a copy or any information.

Is a SSN that has the first 5 digits all matching valid? I came across one on a client’s paperwork that had all the same number in the first 5 places. Only the last 4 were different.

I can’t say whether or not the numbers in your particular case are valid, but it would have been possible under the “old” system of issuing numbers. The first three numbers are based don’t the geographic area. The next two numbers are the group numbers, and those numbers are allocated to particular areas within a state.

You say that 729-999 are not in use, but my wife has a SSN that starts with 881. She is from France and got a green card in 2012, and that was the prefix assigned.

Then she got her SSN after June 25, 2011 when they started using random numbers.

Can a person’s prefix be different from the state the were born in? My prefix suggests I was born in Washington, but I was not.

Can group numbers be used to narrow down a location within a state (prior to randomization)?

It is difficult to find official information on the specific manner in which the numbers were issued. However, the group numbers weren’t based on a geographical area. The group numbers were determined by the sequential order in which they were assigned.

With the advent of some financial institutions wishing to make you give them the last six or your social security number, it seems as though they do not understand nor does the government understand the sanctity that should be afforded Social Security identification numbers. With crooks having access to screaming fast computers today, it really is not much of a problem with a nine-digit password to eventually obtain it by searching. And it makes it much easier with the last four that the majority of institutions require for identification. However, with the last six, you might as well just give them the entire number and see your personal security go down the tube. This should be a top priority of our government to band the use of any more numbers being given out to anybody for identification.

Are there duplicates of the last four digits?

Yes. There are social security numbers that have the last four digits that match.

Are SSN’s for noncitizens coded to shos they are not citjzens?

I believe the SSA assigns the numbers using the randomization process that was put in place in 2011. So, they shouldn’t be coded to identify that an individual is a non-citizen. Check the SSA.gov website for more information.

I’m wondering the same thing,

Please remember: the SSN is assigned based on the address provided on the application submitted to the Social Security Administration. This address is supposed to be the applicant’s permanent address. If you have a question, you should contact the Social Security Administration. >>> ASSIGNMENT METHODOLOGY USED STARTING JUNE 26, 2011 <<< The U.S. SSN (Social Security Number) is assigned RANDOMLY. However, the methodology is not public knowledge.

Concerning? I was noting my son’s ssn this year while gathering tax information, and it starts with 881. My concern is that it won’t be valid when he goes to work- as it says numbers starting with 729-999 = Currently not in use???? What could have happened?

It was randomized near the year 1972 because some areas ran out of numbers.

I am a Veteran living in the Houston, Texas area and am enrolled in VA Healthcare. I have recently discovered, when checking in at the DeBakey VA Hospital in Houston, that their VA computer shows that there are 3 Veterans in their system, including myself, that have the same exact last name and the same exact last 4 numbers of their SSN. Should I be concerned?

We’re not in a position to interpret whether it is something that should be of concern. However, it may be something that you should inquire about with VA Healthcare. It is possible that you may have multiple accounts within their system. The records that you see with the same last name and same last four numbers of the SSN may all be referring to you. You may want to give them a call to get more information.

Here it said that the 800 are not in use . 800 are good numbers or bugs number please advice

The SSA changed the way they issue social security numbers, so numbers beginning with 800 are certainly possible.

Both my kids born 2004 & 2009 are 766 and it’s now required to file for them at birth to which they were born in FL but it says the 766 aren’t in use yet when they have been in use for at least 15years now. Strange.

I was born in S.C. but the first 3 digits show it came from Arkansas

I live in NE. Everyone in my family and my first born all start with the 505, 508. This past year I had a baby. His SSN starts with 358. Why is this?

your would indicate you and your family was born in Nebraska, But your sons would indicate he was born in Illinois, so if he wasn’t that is strange, better check into so he don’t have problems later in life with his number

its not where you were born that determines the number, it is the state where the application for an original Social Security number was filed. In my case, I didn’t file till I was 13 and had moved multiple times.

The numbers are now picked at random & are not picked by state. The first three numbers of your baby’s ssn have nothing to do with his state of birth or the state in which his ssn was applied for. Since 2011, the Social Security Administration has been assigning SSNs by randomization. This process eliminates the geographical significance of the first 3 numbers.

I was born in 1980 so my social security number should be from the state I was born in since the change was not started till 2011 where your social security number is pick random

My daughter was born in Connecticut it was issued a social security number while living in Connecticut but she has a New York social security number

I was born in Georgia and I have a New York number. My cousin was born the same month and in the same hospital as me and she has a Georgia number. What could be the reason?

I have an FL ssn and i wasnt born in FL accoding to my birth certificate.

I was born in Alabama, but my SSN was issued at about age 8 (this was many years ago) while living in North Dakota. Therefore, I have a North Dakota SSN.

i have a question it says the 1st 3 numbers say where one was born i have 149 the list says that is the number for new Jersey and i was born in Oklahoma. why?

The first three numbers actually represent the geographic area where the social security number was issued, rather than where a person was born.

In 2011 the first 3 of 808 was used. Every where I have seen says it isn’t, but it was given to my child.

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Social Security

Frequently asked questions, can i change my social security number.

We can assign a different number only if:

• Sequential numbers assigned to members of the same family are causing problems.
• More than one person is assigned or using the same number.
• A victim of identity theft, who has attempted to fix problems resulting from the misuse but continues to be disadvantaged by using the original number.
• There is a situation of harassment, abuse or life endangerment.
• An individual has religious or cultural objections to certain numbers or digits in the original number. (We require written documentation in support of the objection from a religious group with which the number holder has an established relationship.)

To request a different Social Security number, contact your  local Social Security office for an in-person appointment.

Additional Resources:

New Numbers For Domestic Violence Victims

Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number

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How to get a Social Security number

Andy Markowitz

If you have a child in the United States, he or she can get a Social Security number (SSN) virtually at birth. At the hospital, while giving information for the birth certificate, you can simultaneously apply for the baby’s Social Security number. You'll be asked for both parents’ Social Security numbers, but if you don't have them you can still apply.

If you decide to wait until later, you'll need to fill out an  SS-5 , the application form for a Social Security card, and bring it to your  local Social Security office  along with:

• At least two documents proving your child’s U.S. citizenship, age and identity. A birth certificate and passport will fully satisfy the requirements. For a list of other acceptable documents, see the Social Security pamphlet  “Social Security Numbers for Children.”
• Proof of your identity, such as a driver's license, passport or state-issued ID card.

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All documents must be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies or notarized copies will not be accepted.

If the child is 12 or older, he or she must appear at a Social Security office for an interview. The Social Security Administration recommends calling in advance (800-772-1213) and scheduling an appointment to avoid long waits.

Non-U.S. citizens can get a Social Security number provided they are in the country legally. If you have permanent residency, you’ll be issued the same type of Social Security card that citizens get. You will need to show proof of identity and your authorization from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to live and work in the country.

Two types of limited Social Security numbers are available to noncitizens who do not have permanent residency:

• If you have temporary permission to live and work in the United States, you can get a Social Security card stamped “valid for work only with DHS authorization."
• If you do not plan to work but need a Social Security number for another reason — for example, to apply for government benefits or services — your card will be stamped "not valid for employment."

Incoming immigrants can apply for a Social Security number from their home country as part of the visa application process. If you are already in the United States, you will need to visit a Social Security office. The pamphlet  “Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens”  has more information on how, when and where to apply. 

Keep in mind

You can ask Social Security to assign you a new number under limited circumstances, for example if you are a victim of domestic violence or identify theft . You can only apply for a new number in person at a Social Security office. Contact your local office to schedule an appointment or learn more.

Andy Markowitz covers Social Security and retirement for AARP. He is a former editor of the  Prague Post  and  Baltimore City Paper .

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When Did Social Security Numbers Start Being Issued At Birth?

Key Takeaway:

• Social Security numbers (SSNs) were first issued in 1936, as part of the Social Security Act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Initially, SSNs were only issued to workers aged 18 and older and were intended to track their earnings for Social Security benefits.
• SSN issuance expanded over the years, with the 1961 birth registration requirement making it common for individuals to receive an SSN at birth.

Wondering when your Social Security Number, a key identifier of your personal information, was first issued? You’re not alone. Protecting your identity is more important now than ever – let’s uncover the start of this system.

History of Social Security Numbers

Social Security Numbers (SSN) are used to track the earnings of an individual and are essential for the administration of government benefits in the United States. Since their inception, SSN has undergone several changes. Initially, they were issued only to adults, but with the passage of time, they started being issued at birth in the 1980s to help in identifying children for various government services. The issuance of SSN at birth has played a significant role in protecting children from identity theft. SSN has become a crucial identifier for all Americans, and it is essential to keep it confidential and secure.

Interestingly, in the early days of SSN, people were advised not to carry their cards with them as it was considered risky. However, with time, the importance of SSN has increased and it has become essential to carry, as it is required by various facilities. Overall, SSN has evolved over the years, and it has become an integral part of the American identity.

It is worth noting that the first Social Security Number was issued to John David Sweeney Jr, who was born in New Rochelle, New York, on November 24, 1936.

Image credits: retiregenz.com by Harry Duncun

Issuance of Social Security Numbers

The history of Social Security Number (SSN) issuance dates back to 1936, when the government began to assign unique identifiers to individuals for the purpose of tracking their employment records and eventually their social security benefits. These numbers were originally given out only to those who were already employed, but later on, starting in 1986, newborns were included as well. Currently, every child born in the United States is given an SSN at birth.

The reason for issuing SSNs at birth was to create a more seamless process for tracking benefits and to prevent identity fraud. By assigning SSNs at birth, the government can ensure that every American has a unique identifier to use for employment and benefit purposes.

It is important to note that while SSNs have become a ubiquitous part of American life, they should be protected and not shared casually. Due to the prevalence of identity theft, it is recommended that individuals safeguard their SSN and only share it when necessary. To further protect against identity theft, it may be wise to monitor credit reports regularly and to notify authorities immediately if any suspicious activity is detected.

Image credits: retiregenz.com by James Washington

Birth Registration Requirements

The Requirements for Registering Birth in the United States

Birth registration is the process of recording a child’s birth information with the government. It is a crucial task because it provides the child with an identity and various legal rights. In the United States, the birth registration process is mandatory and varies from state to state. Parents or guardians are responsible for registering their child’s birth and providing accurate information.

The registration process involves obtaining a birth certificate, which is proof of a child’s identity. The birth certificate contains crucial details such as the child’s full name, gender, date and time of birth, place of birth, parents’ names, and other necessary demographic information. The birth certificate is required for various purposes like obtaining a passport, enrolling in school, and accessing government benefits.

One unique aspect of birth registration requirements in the US is the issuance of Social Security numbers . Social Security numbers are unique identification numbers assigned to individuals by the government. The system was started in 1936, but it was not until 1986 that Social Security numbers started being issued at birth to all US citizens. This was done to combat fraud and improve the accuracy of Social Security records.

Therefore, it is essential to register a child’s birth promptly to prevent any complications in the future. Failure to register within the required time frame may result in the inability to obtain a birth certificate or Social Security number. The fear of missing out on crucial legal rights and benefits should be a compelling motivation for parents to prioritize timely birth registration.

SSN Issuance at Birth

In recent times, the Social Security Administration has been issuing Social Security Numbers (SSN) to newborns, defining it as the SSN Issuance at Birth . It is a way to ensure that every child has an SSN from birth, thus making the process of obtaining it easier as they grow up. SSN Issuance at Birth was not the practice in the past , and children had to wait until they were of a certain age to apply for an SSN.

Since 1986, the Social Security Administration has been issuing SSNs to newborns as soon as they are born , a process that has proven to be very effective. Before then, parents had to apply for the SSN on behalf of their children, and the process could take weeks. With SSN Issuance at Birth, parents are provided with the SSN right after their child’s birth, making it easier to obtain other government services that require an SSN.

It’s worth noting that before 1986, the SSN was primarily intended for workers to track their income; however, the need to expand its usage arose. In the years that followed, the SSN became a required legal identification number, and it was essential to obtain it as early as possible.

Interestingly, a few states, such as New Hampshire, decided to issue SSNs to newborns in the 1970s, a decision that was then implemented nationally in 1986. This historical information gives context to the implementation of SSN Issuance at Birth and helps us understand the significance of this relatively new process within the wider context of the history of the SSN.

Image credits: retiregenz.com by James Arnold

Five Facts About When Social Security Numbers Started Being Issued at Birth:

• ✅ Social Security numbers started being issued at birth in 1986 as a response to increasing concerns about identity theft. (Source: The New York Times)
• ✅ Some parents object to the practice of issuing social security numbers at birth, citing privacy concerns and government overreach. (Source: NPR)
• ✅ The Social Security Administration initially issued social security numbers only to workers, but now they’re issued to children as well. (Source: Social Security Administration)
• ✅ Social Security numbers are used not only for retirement benefits but also for a wide range of financial transactions, including obtaining credit and opening bank accounts. (Source: AARP)
• ✅ Social Security numbers are also used for government services such as applying for a passport or obtaining a driver’s license. (Source: USA.gov)

FAQs about When Did Social Security Numbers Start Being Issued At Birth?

When did social security numbers start being issued at birth.

Social security numbers started being issued at birth in 1986 for babies born in the United States.

Why did social security numbers start being issued at birth?

Social security numbers started being issued at birth to simplify the process of obtaining a number. It also helps to prevent identity theft later in life, as social security numbers are tied to a person’s identity.

Did all babies born in the United States receive a social security number at birth in 1986?

No, not all babies born in the United States received a social security number at birth in 1986. The law was phased in over several years, starting in 1986 and ending in 1990.

How do I apply for a social security number for my newborn?

To apply for a social security number for your newborn, you must provide the hospital with your baby’s full name, date and place of birth, and both parents’ social security numbers. The hospital will then forward this information to the Social Security Administration, and your baby will receive a social security number in the mail.

Are social security numbers issued at birth still in use today?

Yes, social security numbers issued at birth are still in use today. They continue to be an important part of a person’s identity and are needed for various government and financial transactions.

What happens if I never received a social security number at birth?

If you never received a social security number at birth, you can apply for one at any time. You will need to provide proof of identity and citizenship, as well as documentation of any name changes. You can apply for a social security number online or in person at a Social Security Administration office.

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ORDER YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE ONLINE

How to get your newborn's Social Security Number and Card

What is the purpose of the Social Security number?

How long does it take to get a social security number for your child, why should i get my child’s social security number.

Welcoming a newborn is often an exciting and happy occasion. There are plenty of things to get ready, and parents might feel that there is not enough time. However, once the child is born, parents do need to take care of a few legal matters as soon as possible . On the one hand, it’s essential that parents obtain their child’s birth certificate. Registering a birth and getting your baby’s birth certificate is a fairly easy process.

You will need your newborn’s birth certificate to apply for your child’s Social Security number and card. Keep in mind that a person’s security number must be protected as it is directly linked to their lifetime earnings, taxes, and more.

The Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number which the U.S. government issues to all U.S. citizens . Eligible U.S. residents are able to apply for one as well. This number allows the government to keep track of your lifetime earnings as well as the number of years worked.

U.S. citizens need a SSN to be able to work . An employer will always ask for the social security number, and they will report your income to the Internal Revenue Service, IRS.

Instances when a person is asked to provide their Social Security card or number also include:

• Opening an account with any U.S. financial institution
• Applying for a federal loan
• Applying for certain types of public assistance
• Enrolling in Medicare
• Applying for a passport
• Filing your tax return
• Getting a driver’s license

Without a Social Security number, financial institutions will not be able to run a credit check, and therefore, making it more difficult to get a credit card or a loan.

How to apply for a newborn’s social security number?

To apply for your child’s Social Security number you must complete a birth registration form. When completing this form, you must check a box to request a number for your child . It is also necessary to provide the parent’s Social Security numbers.

You may be wondering where do you get the birth registration form. Most hospitals will distribute the birth registration form after a child has born and while the mother is still a patient. If the birth did not occur at a hospital or for some reason the birth registration form was not completed, new parents can visit a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and request the number in person. If this were the case, you need to do the following:

• Fill out the Form SS-5 and provide the parent’s Social Security numbers
• Provide at least two documents that prove your child’s age, identity, and citizenship status. One of these documents should be your child’s birth certificate, and the second document can be a medical record or the hospital’s birth record.
• Present proof of your own identity, you may present your driver’s license or passport.

After you have submitted the application at the SSA office, your child’s Social Security card should be delivered between 6 to 12 weeks . If your child is older than one-year, it can take a lot longer to process your application. This is because the SSA will contact your state’s department of vital statistics to verify the validity of the birth certificate provided on the application.

If your child is born at the hospital, it will be much easier to complete the birth registration form instead of going to the SSA office. However, new parents always have the option to apply for their child’s SSN in person.

Generally, it takes between four to five weeks to receive the Social Security number and card if you had submitted the application at the hospital. However, this might vary depending on the state where you live. If your child’s Social Security card has not arrived within six weeks you can head to your nearest Social Security office. You will need to take proof of your child’s citizenship, age and identity as well as documents to identify yourself.

A child’s Social Security number cannot be give out over the phone, therefore it is necessary for you to go in person, in the case that it has not arrived.

One of the main reasons to get your child’s Social Security number after they are born is so that you can claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return . You also need your child’s social security card if you are planning on:

• Opening a bank account for your child
• Buying savings bond for your child
• Getting medical coverage for your child
• Applying for government services for your child

Getting a Social Security number for your child is not obligatory, however, applying for one is an easy enough process and will benefit you and your child.

If your child is adopted, the SSA can assign them a Social Security number . You can apply for the number using your child’s new name as well as your name and details as a parent.

Getting the Social Security number and card for your child does not carry a cost, in other words, Social Security services are free.

Whether you choose to complete the birth registration form at the hospital, or head to the SSA office later on, you will certainly need an authorized copy of your child’s birth certificate . USBirthCertificates is a convenient and secure way to get your child’s vital records .

Related: How to get a replacement Social Security card Related: How do I change my name on my Social Security Card?

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Is Your June Social Security Check Missing? Here's What To Do

Didn't receive your June Social Security payment? It could be for a few reasons. We'll fill you in.

Why is your Social Security payment late?

We're just a few days away from July, and Social Security payments should be rolling out soon, but some of you may still be waiting on your June payment. Your benefits check should arrive around the same time each month, which the agency sets based on how long you've received benefits and your date of birth.

But if you're still waiting, a late payment doesn't always mean you won't get your money. You may be missing a payment because you closed your bank account, for example, or moved. Whatever the case, it's best to call the Social Security Administration to find out what's going on. We'll explain how to do this below.

Here's why your Social Security benefits might be late and what to do about it. For more, here's what happens if you get a Social Security overpayment and why you might still need your cost-of-living adjustment letter .

Why your Social Security payment could be missing

Here's why your Social Security payment might not have made it into your bank account last month. 

Your banking information has changed: If you recently changed your banking information and didn't update your Social Security account, this could be why you didn't receive your money.

You recently moved: If your address has changed since your last Social Security payment, this could cause a delay in your benefits.

You just applied for benefits: If you recently applied for Social Security benefits , it'll take a couple of months before you begin receiving benefits. Roughly 30 days after applying, you'll receive a letter that shows your anticipated benefits start date.

The Social Security Administration stopped your benefits: The SSA can terminate your benefits if you begin working and your income exceeds the maximum amount allowed. Your benefits can also be suspended if you've been in jail longer than 30 days. Here's more on how you could lose your benefits .

The Social Security offices are experiencing delays: If the Social Security office that handles your payments has a problem, like a staffing shortage, it could potentially delay your benefits.

Check the status of your Social Security benefits

If you applied for benefits but haven't received a letter in the mail and it's been 30 or more days, you can check the status of your application. You'll need to log in to your My Social Security account or create one if you haven't already.

Once you're in, you can see your current claim location , as well as the scheduled hearing date and time.

If it's been more than 30 days and you haven't heard from the Social Security Administration, it may be best to call or visit your local office for more information.

How to report a missing payment

If your Social Security direct deposit didn't arrive in your bank account on the typical scheduled day , call your bank. They might be able to tell you if there's a delay in posting your payment.

If your bank doesn't see any pending payments, it may be time to call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or contact your local Social Security office. Someone in the office will review your case and if they find a payment is due to you, they will send it.

For more information, here's the maximum amount of Social Security money you can receive each month. Here's a Social Security cheat sheet for all your questions.

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Social Security Matters

How to change your second factor authentication for your personal my social security account.

September 2, 2021 • By Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Did you recently get a new cell phone number or email address? If you did, you will need to update your personal my Social Security account to reflect the new number or email. You will be required to use the second factor process to access your account. Second factor authentication provides an extra level of security for your account. Here’s what you need to know to help you keep your account safe and secure.

To update the second factor authentication on your account, go to the Sign In page . Enter your username and password. Then, follow these steps:

• On the page that asks you to “Please verify your cell phone number” or “Please verify your email address”—depending on which one is currently listed as your second factor, choose, “No, it is no longer valid and must be changed.” If you registered both your cell phone and email address, you will get a screen with both options. Choose this option to let us know that you can no longer access it.
• Click “Next.”
• Scroll down and check the “I agree to the Terms of Service” box.
• Enter your mailing address and primary phone number in the “Provide Information” page.
• Click “Mail Reset Code Instructions.”
• Then, click “Done” on the next page.

After completing these steps, you’ll receive a letter by mail in 5 to 10 business days. Your letter will contain a reset code and step-by-step instructions for changing where you receive security codes.

When you receive the letter with your reset code, go to the Sign In page , enter your username, and include your password. Then, you can:

• Click “Sign In.”
• Click “Yes, let’s begin” on the “Do you have your reset code letter?” page.
• Fill in the appropriate field to let us know how you want to receive your security code—whether by text message or email.
• Enter the security code you received—by text message or email—in the space provided.
• Then, click “Submit Security Code.”
• Enter the reset code from your letter on the following page.
• Then, click “Next” again.
• Click “Next.” This will take you to your my Social Security account.

Be sure to refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page for any additional questions—and check out our most asked questions and main topics. Please share this information with your friends and family—and subscribe to our blog for the latest updates.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Tags: my Social Security , my Social Security account , social security , Social Security benefits

About the Author

Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

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During hurricane season, be prepared with electronic payments, social security — national reentry week (april 24th-30th), my reflections on public service, remembrances on patriot day.

February 25, 2022 8:49PM

I have tried several times to establish the mysocial security account. When I tried to set up IDme, after accepting the photo of my driver’s license and the picture of my face, the system asked for my phone number and then said it did not authenticate my identity! When I’ve tried login.gov, I reached the point where it says to “use Face or Touch unlock … then your security key with secure.login. gov.” I have no security key! I received a letter outlining the steps to finish setting up the online account, but I can’t get past that security key step! I’ve called the national and local office, waited on hold, and had the calls dropped. When I finally got through to 1-800-772-1213, the agent did not know how to get past the step of putting in my (non-existent) security key. Her only suggestion was to set up an appointment for a phone meeting with the local office–for 7 weeks from now! I am trying to sign up for Medicare and do not want to further delay this process.

March 2, 2022 10:00AM

Hi, Abby. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For assistance with   ID.me registration and/or the authentication process, please contact ID.me through their customer support page on https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/categories/360005564453-Verifying-for-the-Social-Security-Administration . You can also submit your requests for any i nquiries at https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/requests/new .   We hope this helps. 

February 13, 2022 9:10AM

How can I change my security from sending a code to my mail to sending it to my email. I no longer live at that address and I can’t get the code. Please Help!!! Thank!

February 18, 2022 9:20AM

Hi, Penny. For assistance with your personal my Social Security account , please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.

February 12, 2022 10:26AM

Can I delete my account & start over?

February 18, 2022 9:06AM

Hi, Diana. No, however, if you are encountering a problem with your personal my Social Security account , please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.

December 10, 2021 9:13AM

I have a pre-2018 mySSA account. I also have a login.gov account. Can I switch my mySSA account so that I can log in with my login.gov account? (I want to make the change because login.gov uses stronger token-based MFA.)

December 15, 2021 10:36AM

Hi, Neil. Thanks for your question. Yes, you are able to sign in with your Login.gov credentials instea d of your previous my Social Security credentials. You can continue to have both sets of credentials if you wish. We hope this helps.

Christian V.

November 22, 2021 4:06AM

Hello, I am having an issue with updating my phone number (which is used for 3 ways security). My new number is a French number, your site doesn’t allow for such international number change. Without this update I can’t access any longer to my online account. I saw that you have the 800-772-1213 number Helpdesk, I will attempt calling it at the appropriate time. Thank you for any help you could give me. Christian V.

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This Is the Average Social Security Benefit for Age 67

• Waiting until the full retirement age of 67 results in receiving the full Social Security retirement benefit.
• There are a few wrinkles to consider when reviewing the Social Security Administration's average benefits by age.
• Individuals can top the average retirement benefit in two ways.
• Motley Fool Issues Rare “All In” Buy Alert

Here's the latest Social Security average benefit for 67-year-olds. But you can beat this average.

Patience often pays off. That's true whether we're talking about fishing, gardening, or learning something new. And it's definitely applicable to the decision about when to claim Social Security retirement benefits.

All Americans born in 1960 or after will receive lower monthly checks if they begin collecting Social Security retirement benefits before reaching their full retirement age of 67. How much you receive depends on several factors, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides updated average benefits by age each year.

Image source: Getty Images.

Full retirement age, full benefit

As of the end of December 2023, the average monthly Social Security benefit for retired workers aged 67 was $1,883.50. This amounts to $22,602 per year.

The averages differ based on the sex of the beneficiary, though. Men aged 67 received an average of $2,903.70 per month ($34,844.40 per year), while women aged 67 received an average of $1,676.20 per month ($20,114.40 per year).

The average monthly retirement benefit at younger ages is significantly lower. For example, 62-year-olds received only $1,298.26 per month ($15,579.12 per year). Retired workers aged 65 received an average monthly check of $1,563.06 ($18,756.72 per year).

These lower averages aren't surprising because SSA applies an early retirement penalty. Benefits are reduced by five-ninths of 1% for each month before a person reaches his or her full retirement age for up to 36 months. The penalty for retiring earlier than 36 months before the full retirement age is five-twelfths of 1% per month.

A few wrinkles with the Social Security average

Mark Twain popularized the saying, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." While I wouldn't categorize the above Social Security statistical average as a lie, there are a few wrinkles to note with the figure.

Importantly, the average doesn't only include retired workers who wait until age 67 to begin receiving benefits. It reflects the average benefits for all retired workers age 67, including many individuals who retired at an earlier age.

The average monthly benefit for retired workers age 67 is also undoubtedly higher than $1,883.50 today. Because SSA's data is from December 2023, the numbers don't include the impact of the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 3.2% that went into effect in January 2024.

Remember, too, that any retirees who began receiving Social Security benefits in 2024 could skew the average. If the lifetime earnings of these workers are higher than the lifetime earnings of previous Social Security beneficiaries, the average monthly benefit for 67-year-olds could be pushed even higher.

How to beat the average

You don't have to settle for the average monthly benefit for 67-year-olds, though. There are a couple of ways to beat this average.

The easiest alternative is to hold off on collecting your retirement benefits. SSA will increase your benefit by two-thirds of 1% per month (or 8% per year) that you delay receiving benefits up to age 70. Waiting three years could boost your retirement benefit by 24%.

Another option is to increase your earnings. SSA uses your 35 years with the highest earnings to calculate your retirement benefit. What if you've already begun receiving benefits? No problem. If you return to work and make more than you did earlier in your career, it could still result in SSA increasing your benefit.

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The Story of the Social Security Number

Related content.

The First Social Security Number and the Lowest Number

Social Security Number Allocations

The use of the Social Security number ( SSN ) has expanded significantly since its inception in 1936. Created merely to keep track of the earnings history of U.S. workers for Social Security entitlement and benefit computation purposes, it has come to be used as a nearly universal identifier. Assigned at birth, the SSN enables government agencies to identify individuals in their records and businesses to track an individual's financial information. This article explores the history and meaning of the SSN and the Social Security card, as well as the Social Security Administration's ( SSA 's) SSN master file, generally known as the Numident. The article also traces the historical expansion of SSN use and the steps SSA has taken to enhance SSN integrity.

The author is with the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Office of Retirement and Disability Policy, Social Security Administration.

Acknowledgments : The author would like to thank SSA Historian Larry DeWitt, along with Kitty Chilcoat and the other reviewers in the Office of Legislation and Regulatory Affairs for their excellent suggestions. The author also wishes to thank the many employees in the Office of Income Support Programs and the Office of Earnings and Enumeration and Administrative Systems who reviewed the article for technical correctness.

The findings and conclusions presented in the Bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Social Security Administration.

Introduction

The Social Security number ( SSN ) was created in 1936 for the sole purpose of tracking the earnings histories of U.S. workers, for use in determining Social Security benefit entitlement and computing benefit levels. Since then, use of the SSN has expanded substantially. Today the SSN may be the most commonly used numbering system in the United States. As of December 2008, the Social Security Administration ( SSA ) had issued over 450 million original SSN s, and nearly every legal resident of the United States had one. The SSN 's very universality has led to its adoption throughout government and the private sector as a chief means of identifying and gathering information about an individual.

How did the SSN come to be, and why has it become an unofficial national identifier? This article explores the history and meaning of the SSN and the Social Security card, along with SSA 's SSN master data file, generally known as the Numident. The article also traces how use of the SSN has expanded since its introduction and the steps SSA has taken to enhance the integrity of the SSN process.

Crafting the SSN

At its inception, the SSN 's only purpose was to uniquely identify U.S. workers, enabling employers to submit accurate reports of covered earnings for use in administering benefits under the new Social Security program. That is still the primary purpose for the SSN .

However, creating the SSN scheme and assigning SSN s to U.S. workers was no easy task. Passage of the Social Security Act in August 1935 set in motion a huge effort to build the infrastructure needed to support a program affecting tens of millions of individuals. Many said the task was impossible ( SSA  1952; SSA  1965, 26). Employers were to begin to deduct payroll taxes from worker's wages in January 1937, giving the agency little time to establish the SSN process. 1 Besides clarifying program policy, the agency needed to hire and train employees (7,500 by March 1938), set up facilities, develop public education programs, and create an earnings-tracking system (Corson 1938, 6).

Establishing the Social Security infrastructure was impeded for 3½ months by the lack of funds due to a filibuster of the 1936 Deficiency Bill (a government-wide appropriation bill similar to current Omnibus Budget Reconciliation bills) by Senator Huey Long (D–LA). The Roosevelt administration circumvented this obstacle by engineering a Works Progress Administration ( WPA ) allotment of $112,610 from the Department of Labor and by borrowing staff from the demobilizing National Recovery Administration, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and the National Youth Administration. On February 9, 1936, Congress finally passed the deficiency bill containing the fiscal year 1936 appropriation for the Social Security Board (precursor of the SSA ), and Roosevelt signed it on February 11. As late as March 15, 1936, there were still only five employees of the Social Security Board's Bureau of Old-Age Benefits—including the director and his assistant (McKinley and Frase 1970, 18, 28, and 49).

Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the Agricultural Adjustment Act invalid in January 1936, raising the possibility that the Social Security Act might also be declared unconstitutional (McKinley and Frase 1970, 22–23; SSA  1952). It would not be until May 1937 that a series of Supreme Court decisions cemented the constitutionality of the Social Security Act ( SSA n.d. a).

One of the first steps in administering the Social Security Act was to devise a means to track the earnings of each individual, as Social Security benefit computations consider a worker's earnings from 1937 on.

Why didn't the Social Security Board just use an individual's name and address as the identifier? The deficiency of such a scheme was already well known. A 1937 publication recounts, "A recent news account states that the Fred Smiths of New York City have had so much trouble in being identified by their creditors, the courts, and even their friends, that they have joined together in forming the 'Fred Smiths, Incorporated,' to serve as a clearing house for their identification problems." Some government agencies, such as the U.S. War and Navy Departments, the Veterans Administration (for paying pensions and for adjusted compensation certificates), and the Post Office Department (for Postal Savings depositors) used fingerprints for identification. However, the use of fingerprints was associated in the public mind with criminal activity, making this approach undesirable (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 45–47). A numbering scheme was seen as the practical alternative. Thus, the employer identification number ( EIN ) and the SSN were created.

Today we take the 9-digit composition of the SSN as a given, but in 1935 and 1936 many other schemes were considered. In early November 1935, the Social Security Board adopted an identifier composed of 3 alphabetic characters representing geographic areas and 5 numeric characters. However, the Board made this decision without consulting other federal agencies. The U.S. Employment Service ( USES ), the Census Bureau, the Central Statistical Board, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics all used numeric symbols without alphabetic characters since most standard statistical machines used this scheme. With alphabetic symbols, these agencies, as well as many private companies, would have had to buy new machines. Only two companies manufactured tabulating machines using a combination of alphabetic and numeric characters, and the government had previously brought suit against them under the Sherman Antitrust Act for dividing market territory between them (McKinley and Frase 1970, 320–322).

The Board called a meeting of all interested agencies to discuss the numeration issues. 2 In a November 1935 report, a subcommittee of this interdepartmental group proposed three alternatives:

• a 9-digit number consisting of a 4-digit serial number, a 2-digit year of birth indicator, and a 3-digit number indicating the geographic area of registration;
• an 8-digit number with a 5-digit serial number and a 3-digit geographic indicator; or
• a 7-character version consisting of 4 digits and 3 alphabetic characters (McKinley and Frase 1970, 322).

On December 17, 1935, the Board approved the 9-digit option (McKinley and Frase 1970, 323). The Board planned to use the year one attained age 65 as part of the SSN , thinking that once an individual attained age 65, the SSN would be reassigned to someone else. But at a meeting on January 23, 1936, the unemployment compensation delegates objected to the use of digits to signify age because they thought a number of workers would falsify their age. As a result, a new scheme adopted by the Board on February 14 consisted of a 3-digit area code, a 2-digit month of birth, and a 4-digit serial number.

Finally, on June 2, 1936, the Board decided to keep the 9-digit scheme, although using the fourth and fifth digits to represent the month of birth was abandoned. Instead, those two digits would be a "group number" that could be used to maximize the utility of mechanical equipment and to verify the accuracy of punch cards. This scheme would permit the prenumbering of registration forms and was capable of expansion to nearly 1 billion accounts (McKinley and Frase 1970, 342–344). The numbering scheme would also facilitate storing the applications since the agency's files were organized by region as well as alphabetically.

Deconstructing the SSN

As a result of the June 1936 decision, the current SSN is composed of three parts:

• The first three digits are the area number
• The next two digits are the group number
• The final four digits are the serial number

Area Number

The 3-digit area number is assigned by geographic region. In 1936 the Social Security Board planned eventually to use area numbers to redistribute work to its 12 regional centers to serve workers in those areas. One or more area numbers were allocated to each state based on the anticipated number of SSN issuances in the state. 3 Prior to 1972, the numbers were issued to local offices for assignment to individuals; it was thought this would capture information about the worker's residence. So, until 1972, the area number represented the state in which the card was issued. (Barron and Bamberger 1982, 29).

Generally, area numbers were assigned in ascending order beginning in the northeast and then moving westward. For the most part, people on the east coast have the lowest area numbers and those on the west coast have the highest area numbers. However, area numbers did not always reflect the worker's residence. During the initial registration in 1936 and 1937, businesses with branches throughout the country had employees return their SS -5 Application for Account Number to their national headquarters, so these SSN s carried the area number where the headquarters were located. As a result, the area numbers assigned to big cities, such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago, were used for workers in many other parts of the country (McKinley and Frase 1970, 373). Also, a worker could apply in person for a card in any Social Security office, and the area number would reflect that office's location, regardless of the worker's residence.

Since 1972, when SSA began assigning SSN s and issuing cards centrally from Baltimore, MD , the area number has been assigned based on the ZIP code of the mailing address provided on the application for the original Social Security card. The applicant's mailing address may not be the same as the place of residence.

Some exceptions to the general east-to-west, ascending-order area numbering scheme exist:

• Sequence 700 through 728 was assigned to railroad workers until July 1963.
• 586 was divided among American Samoa, Guam, the Philippines, Americans employed abroad by American employers and, from 1975 to 1979, Indochinese refugees.
• 580 was assigned to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; sequences 581 through 584 and 596 through 599 were also assigned to Puerto Rico.
• Sequence 577 through 579 was assigned to the District of Columbia.
• Sequences 587 through 588 and 589 through 595 were assigned to Mississippi and Florida, respectively, for use after those states exhausted their initial area number allotments.
• Sequence 729 through 733 has been allocated to the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) for SSN s issued through the Enumeration at Entry ( EaE ) program, described below.
• No SSN s with an area number in the 800s or 900s, or with a 000 area number, have been assigned.
• No SSN s with an area number of 666 have been or will be assigned.

SSA has many years' worth of potential SSN s available for future assignment. However, because of population shifts, SSA now faces an imbalance in the geographic allocation of area numbers. Some states have a current allocation of SSN s that will last for many years, while others have a pending shortage. As a result, given present rates of assignment and existing geographic allocations, several states currently have fewer than 10 years' worth of SSN s available for assignment.

In a July 3, 2007, Federal Register notice, SSA solicited public comment on a proposal to change the way SSN s are assigned ( SSA  2007b). Under this proposal, SSA would randomly assign SSN s from the remaining pool of available numbers, and the first three digits would no longer have any geographic significance. SSA contends that doing so would ensure a reliable supply of SSN s for years to come, and would also reduce opportunities for identity theft and SSN fraud and misuse. SSA plans additional discussion with other government entities and the private sector before implementing any change.

Group Number

The group number (the fourth and fifth digits of the SSN ) was initially determined by the procedure of issuing numbers in groups of 10,000 to post offices for assignment on behalf of the Social Security Board's Bureau of Old-Age Benefits. The group numbers range from 01 to 99 (00 is not used), but for administrative reasons, they are not assigned consecutively. Within each area number allocated to a state, the sequence of group number assignments begins with the odd-numbered group numbers from 01 to 09, followed by even group numbers 10 through 98, then even numbers 02 through 08, and finally odd numbers 11 through 99. 4

Serial Number

The last four digits of the SSN are the serial number. The serial number represents a straight numerical series of numbers from 0001–9999 within each group. Serial number 0000 is not assigned.

Designing the Social Security Card

Even at the inception of the program, the Social Security Board understood that individuals would need to have a "token" that would provide a record of the number that had been assigned to them. This token would help employers accurately report an individual's earnings under the program.

The Board first considered a small card similar to a credit union or trade union card, but some objected that it was too flimsy. Alternatively, a ¾ x 2⅞ inch metal card was proposed by a manufacturer of such cards. It was estimated that it would have taken 250 tons of metal for initial registration. The arguments in favor of the metal card were its permanence, accuracy (records could be imprinted from the embossed token), and economy (because of the imprinting capability). Still, in early June 1936, the Board decided to use a small paper card (McKinley and Frase 1970, 327 and 329).

In October 1936, the Social Security Board selected a design submitted by Frederick E. Happel, an artist and photo engraver from Albany, NY , for the original Social Security card, for which Happel was paid $60. 5 The Board placed an initial order for 26 million cards. In late 1937, a second version was adopted, and a version just for replacement cards was adopted in 1938 ( SSA  1990, 1). Since 1976, the design of original and replacement Social Security cards has been the same. In all, over 50 designs have been used from 1936 to 2008. All versions remain valid since it would be cost-prohibitive to replace all cards previously issued.

Over time, as the use of the SSN expanded for other purposes, SSA recognized that changes were necessary to protect the integrity of the card. SSA has taken measures to prevent counterfeiting of the card, and a counterfeit-resistant version is now used for both original and replacement cards. Steps taken by SSA to improve the card are detailed later.

Deciding on Application Data

There was also considerable discussion in 1936 about the types of information to collect as part of the registration. Generally, SSA collected the information needed to uniquely identify and accurately report an individual's earnings covered under the new Social Security program. Race was considered a necessary piece of information for actuarial purposes because of differences in life expectancy among different races. However, the Board decided to use the term "color" rather than race on the original Form SS -5 application for an SSN (McKinley and Frase 1970, 325–326).

The original 1936 version of the SS -5 requested the following information:

• Employee name
• Employee address
• Name of current employer
• Employer address
• Age of employee
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• U.S. Employment Service ( USES ) registration card number, if applicable
• Date and place of previously completed an SS -5 , if applicable
• Completion date for current SS -5
• Signature ( SSA  1990)

Registering the Nation's Employers and Employees

Although issuing SSN s is still a large workload for SSA , one rarely thinks about the major undertaking it was to register workers for the first SSN s. Initial estimates were that 22 million SSN s would be issued immediately, with 50 million ultimately to be issued (McKinley and Frase 1970, 15). In fact, 35 million SSN s were issued in the first 8 months of the registration effort. The Social Security Board estimated it would also need to assign identifying numbers to 3.5 million employers during this same time (McKinley and Frase 1970, 309).

Assigning responsibility for the vast registration process was a real problem. Debate shifted back and forth over whether the Board's Bureau of Old-Age Benefits could handle the work. The Board first approached the USES about assuming the registration workload, but in early May 1936 USES declined because President Roosevelt was hoping for an upswing in industrial production that autumn, and USES wanted its personnel to concentrate on its job placement service. The Census Bureau also declined, citing legal restrictions on the disclosure of its information to other agencies and confidentiality promises to the public that census information would be used for statistical purposes only (McKinley and Frase 1970, 338–339).

In June 1936, the Social Security Board decided that its Bureau of Old-Age Benefits would handle the registration and that the registration process would begin after the November 3, 1936, presidential election (McKinley and Frase 1970, 29). In May, the executive committee of the interdepartmental committee on enumeration had recommended that the Bureau could handle the registration by setting up 202 field offices and hiring 12,000 to 16,000 employees. The Board estimated that these 202 field offices would cover approximately 67 percent of registrants. On July 17, 1936, the Social Security Board's regional directors were told that 600 Bureau field offices would be open by November, that SSN assignment would begin about November 15, and that registration would be completed within 60 days. Also in July, the Board talked to the Post Office Department about assigning post office personnel to assist in cities where the Board would not yet have field offices to handle the registration (McKinley and Frase 1970, 342–347).

However, difficulties in recruiting personnel and setting up offices would make it impossible for the Bureau to handle the workload. As of September 30, 1936, Bureau of Old-Age Benefits employees numbered only 164 (Corson 1938, 6). Fortunately, the Board was able to enlist the Post Office Department to issue SSN s, signing an agreement on September 25, 1936. The Post Office Department had 45,000 facilities and over 350,000 employees at that time (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 52).

The Social Security Board also enlisted the Treasury Department to assure employer cooperation. Final Treasury regulations, published in the Federal Register on November 6, 1936, required employers to file Form SS -4 (employer's application for an EIN ) with the post office not later than November 21, 1936, and employees to file Form SS -5 (employee's application for an SSN ) not later than December 5 (McKinley and Frase 1970, 15 and 360). However, delays in getting registration started made these deadlines moot.

The Social Security Board's Informational Service, established in January 1936, prepared a publicity campaign at midyear to encourage employers and workers to complete the application forms, but did not plan to distribute the material until after the November 3 election. However, the Board accelerated the publicity release in response to a September effort to discredit the program launched by Alf N. Landon, the Republican candidate for president. Also that year, many employers, in conjunction with Landon and the Republican Party, began stuffing payroll envelopes with leaflets against the Social Security Act and the required deductions from employee wages. The Social Security Board was so alarmed that the Chairman, John G. Winant, resigned in order to campaign in defense of the Social Security Act. In addition, in October 1936 the Board released a film called "We the People and Social Security" along with a 4-page pamphlet entitled "Security in Your Old Age." 6 It is estimated that some 4 million people saw the film and nearly 8 million of the pamphlets were distributed by Election Day (McKinley and Frase 1970, 357–358).

On November 6, the campaign to encourage employers and employees to register began. A series of press releases outlined the procedure for assigning SSN s and carried sample Forms SS -4 and SS -5 , as well as a Social Security card specimen. The campaign included three releases on old-age benefits in 24 languages distributed to the country's foreign language press. The Associated Press, the United Press, the Hearst chain, and many individual papers ran a series of articles on old-age benefits and registration for weeks at a time. During the November and December initial registration period, there were also 12 nationwide radio broadcasts by well-known individuals and a host of local broadcasts arranged by the 56 skeletal field offices then in place. Over 3 million posters 7 were distributed, 50 million more pamphlets were dispersed, and three additional newsreel trailers were shown to some 42 million people (McKinley and Frase 1970, 364–366).

The registration process was largely directed by the local postmasters. The first task for the postmen was to make up lists of employers on their routes. Their effort resulted in a list of 2.4 million employers (McKinley and Frase 1970, 344–345 and 368).

Beginning November 16, 1936, the post offices sent Form SS -4 s to employers based on the lists they had compiled earlier that month. Along with information about the business establishment, employers were asked for the number of workers they employed. The mail carriers collected the completed SS -4 s a week or two later. Based on SS -4 information, the post offices delivered Form SS -5 s to the employers the following week for distribution to employees (McKinley and Frase 1970, 368).

Employees were permitted to return the completed SS -5 application either to the employer, to any labor organization of which the employee was a member, to the letter carrier, to the post office by hand, or to the post office via mail (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 54). This last possibility caused another round of negotiations between the Social Security Board and the Post Office Department about whether "return penalty privilege" (requiring no postage) applied. Postal regulations stated that this privilege could only be used if an individual was not required by law to submit the information. The Board argued that no postage was required as there was no law requiring employees to obtain an SSN . At the same time, however, the Board was requesting the Treasury Department to issue regulations mandating employees to obtain account numbers. In the end, the Board got it both ways—the Post Office Department agreed to accept returned SS -5 s without postage on October 8, 1936, and the Treasury Department issued the regulations making the SSN mandatory on November 6, 1936 (McKinley and Frase 1970, 351–352 and 360).

Even at this early time, the public was concerned about privacy and confidentiality issues. Many employees were anxious to know how the information on the SS -5 would be used. The Social Security Board issued releases at various times assuring the public that the information on the application would be kept confidential, with access limited to government employees for whom job duties under the Social Security Act required it (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 57). In June 1937, the Social Security Board would issue its very first regulation, formalizing its pledge of confidentiality for information collected and maintained.

The work of the Social Security Board to reassure the public was complicated by the actions of some employers, who circulated additional forms along with the SS -5 . These extra forms requested information such as nationality, religion, education, and union affiliation. On February 26, 1937, the Board issued a press release warning employers against distributing unauthorized questionnaires that appeared to be required by the Social Security Board (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 57).

Of the 45,000 post offices then in existence, 1,017 first-class offices were designated as "typing centers" to assign the SSN s, along with 57 "central accounting" post offices to assign SSN s for the second, third, and fourth class post offices within their area (McKinley and Frase 1970, 368). The Social Security Board supplied these centers with Office Record Form OA -702, in blocks of 1,000, with the account number preprinted. For each registrant, postal employees typed the information from the SS -5 onto the prenumbered OA -702 in duplicate. Each OA -702 had a detachable portion on which the employee's name was typed and then returned to the employee—the Social Security card. The post office mailed the completed Social Security cards to the employer, unless the employee had taken the SS -5 to the post office in person and waited for the typed card. Each completed card was accompanied by an informational circular briefly explaining the provisions of Title II (old-age benefits) and Title XVIII (the Social Security tax) of the Social Security Act (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 54 and 58).

The post offices sent the completed SS -5 and the corresponding OA -702 forms in blocks of 500 to the Bureau of Old-Age Benefit's Records Office in Baltimore, where the SSN master files were to be kept. The post offices (and later the Bureau's field offices) kept carbon copies of the OA -702 to use should an individual request a replacement card (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 58).

The publicity campaign and the Post Office Department's efforts resulted in over 22 million completed applications as of December 22, 1936, 28 days after the initial distribution of employee applications (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 62). During the first 4 months of the registration campaign, nearly 26 million SSN s and more than 2.6 million EIN s were assigned (Corson 1938, 3).

In September 1936, when the Post Office Department signed the agreement to handle the initial registration, the Board had planned for the Bureau of Old-Age Benefits to have 554 field offices set up to take over the enumeration workload in January 1937. However, hiring field staff had to await the results of the "examination for administrative officer" (civil service test) given in August 1936. The resulting register was not made available to the Board until December 1936 (McKinley and Frase 1970, 129). So in November 1936 the Board instead assigned headquarters staff to 56 Bureau field offices, covering all but one of the cities where the Post Office Department had set up its "central accounting" offices. These 56 Bureau offices primarily answered questions and directed applicants to the post offices (McKinley and Frase 1970, 34–35 and 369). The Board twice had to ask the Post Office to extend its handling of the SSN applications, first through March 1937 and then through June 1937, before the Bureau of Old-Age Benefits could take over.

Effective July 1937, Bureau field offices, still numbering only 175 with 1,702 total employees, took over the enumeration workload from the post offices (Zwintscher 1952, 90; SSA  1965, 25). By that time, some 35 million SSN s had been issued at a cost of $5.7 million ( SSA  1990, 1; McKinley and Frase 1970, 372).

And still the job was not finished. In July 1937 alone, Bureau field offices issued some 1.9 million additional SSN s (McKinley and Frase 1970, 368–373). Even with field office employees working evenings and Saturdays and with "managers and assistant managers, anyone who was available, pounding away at typewriters," the Bureau had to set up additional typing centers in its 12 regional offices to help with the workload ( SSA  1985, 10; SSA  1965, 32; SSA  1952).

Not all U.S. workers obtained SSN s during the initial registration period. This was because the original Social Security Act had excluded some types of employment from coverage, such as agricultural workers, domestic servants, casual labor, maritime workers, government employees, and the employees of philanthropic, educational, and similar institutions. The self-employed were also excluded from coverage. Seventy years ago, these exempt workers comprised about 40 percent of the working population. These groups were not covered primarily because of the administrative difficulty in collecting taxes and obtaining accurate wage reports (Department of Treasury 1947, 1; DeWitt, Béland, and Berkowitz 2008, 4).

Initially, only employees working in covered employment and aged 64 or younger were eligible to obtain an SSN . However, almost from the start, state unemployment compensation agencies began using SSN s to identify workers, and some employers tended to prefer hiring individuals who already possessed an SSN (Social Security Board 1938, 53). So, after a few months the Bureau began issuing SSN s to anyone who applied.

For over 20 years, Bureau field offices assigned SSN s, using blocks of prenumbered Social Security cards furnished to each office. Office staff simply typed the number holder's name on one of the prenumbered cards. For replacement cards, field office staff manually typed the SSN and name on a blank card. In 1961, issuance of original SSN s was centralized in Baltimore, but local offices continued to issue replacement cards. In March 1972, SSA began assigning SSN s and issuing cards exclusively from Baltimore via a computer-based system. 8 It was also in 1972 that all applicants for federal benefits were required to have their own SSN .

Maintaining the SSN Records

Space to handle the SS -5 application forms was found on three floors of the Candler Building, a large warehouse converted from a Coca-Cola bottling factory on the harbor in downtown Baltimore ( SSA  1961). Here the Bureau installed a "great battery" of International Business Machines ( IBM ) equipment 9 and deployed over 2,300 machine workers and checkers by December 9, 1936, to handle the applications as quickly as they came in (McKinley and Frase 1970, 33 and 364). At this time, a hiring "apportionment" was in effect, which meant the Bureau could only recruit a certain proportion of employees from each state. As a result, employees came from all parts of the country. It was thought that the central operation in the Candler building was temporary, and that the work would soon be dispersed to the 12 regions, so recruitment from distant states was logical ( SSA 1952). However, actual operations would reveal that decentralization was not really feasible.

The Baltimore Records Office used a nine-step process to create a permanent master record and to establish an earnings record for each individual. 10 One hundred applications and office record cards, numbered consecutively, were sent through each operation together with a control unit of nine cards (one for each step). The appropriate control card was removed at the end of a step and sent to a control file to track the status of each block (McKinley and Frase 1970, 375).

When the Records Office received the Form SS -5 and the accompanying OA -702 from the local offices, different clerks working independently converted the two sets of information into numerical codes that could be transferred to punch cards.

The first group of employees keyed information from the SS -5 into a master punch card for each individual. A tabulating machine used this master punch card to set up a numerical register of accounts stored in huge loose-leaf books. These volumes contained the SSN , name, and date of birth of each number holder. Each page contained 100  SSN s in numerical order. From these volumes, employees could learn the name and identifying information of an SSN 's owner in a fraction of the time that would be required to locate the master punch card (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 120–121). The master punch card was also used in the earnings-posting operation to establish an earnings ledger for each individual.

A second group of employees independently keyed the same information coded from the OA -702 to create an actuarial punch card (Fay and Wasserman 1938, 25). The actuarial punch card was created for actuarial and statistical purposes and was also used to set up the "visible index." Later known as the "National Employee Index Flexoline File" or just "Flexoline," the visual index consisted of strips of thin bamboo, 3/16 of an inch wide by 9 inches long—one for each SSN issued—set in a steel panel. The strips were inserted into the frame one by one, with some employees filing as many as 300 strips an hour. Each strip began with a 3-digit entry based on the Russell Soundex System (in which all surnames having the same basic consonants are grouped together), followed by the individual's surname, given name, middle initial, and SSN . The strips were mechanically prepared from the actuarial punch card and manually posted on the panel, sorted by the first letter of the surname and within each letter by phonetic code, then in each code group by the first seven letters of the first name, middle initial, year and month of birth, and SSN . Up to 1,600 panels were then hung on each rack (Staruch 1978, 29). The primary function of the visible index was to aid in the location of accounts when only the name of the owner and not the SSN was known (Wyatt and Wandel 1937, 121). For instance, employees referred to the index when a worker who had lost his or her card and did not know the SSN applied for a duplicate ( SSA  1964 and Staruch 1978, 29). Reportedly, experienced clerks were able to find any name and its corresponding account number in less than 60 seconds (Fay and Wasserman 1938, 25).

In addition, the SS -5 s were filmed on 16 millimeter, noninflammable film strips. In June 1938, officials bragged "This film is so compact that the entire file of 40 million photographed SS -5 s is stored in 10 ordinary letter-size file cabinets" (Fay and Wasserman 1938, 25).

In all, eight separate files were maintained:

• The SS -5 applications, sorted in numerical order.
• Photographs on 16 millimeter film strips of the SS -5 s, in numerical order.
• The master punch cards, in numerical order.
• The numerical register, in large loose-leaf books.
• Ledger sheets for maintaining earnings records, in numerical order.
• The OA -702 Office Records, in alphabetical order.
• The actuarial punch cards, in phonetic code surname order.
• The visible index, in phonetic code surname order (Fay and Wasserman 1938, 25–26).

By 1958, the Flexoline (visible index) contained 160 million strips in 750 steel A-frame stands, and SSA was adding an average of 7 million new strips each year. In August 1958, SSA began converting the Flexoline index to microfilm and began capturing new SSN records on magnetic tape, using a special machine to then transcribe the code directly from magnetic tape into a readable microfilm record (Staruch 1978, 29–30). By 1964, the 200 million names in the National Employee Index were contained on 2,005 reels of magnetic tape that Bureau employees accessed by means of high-speed microfilm readers ( SSA  1964). 11

In 1972, SSA created an electronic file, the Numerical Index File or Numident, to house the numerically-ordered master file of all assigned SSN s. In 1973, SSA began converting its legacy SS -5 records to the Numident electronic database, completing the conversion in 1979. There is one Numident record for each SSN ever assigned.

SSA makes changes in Numident SS -5 data only upon receipt of updated information from the SSN holder. Changes in the Numident result in the addition of a new entry or iteration to the Numident record for the individual; information is never overlaid on a previous SSN Numident entry. 12 Most changes are initiated when an SSN holder completes an SS -5 requesting a replacement card or a change in the name, sex, or date of birth information on the Numident. Additionally, SSA employees may take action to change identifying information on the Numident for a person while taking a claim or processing postentitlement events. Each Numident record can contain up to 300 Numident entries (iterations) representing an addition or change to the Numident information for a person. About half of Numident records have multiple entries.

Until recently SSA also maintained a separate SSN master file indexed by cardholder name. The Alpha Index File or Alphident enabled SSA employees to search by name if the number was unknown. In the process of modernizing SSA 's master files, this file was converted to an IBM DB 2 relational database linked to the Numident file. This database provides the same basic functionality as the Alphident. Like the Flexoline, the DB 2 uses the Russell Soundex Coding System to group all surnames that have the same basic consonant sounds. When an individual's identifying information is available, an SSA employee can attempt to locate the SSN using a key based on the Soundex version of the last name, plus the first 4 characters of the first name, plus the century, year, and month of birth. SSA has designated this database a sensitive file and access is restricted.

Handling SSN Assignment Problems

From the beginning, the process of assigning SSN s included quality checks. SSA employees had to account for every number and explain any missing serial numbers fully. Also, the SS -5 s and the OA -702 s were coded separately by different clerks and were later compared as a quality check (Fay and Wasserman 1938, 24).

Still, as one might expect, an undertaking as enormous as enumerating 35 million workers in one concentrated effort was bound to encounter some problems. Many individuals received multiple SSN s. Some people were under the impression that the more SSN s they received, the better. Others thought they needed a new SSN for each new job. Workers sometimes lost their original number and applied for a new one. Also, a great many unemployed and WPA employees applied for SSN s both during the initial registration and again through WPA or private employment registration. Sample studies in 1937 or early 1938 indicated that duplicate account numbers had been issued to not more than 3 or 4 percent of the applicants (Corson 1938, 4).

In 1938, a wallet manufacturer in Lockport, New York, the E.H. Ferree Company, decided to promote its product by showing how a Social Security card would fit into the wallet. The company vice president thought it would be clever to use a sample card with his secretary's actual SSN . The wallet was sold at Woolworth's 13 and many other large department stores, and the SSN was widely distributed. Many purchasers adopted the SSN as their own—5,755 people were using it in the peak year 1943, and 12 were still using it as late as 1977. In all, SSA received 40,000 incorrect earnings reports under this SSN , which had to be reassigned laboriously to proper SSN s. SSA voided the much-used number and issued a new SSN to the secretary ( SSA n.d. c).

About a dozen similar cases of individuals adopting a made-up SSN shown on a facsimile card have occurred. In one case, the Social Security Board itself issued a pamphlet with the made-up number 219-09-9999 that was adopted by an individual ( SSA n.d. c).

Also, prior to 1961 SSA field offices issued new SSN s. Only a fraction of these SSN assignments were screened at the central office for a previously assigned SSN , and then only manually (Long 1993, 84). Thus, issuing duplicate SSN s was possible. Beginning in 1961, the central office in Baltimore issued all new SSN s, but it was not until 1970 that an electronic method of checking for previously issued SSN s (called " EVAN " for "electronic verification of alleged numbers") was devised ( SSA 1990, 4). Today, automated systems with sophisticated matching routines screen for previously issued SSN s.

SSA has since introduced more rigorous verification procedures. On April 15, 1974, SSA implemented evidence requirements (age, identity, and citizenship/alien status) for applicants for an original SSN who are foreign-born, or are U.S. -born and age 18 or older. Then, on May 15, 1978, SSA began requiring evidence of age, identity, and citizenship/alien status from all applicants for original SSN s, and evidence of identity for replacement Social Security cards. In addition, all foreign-born applicants for replacement cards were required to submit evidence of citizenship/alien status.

Also, in 1979 SSA created an electronic file called MULTX from a set of punch cards identifying multiple SSN s that was maintained by SSA 's Office of Earnings Operations. As of December 2007, SSA had identified and cross-referenced in the MULTX file over 4.7 million individuals with multiple SSN s, about 93 percent of whom have only two SSN s. Generally, those with multiple SSN s are the "very old" on the Numident; a study conducted in 2002 showed a weighted average age of 82.9 ( SSA 2002). The requirement for proof of age and identity for SSN applicants beginning in 1974 combined with the implementation of an automated SSN screening system in 1984 have significantly reduced the multiple- SSN problems.

Under a few rare circumstances, SSA may legitimately issue a new SSN to a person with a prior SSN . The conditions are highly restrictive. SSA will assign a new SSN to a victim of harassment, abuse, or life endangerment if the individual provides evidence to substantiate the allegations. In addition, SSA may assign a new SSN to an individual who is a victim of SSN misuse, which means that the number has been used with criminal or harmful intent and the individual has been subjected to economic or personal hardship. Third party evidence is necessary for SSA to substantiate an individual's allegation of SSN misuse. However, an individual should consider changing his or her SSN only as a last resort because getting a new SSN may adversely impact one's ability to interact with federal agencies, state agencies, and employers, as all of the individual's records will be under the former SSN .

Applying for an SSN Today

Just as it was in 1936, today a person must complete an application to obtain an original or replacement SSN or to change the information in SSA 's Numident records. There are a number of ways to initiate the application process.

The paper form a person completes to apply for an original SSN or a replacement card or to make changes to SSA 's Numident record is still the SS -5 . The SS -5 application is available online 14 or in any SSA field office. The application and required evidence can be taken or mailed to any Social Security office for processing. An in-person interview is required if the applicant is age 12 or older and is applying for an original SSN . The Veterans Affairs Regional Office ( VARO ) in Manila also accepts SS -5 applications for an original SSN or a replacement card, as do all U.S. Foreign Service posts and all military posts outside the United States. SSA employees key the SS -5 application data and evidence into the SSA computer system, which uses the information to create or update the Numident. The signed SS -5 application is retained for a short period in the field office, and then is sent to a records center in Pennsylvania for microfilming. Once microfilmed, the original SS -5 is destroyed. 15

In August 1987, SSA began a three-state pilot of the "Enumeration at Birth" ( EAB ) process in which the parent of a newborn can request an SSN as part of the state's birth registration process. Additional states began to participate in EAB in July 1988. By the end of 1991, 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and New York City had signed agreements (Long 1993, 83). Today, over 90 percent of parents use the EAB process offered in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. SSA receives nearly three-quarters of original SSN applications through the EAB process and issues over 4 million SSN s via EAB each year ( SSA  2006). No microfilm SS -5 exists for a record created through the EAB process.

Beginning in 2002, SSA began another pilot program referred to as Enumeration at Entry ( EaE ) that allows noncitizens admitted for permanent residence to obtain SSN s and Social Security cards based on data collected as part of the immigration process. This pilot was expanded worldwide in early 2003. EaE is a joint effort involving the Department of State ( DoS ), DHS , and SSA . Under EaE , a person aged 18 or older can apply for both an immigrant visa and an SSN at a DoS office in his or her home country. If the visa is granted, then DoS transmits the identifying data from the person's visa/ SSN application to DHS . If and when the person is physically admitted to the United States, DHS updates certain data, if necessary, and sends it to SSA for the SSN to be assigned and the card to be issued. All noncitizens enumerated through EaE receive an SSN in the special area number series 729 through 733. As of January 20, 2009, SSA had issued 429,959 original and 114,714 replacement SSN s through the EaE process. SSA is currently working with DoS and DHS on expanding the EaE process to additional noncitizens.

Also in 2002, SSA began to open offices dedicated entirely to handling Social Security number business. The first Social Security Card Center ( SSCC ) opened in Brooklyn, NY , in November 2002. Six more SSCC s have since opened: Las Vegas, NV , in April 2005; Jamaica, NY , in July 2006; Downtown and North Phoenix, AZ , in October 2007; Orlando, FL , in March 2008; and Sacramento, CA , in November 2008. Generally, any individuals who live in the service area of a Card Center and need an original or replacement card must visit the Card Center rather than their local field office.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act ( IRTPA ) of 2004 (Public Law ( P.L. ) 108-458) placed limits on the number of replacement Social Security cards an individual can receive. Beginning with cards issued on or after December 17, 2005, individuals may only receive three Social Security cards per year and 10 in a lifetime, with certain exceptions, such as correcting errors or name changes.

The information currently requested on the SS -5 is:

• Name to be shown on the card
• Full name at birth, if different
• Other names used
• Mailing address
• Citizenship or alien status
• Race/ethnic description ( SSA does not receive this information under EAB )
• Mother's name at birth
• Mother's SSN ( SSA collects this information for the Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) on an original application for a child under age 18. SSA does not retain these data.)
• Fathers' name
• Father's SSN ( SSA collects this information for IRS on an original application for a child under age 18. SSA does not retain these data.)
• Whether applicant ever filed for an SSN before
• Prior SSN s assigned
• Name on most recent Social Security card
• Different date of birth if used on an earlier SSN application.
• Date application completed
• Phone number
• Applicant's relationship to the number holder

Evidentiary Requirements

At the inception of the program, all SSN s were assigned and cards issued based solely on information provided by the applicant. However, in the 1970s, SSA began requiring proof of age, identity, and citizenship.

SSA has instituted numerous evidentiary requirements to further safeguard and preserve the integrity of the SSN and to ensure assignment of SSN s and issuance of cards only to eligible individuals. Exhibit 1 shows the effective dates of changes in policy on evidentiary requirements.

Expanding Uses of the SSN

The original purpose of the SSN was to enable the Social Security Board to maintain accurate records of the earnings of individuals who worked in jobs covered under the Social Security program. The card was never intended to serve as a personal identification document—that is, it does not establish that the person presenting the card is actually the person whose name and SSN appear on the card. Although SSA has made the card counterfeit-resistant, the card does not contain information that would allow it to be used as proof of identity. However, the simplicity and efficiency of using a unique number that most people already possess has encouraged widespread use of the SSN by both government agencies and private enterprises, especially as they have adapted their recordkeeping and business systems to automated data processing. Use of the SSN as a convenient means of identifying people in large systems of records has increased over the years and its expanded use appears to be an enduring trend. Generally, there are no restrictions in federal law precluding the use of the SSN by the private sector, so businesses may ask individuals for an SSN whenever they wish (Streckewald 2006).

The expansion of SSN use began in 1943 with Executive Order ( EO ) 9397 requiring federal agencies to use the SSN for the purpose of identifying individuals in any new record systems. Although there was considerable delay in other agencies adopting its use, the coming of the computer age in the 1960s led government agencies and private industry alike to find many uses for the SSN .

In 1971, an SSA task force studied issues raised by nonprogram use of the SSN and proposed that SSA take a "cautious and conservative" position and do nothing to promote its use as an identifier. In 1973, a report of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now Health and Human Services) concluded that the adoption of a national identifier was not desirable, and that the SSN was not suitable for such a purpose ( SSA  1997). Nevertheless, Congressional legislation and federal agency regulations require the collection of SSN s for myriad purposes, as detailed in Exhibit 2.

With the many purposes legally requiring an SSN , the need for a U.S. resident to possess one has become nearly universal. The universality of SSN ownership has in turn led to the SSN 's adoption by private industry as a unique identifier.

Unfortunately, this universality has led to abuse of the SSN . Most notoriously, the SSN is a key piece of information used to commit identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), "Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes." The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year ( FTC   n.d. ). Identity theft has reached such proportions that President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13402 on May 10, 2006, establishing the President's Identity Theft Task Force. The task force reported:

The simplicity and efficiency of using a seemingly unique number that most people already possessed encouraged widespread use of the SSN as an identifier by both government agencies and private enterprises, especially as they adapted their record-keeping and business systems to automated data processing. The use of SSN s is now common in our society.

Employers must collect SSN s for tax reporting purposes. Doctors or hospitals may need them to facilitate Medicare reimbursement. SSN s also are used in internal systems to sort and track information about individuals, and in some cases are displayed on identification cards. In 2004, an estimated 42 million Medicare cards displayed the entire SSN , as did approximately 8 million Department of Defense insurance cards. In addition, although the Veterans Health Administration ( VHA ) discontinued the issuance of Veterans Identification Cards that display SSN s in March 2004, and has issued new cards that do not display SSN s, the VHA estimates that between 3 million and 4 million previously issued cards containing SSN s remain in circulation with veterans receiving VA health care services. Some universities still use the SSN as the students' identification number for a range of purposes, from administering loans to tracking grades, and may place it on students' identification cards, although usage for these purposes is declining.

SSN s also are widely available in public records held by federal agencies, states, local jurisdictions, and courts. As of 2004, 41 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 75 percent of U.S. counties, displayed SSN s in public records. Although the number and type of records in which SSN s are displayed vary greatly across states and counties, SSN s are most often found in court and property records (President's Identity Theft Task Force 2007, 23–24).

Verifying SSN s

Because individuals sometimes use SSN s that do not belong to them, either through error or deliberately, it is important to ensure that an SSN matches SSA records before accepting it.

Today, SSA electronically verifies that an SSN and the name associated with it match those in SSA 's records before issuing a replacement Social Security card, posting a wage item to the Master Earnings File, or establishing a claims record. Also, when disclosure laws allow, many federal and state agencies use an SSA verification system to verify SSN s. Registered private employers can also verify a worker's SSN . In addition, SSA receives requests for SSN verification from third parties who have obtained the consent of the individuals involved.

However, SSN s were in use for many years before electronic verification was in place. During the 1950s, SSA initiated a manual screening routine of the microfilm file to search for a previously assigned number.

SSA 's first electronic system was not developed until 1970, when electronic verification of alleged numbers ( EVAN ) was introduced for internal use at field offices with Advanced Records System ( ARS ) submission. In 1975, SSA 's Bureau of Data Processing implemented the Full Registration and Identification System ( FRIS ) which expanded electronic screening capabilities and added electronic validation of SSN s ( SSA  1990, 5). In 1983, SSA implemented the Enumeration Verification System ( EVS ) for verifying batches of SSN s; EVS employed a series of verification routines that are still in use. In 1984, SSA created the Automated Enumeration Screening Process ( AESP ) to run every application for an original or replacement card through the Alphident (since converted to a database linked to the Numident file) to determine if the data on the incoming record match one or more existing records using a complex scoring system. If a potential match is indicated between an existing record and an application for an original SSN , the field office is alerted to resolve the matter. If no previously established record is found, an original SSN is issued to the applicant ( SSA  2003, 8–12).

In more recent years, SSA has developed a number of SSN verification systems for internal and external use. Having multiple systems allows SSA to customize the input and output. Those for external entities generally indicate whether the data submitted match SSA records, and whether the SSN holder has died, but will not disclose additional information to the requestor. A few examples are described below.

The Consent Based SSN Verification Service ( CBSV ) is available to enrolled private companies and federal, state, and local agencies to verify that the submitted name and SSN match SSA records. The recent consent of the SSN holder to release the information is required. 16

When a person lacking a valid driver's license registers to vote, the individual can provide his or her name, date of birth, and the last four digits of his or her SSN instead. The state then submits this information to SSA 's Help America Vote Verification ( HAVV ) system to verify that the submitted data match SSA records.

State Departments of Motor Vehicles use the Social Security OnLine Verification ( SSOLV ) system to verify names and SSN s for the issuance of new and renewal driver's licenses and identity cards.

The SSN Verification Service ( SSNVS ) is a free Internet-based system that can be used by registered employers for SSN verification prior to wage reporting. Real-time service is provided for 10 requests or less, and overnight processing is provided for up to 250,000  SSN s. 17

The E-Verify program (previously known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification System), administered by DHS with SSA 's support, can be used by employers to verify the SSN and confirm employment authorization under immigration law for newly hired employees. The employer enters the name, SSN , date of birth, and alleged citizenship/alien status from DHS Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification into the E-Verify system. E-Verify automatically matches this information against SSA 's Numident, as well as DHS immigration records if the hire is a noncitizen. The employer receives an electronic response indicating either that employment is authorized or that the data do not match the information in SSA 's or DHS ' records. Use of the verification program is voluntary in most parts of the United States, but 13 states require certain employers to use it for new hires. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website indicates that 109,211 employers, representing close to 434,000 worksites, were registered to use E-Verify as of February 2009.

A proposed amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act to extend authorization for the E-Verify program for 5 years was tabled; the bill instead extended authorization through September 30, 2009.

Enhancing the Social Security Card

In addition to developing verification systems to allow authorized users to determine if SSN information matches SSA data, SSA has also taken steps to help guard against fraudulent Social Security cards. Because an SSN is needed for work and has been adopted for many other uses, a market for counterfeit Social Security cards has developed.

SSA has taken and continues to take steps to strengthen the integrity of the Social Security card and guard against its misuse. One of the first steps was to distinguish whether cards were valid for work purposes. In 1974, SSA began assigning SSN s for nonwork purposes when such use of an SSN was authorized by law. Initially, the nonwork cards looked the same as cards issued to citizens and aliens authorized to work. In May 1982, SSA began annotating cards issued for nonwork purposes with the legend "not valid for employment."

The 1981 Omnibus Reconciliation Act ( P.L. 97-123) added alteration and forgery of a Social Security card to the list of prohibited acts and also increased the penalties for such acts. In 1983, section 205(c)(2)(G) of the Social Security Act was amended to require that the "social security card shall be made of bank-note paper and (to the maximum extent practicable) shall be a card which cannot be counterfeited" ( P.L. 98-21). SSA worked with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) to design a card that met these requirements. Changes were made to the card stock to make any attempt to erase or remove data easily detectable, and a form of printing with a raised effect that is difficult to replicate was used. Other features not obvious to the naked eye were also added.

In 1988, to prevent photocopy counterfeits, a security feature that displays as "void" when photocopied was added. Also in 1988, legislation increased the monetary penalties for SSN violations. In September 1992, SSA began to annotate Social Security cards for aliens with temporary work authorization "valid for work only with INS [now DHS ] authorization."

Immigration and welfare reform legislation enacted in August 1996 ( P.L. 104-208 and P.L. 104-193, respectively) directed SSA to develop a prototype of a counterfeit-resistant Social Security card and report to Congress on the feasibility of using such cards. The prototype was to be made of a durable, tamper-resistant material such as plastic or polyester; was to employ technologies that provide security features, such as magnetic stripes, holograms, and integrated circuits; and was to provide individuals with reliable proof of citizenship or legal resident alien status.

SSA interpreted this provision as calling for consideration of techniques that could link the card to the assigned number holder, such as including identifying information about the card holder on the card itself, or adding the number holder's picture, fingerprint, biometric identifier, or some combination of such features in or on the card (Donnelly 1999).

In September 1997, SSA published its findings in the Report to Congress on Options for Enhancing the Social Security Card. The seven options that SSA developed included:

• Plastic card
• Card with the number holder's picture
• Card with a secure barcode data storage stripe
• Card with an optical memory storage stripe
• Card with magnetic stripe
• Card with magnetic stripe and the number holder's picture
• Microprocessor card with a magnetic stripe and a picture

SSA estimated that the cost at that time of issuing an enhanced card to almost 300 million card holders would range, depending on the type of card, from $5.1 billion to $10.5 billion. The estimates included the costs of verifying the identity of the applicant and establishing a system to collect a user fee (Donnelly 1999). SSA was not required to adopt any of the options. To some extent, passage of the REAL ID Act in 2005, which imposes standards on states for the issuance of driver's licenses and identification cards, diminished the need for SSA to develop a card for identification ( SSA  2008).

In 2004, the IRTPA legislation required SSA , in consultation with DHS , to form an interagency task force to establish requirements for further improving the security of Social Security cards and numbers and to provide for implementation of those requirements. The task force was formed in January 2006 and included several other agencies, such as the FBI , the DoS , and the Government Printing Office. The task force issued its recommendations in May 2006. As a result, additional security features were added to the card in 2007. These include:

• Latent images that can be seen when the card is viewed at an angle.
• Color shifting ink (similar to that used on $20 bills) that changes colors when the card is viewed from different angles.
• A new production method that blends different color inks on the background of the card (colors flow from blue to aqua).
• Adding issuance date to the front of the card.

Other features added to the card are not apparent to the naked eye and for security reasons are not disclosed to the public.

Another change made to the Social Security card in 2007 was to put the first name and last name of the card holder on separate lines. This change was recommended by employer groups to help them distinguish the correct last name of an employee.

The expertise of counterfeiters and the widespread availability of state-of-the-art technology make it increasingly difficult to develop and maintain a document that cannot be counterfeited. SSA continues to evaluate new technology as it becomes available to determine if additional features should be included to make it more difficult to alter or counterfeit the card. In addition to the physical changes made to the Social Security card, SSA has taken many other steps to strengthen the integrity of the enumeration process by requiring evidence of age, citizenship, and identity, and by verifying this information, as noted in the section on evidentiary requirements.

The use of the SSN has expanded substantially since its inception in 1936. Created merely to keep track of the earnings history of U.S. workers for Social Security entitlement and benefit computation purposes, it has become a number assigned at birth and used by many government agencies to identify individuals and by private industry to track an individual's financial history.

That trend has begun to shift. As early as December 2004, IRTPA legislation prohibited states from displaying the SSN on driver's licenses or motor vehicle registrations. In 2007, the President's Identity Theft Task Force (2007, 3) included among its SSN recommendations that "federal agencies should reduce the unnecessary use of SSN s, the most valuable commodity for an identity thief."

On November 18, 2008, President George W. Bush issued EO  13478 rescinding the 1943  EO requiring all federal agencies to use the SSN as an identifier. Then in December, the FTC (2008) issued a plea to companies, schools, and other private entities to find better ways to authenticate identities than using the SSN . State and local entities have begun to delete SSN s on electronic versions of public records. Congress has also considered legislation that would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to use an alternative to the SSN as the Medicare claim number. Even SSA , which created the SSN for its program use, has ceased to print the full SSN on some of its correspondence with beneficiaries (Lockhart 2002). The agency now advises individuals to keep their Social Security card in a safe place and not to carry it with them ( SSA  2007a).

Federal survey-takers are also finding that as respondents have become more aware of the risk of identity theft, they are less willing to supply SSN s that are useful in linking the agency's survey data with administrative records from other agencies. For the Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation, the share of respondents who did not provide their SSN increased from 12 percent in 1996 to 35 percent in 2004. Likewise, the share of respondents who did not provide an SSN for the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey increased from 10 percent in 1994 to almost 23 percent in 2003 (Bates 2004, 4). The National Center for Health Statistics reports a similar problem.

Still, it is highly unlikely that use of the SSN as a unique identifier will cease entirely. In order to share data among government agencies or between commercial firms, a unique identifier to match records is critically important, and the SSN is the one unique tag that follows an individual throughout life. People may change their names and addresses throughout their lives, but their SSN s generally will remain the same. Of course, the SSN will also still be used for its original purpose—to track earnings in SSA records. The SSN is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

SSA will continue to assess its policies and procedures to further strengthen the integrity of the enumeration process to prevent SSN fraud and misuse, as well as to protect the important personal information with which it is entrusted. SSA is a member of the Identity Theft Task Force and will continue to work with other members to protect, to the maximum extent possible, the integrity of the SSN .

  1 In addition, effective January 1, 1937, workers attaining age 65 could apply for a lump-sum payment (equal to 3.5 percent of wages earned after December 31, 1936) in lieu of monthly benefit payments. Payment of monthly benefits was initially postponed until January 1942; the 1939 Amendments to the Social Security Act moved the date up to January 1940.

  2 Stuart Rick, a Census Bureau representative on this committee, foresaw that the SSN would eventually become part of three registration episodes—birth, employment, and death—and looked "toward the ultimate acceptance of universal registration" (McKinley and Frase 1970, 322).

  3 Assignment of area numbers by state is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/stateweb.htm .

  4 SSA makes a list of which groups of SSN s have been assigned available at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer /ssnvhighgroup.htm .

  5 An image of the original design of the Social Security card is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssn /designssn.html .

  6 This pamphlet is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssb36.html .

  7 Images of the posters are available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/pubaffairs.html .

  8 For the number of original SSN s issued each year, see www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssn /ssnvolume.html .

  9 Some early SSA officials credit SSA with providing the specifications for the collating machine that was responsible for IBM 's takeoff in the business world. See Interview with Jack Futterman at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/jackforal.html and The Bureau—a profile at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/oasis /oasisnews3.html .

10 For a more detailed explanation of the early SSN records maintenance process, see the June 1938 Social Security Bulletin at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/fay638.html and Your Social Security Record—1955 at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssa/yourss55.html .

11 For pictures of the Flexoline and the subsequent magnetic tape operation, see www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssa /usa1964-3.html and also www.socialsecurity.gov/history/candlerops.html .

12 In certain limited situations, SSA may delete an iteration and add a new one to correct errors.

13 A major retailer, Woolworth's was the Wal-Mart of its era.

14 The Form SS -5 Application for a Social Security Number is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf .

15 However, SS -5 s for applicants aged 18 or older for original SSN s are retained for 5 years before being destroyed.

16 See www.socialsecurity.gov/cbsv/ for additional information about CBSV .

17 See www.socialsecurity.gov/employer /ssnvs_handbk.htm for additional information about SSNVS .

Barron, Erma, and Felix Bamberger. 1982. Meaning of the Social Security number. Social Security Bulletin 45(11): 29–30.

Bates, Nancy. 2004. Quantitative testing of informed consent questions in an RDD survey: Summary report, phase 2: 2004 questionnaire design and evaluation research survey. Unpublished Census Bureau document.

Corson, John J. 1938. Administering Old-Age Insurance. Social Security Bulletin 1(5): 3–6. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/corson538.html .

Department of Treasury, Division of Tax Research. 1947. The extension of old-age and survivors insurance to agricultural and domestic service workers and to the self-employed. As reported in Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, SSA . Reports Book, 1935–36 . Vol 2. Washington, DC .

DeWitt, Larry W., Daniel Béland, and Edward D. Berkowitz. 2008. Social Security: A documentary history . Washington, DC : Congressional Quarterly Press.

Donnelly, Glenna. 1999. Prepared testimony before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims. Counterfeiting and misuse of the Social Security card and state and local documents. (July 22). 106 th Cong., 1 st sess. Committee on the Judiciary Serial No.  60. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/testimony _072299.html .

[ FTC ] Federal Trade Commission. 2008. Security in numbers: SSN s and ID theft. Available at www.ftc.gov/os/2008/12 /P075414ssnreport.pdf .

———. No date. About identity theft. Available at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers /about-identity-theft.html.

Fay, Joseph L., and Max J. Wasserman. 1938. Accounting operations of the Bureau of Old-Age Insurance. Social Security Bulletin 1(6): 24–28. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/fay638.html .

Lockhart, James B. 2002. Testimony before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security and the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims. Preserving the integrity of Social Security numbers and preventing their misuse by terrorists and identity thieves. (September 19). 107 th Cong., 2 nd sess. Committee on Ways and Means Serial No.  107-81, Committee on the Judiciary Serial No.  102. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation /testimony_091902.html .

Long, Wayne S. 1993. Social Security numbers issued: A 20-year review. Social Security Bulletin 56(1): 83–86.

McKinley, Charles, and Robert W. Frase. 1970. Launching Social Security: A capture-and-record account, 1935–1937. Madison, WI : The University of Wisconsin Press.

President's Identity Theft Task Force. 2007. Combating identity theft: A strategic plan. Available at www.idtheft.gov/reports/StrategicPlan.pdf.

[ SSA ] Social Security Administration. 1952. The Bureau—a profile. OASIS News 12(1). Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/oasis /oasisnews3.html .

———. 1961. "Then and now" in the Division of Accounting Operations. The Bulletin 23(45): 2–14. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/candlerops.html .

———. 1964. From account number to benefit—how we operate. Social Security U.S.A —the program & its administration . Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssa/usa1964-3.html .

———. 1965. Social Security Act: 30 years of building. OASIS 11(8): 24–29. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/oasis /august1965.pdf .

———. 1985. SSA pioneers recall the early days. OASIS . 31(7): 12–17. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/oasis /julyaugust1985.pdf .

———. 1990. The history of the Social Security card. Baltimore, MD : SSA Historian's Office.

———. 1997. Report to Congress on options for enhancing the Social Security card. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history/reports /ssnreport.html .

———. 2002. Study results and options for the MULTX file. Unpublished internal document.

———. 2003. SSN verification policy, process, and recommendations: A report of the SSN verification sub-team to the Enumeration Response Team. Unpublished internal document.

———. 2006. Follow-up of the enumeration at birth program. Audit report A-08-06-26003. Baltimore, MD : SSA , Office of the Inspector General. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/ADOBEPDF /audittxt /A-08-06-26003.htm.

———. 2007a. Identity theft and your Social Security number. Publication No.  05-10064. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html .

———. 2007b. Protecting the integrity of Social Security Numbers ( SSN s). Federal Register (72)127: 36540 (July 3). Available at edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-12831.pdf .

———. 2008. The Social Security Administration's compliance with Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 provision regarding security of Social Security cards and numbers. Audit report A-08-08-18058. Baltimore, MD : SSA , Office of the Inspector General. Available at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/ADOBEPDF /audittxt /A-08-08-18058.htm.

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Baby boomers living on $1,000 a month in Social Security share their retirement experience: 'I never imagined being in this position.'

• The Retirement Income Institute found over half of baby boomers had less than $250,000 in assets.
• With limited savings, many older adults are dependent on just more than $1,000 monthly in Social Security.
• For many, Social Security income is insufficient to cover groceries, healthcare, and bills. 

Virginia Hambrick, 66, is retired but worried she'll have to return to work . Her savings are long gone, and her $1,625 monthly Social Security check isn't nearly enough to support her and her husband's expenses.

The couple lives in a rural area about 50 miles outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hambrick had a long career in the manufacturing and hospitality industries but retired in the early 2010s with limited savings . Her husband has been caring for sick relatives for the past several years and doesn't have an income. Additionally, he's 57, and his Social Security check won't kick in until he's at least 62.

Hambrick needs more money. Every day, it's difficult to scrape together enough food to eat, and her bills feel never-ending. But even if she were to find a job, she worries about maintaining it. She can't afford a car or gas to drive anywhere, and she doubts she could work in retail or food service because she struggles to stand for hours at a time.

"If somebody wants to work around my limitations, then they would have a totally dedicated employee," Hambrick previously told Business Insider .

Hambrick's story echoes that of many American baby boomers. The country is facing a retirement crisis , and millions of older adults don't have the savings or assets to support themselves when they're no longer earning a paycheck.

In a Northwestern Mutual survey, US adults said they expected to need about $1.5 million to comfortably retire, and that number could be higher if you live in a high-cost-of-living city.

But there's a disconnect. An April report from the Retirement Income Institute , the retirement-focused research arm of the Alliance for Lifetime Income, found that 52% of boomers had $250,000 or less in retirement assets. And the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey found that more than half of Americans over 65 had an annual income of $30,000 or less . This pushes some older adults close to the federal poverty line .

Perhaps most vulnerable to this retirement crisis are " peak boomers ," the last members of the generation who turn 65 this year. They're feeling the fallout of America's 1980s switch from government pensions to employee-funded 401(k)s and hope not to be financial burdens on their adult children. The group also faces uncertainty over Social Security — the average check in 2024 is $1,907 , but the federal fund could start shrinking by 2030 .

With drained savings accounts, growing debt, and limited assets, some older adults such as Hambrick are clinging to their monthly Social Security checks . But for many, it isn't enough.

"I never imagined being in this position," Hambrick said.

With no savings, some older adults depend on Social Security

Mary Dacus, 69, thought she'd have a savings account at this point in her life. She and her husband, Stephen, felt comfortable for a few years after they stopped working several years ago. But she said that after their retirement funds depleted and inflation drove up their expenses , they now barely have enough money to live every day.

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Dacus and her husband live in Robinson, Illinois, on their combined monthly Social Security income of $2,140. They have no money in case of an emergency and are nearly $10,000 in debt because they feel forced to pay grocery, housing, and healthcare bills on their credit cards .

Dacus often has to rely on food pantries to make sure she and her husband have enough to eat — they receive only $23 a month in SNAP benefits, and it "barely covers one meal," she said. Sometimes, she has to request an advance on their Social Security checks so they can pay for their meals or utilities.

And Dacus worries that Stephen's recent cancer diagnosis could be financially "catastrophic" because they don't have Medicaid and Medicare won't cover long-term treatment.

Looming Social Security cuts in the next decade are a source of constant anxiety for Dacus.

"It scares us to death because we'll still be here, God-willing," she previously told BI . "How are we to survive?"

To be sure, some older adults feel financially secure in retirement . Because of strong company 401(k) matches or savvy investments , some have savings and assets and aren't dependent on Social Security — and some are even able to retire early .

It can be difficult for boomers to qualify for assistance, even with a low income

Angela Babin feels stuck. The 62-year-old lives alone in a mobile home in Houma, Louisiana, about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans. She receives $1,104 a month in Social Security.

Babin lost most of her would-be retirement savings and assets in a divorce about 16 years ago and stopped working earlier than she planned because of health complications. She now lives paycheck to paycheck — and $1,000 a month isn't enough to cover her food, car, or utility bills. Her home was also badly damaged three years ago by Hurricane Ida , and she can't afford the necessary repairs, which she said state emergency funds won't fully cover.

"I don't want to be rich, I just need to be comfortable," she previously told BI . "I just want to know that I can have food when I need it and a nice roof over my head."

Babin said it's especially difficult for older adults to qualify for government assistance even if their Social Security income doesn't cover basic necessities. She's often worried about having enough to eat: The $28 a month she receives from SNAP covers bread, milk, and coffee but little else. She said that when she could visit a food pantry, the food was often spoiled.

Even without savings, Babin doesn't qualify for many of America's safety nets. Programs that could supplement her income, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and some tax credits are set up for parents with dependent children .

As an older adult, she doesn't know who to ask for help. She said she "has to survive" but was losing hope that her situation would change.

Some older adults didn't expect to struggle in retirement

Boomers are staring down an uncertain future . Hambrick, Dacus, and Babin all told BI they didn't feel as if they were overspending. But limited government assistance, insufficient funds from Social Security, and no savings to fall back on aren't enough to pay bills.

Hambrick said she thought she'd be "traveling to new places and having fun" with her husband in retirement, not that she'd have to start submitting job applications.

"A lot of people think that, with Social Security, you get this big check, and you can move to Florida , and you could buy a boat and go fishing," Dacus said. "That's not what it is."

Are you an older adult living on Social Security? Are you open to sharing how you're saving for retirement? If so, reach out to this reporter at [email protected] .

Watch: Millions of homes could flood the US housing market thanks to boomers

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