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How are Social Security numbers assigned?

Social Security numbers, also known as SSNs, are allocated through a process called randomization that was introduced in June 2011. This system retains the long-standing nine-digit format but assigns a number to each new Social Security cardholder randomly, eliminating methods that date to the inception of Social Security in the mid-1930s.

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Those XXX-XX-XXXX numbers allow the Social Security Administration to track individual workers’ lifetime earnings, data it uses to calculate and pay benefits .

Before the 2011 switch, the first three digits were an area number with codes assigned to different states. The two-digit group number divided numbers into blocks within those geographic areas, and the four-digit serial number individualized each full number within that block.

The original system reflected the record-keeping needs of a bygone era when Social Security data was organized for storage in filing cabinets. Besides being better suited to the digital age, randomization serves two main purposes:

  • It makes life harder for identity thieves . Eliminating the geographical component of the first three digits makes it more difficult for crooks to reconstruct potential victims’ numbers using publicly available data like an address.
  • It extends the longevity of the nine-digit Social Security number. The old system limited the range of numbers that could be issued in a given state. When randomization was proposed in 2007, some states had fewer than 10 years’ worth of unassigned numbers.

Now, anyone from anywhere in the country can get one of the more than 400 million available nine-digit combos, giving the format a considerably longer life.

The new system also expanded the pool of numbers by allowing three-digit codes that were not used in the past as area numbers to start off SSNs, including some in the 700s and 800s. The numbers 000, 666 and 900–999 remain off-limits.

No existing Social Security numbers were replaced as a result of the change to randomization. The new system affects only numbers issued since it was put in place.

Keep in mind

Randomization will apply if you get a new Social Security number to replace a number assigned before the switch. However, Social Security grants requests to change a number only under very limited circumstances, including if the applicant is a victim of domestic violence or abuse or is suffering significant financial harm from identity theft.

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How Social Security Numbers are Assigned

Learn 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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Market Realist

How Are Social Security Numbers Assigned? All About the 9-Digit Number

Social Security numbers have become de facto national identification numbers used for many purposes. How are Social Security numbers assigned?

Anuradha Garg - Author

Dec. 14 2021, Published 1:38 p.m. ET

The SSA (Social Security Administration) issues the nine-digit SSN (social security number) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents. The SSA is an independent agency of the U.S. government. SSNs started as a way for the SSA to track individuals. Now, the numbers have become a form of national identification used for many purposes, including taxation. The numbers are also used for tracking individuals’ lifetime earnings, tracking the number of years they have worked, and calculating social security benefits .

The SSA issues three types of social security cards depending on your working status. While all three cards carry your name and SSN, the work status differs.

What are the three types of Social Security cards?

The three types of cards are:

  • The first card lets you work only without restriction - It's issued to U.S. citizens and people lawfully admitted to the U.S. on a permanent basis.
  • The second card lets you work only with DHS (Department of Homeland Security) authorization - It's issued to people lawfully admitted to the U.S. on a temporary basis who have DHS authorization to work.
  • The third card doesn't let you work - It's issued to people who are lawfully admitted to the U.S. without work authorization from DHS.

SSNs are assigned through randomization.

SSNs are assigned through a process called randomization , which was introduced in June 2011. The method did away with the methods that were used to assign numbers since the mid-1930s. On July 3, 2007, the SSA published its intent to randomize the nine-digit SSN in the Federal Register Notice.

Before this switch, the first set of three digits in the SSN was an area number. The codes were assigned to each state. The second set of two digits was called the group number, which divided numbers into blocks within those geographic areas. The final four-digit serial number individualized each full number within that block.

Please tell your friends and family not to give their social security number over the phone! #BBB #Scams #SocialSecurityNumber #SSN #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/yoQefkXZz8 — Tri-State BBB (@tristatebbb) August 16, 2018

What does the randomization method entail for Social Security numbers?

While the previously followed method was adopted at the time of manual bookkeeping, randomization is more suited to the digital age. Randomization serves two main purposes:

  • Randomization makes it difficult for identity thieves to reconstruct numbers using peoples’ publicly available information.
  • The method also extends the longevity of the numbers. The previous method limited the range of numbers that could be issued in a given state. Currently, there are about 420 million numbers available for assignment.

Due to the new method of assigning SSNs, no existing Social Security numbers were replaced. The new system only impacts numbers issued since it was put in place. Another thing to keep in mind is that randomization will apply if you get a new Social Security number to replace a number assigned before the switch. However, Social Security only grants requests to change a number under very limited circumstances.

How does the randomization method impact previous Social Security numbers?

The randomization method impacted the SSN assignment process in the following ways:

  • The method eliminated the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN.
  • Randomization eliminated the significance of the highest group number.
  • Previously unassigned area numbers were introduced for assignment excluding area numbers 000, 666, and 900–999.

Latest Social Security News and Updates

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Social Security Intelligence

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.

How are social security numbers assigned

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.

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Social Security Number (SSN)

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A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned to U.S. citizens , permanent residents , or temporary working residents. The SSN was created in 1936 to keep track of the earnings history of U.S. workers for social security entitlement and benefit computation purposes. Although the social security card was never intended to serve as a personal identification document, the SSN has also become used by many government agencies and other private entities to identify and track a person's financial history. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made the SSN card counterfeit resistant. However, the SSN card is not used as proof of identity because it does not contain personal information about the holder.

An applicant may obtain an SSN and the corresponding card by filling out Form SS-5 . A complete list of the required information for the SSN application, such as documentation that proves age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or immigration status, is listed in the Form SS-5. The application and issuance of the SSN card are free of charge for all persons.

The unique nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts:

  • The first three digits are the area number . The 3-digit area number is assigned by geographic region.
  • The next two digits are the group number, which ranges from 01 to 99 (00 is not used). 
  • The final four digits 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.

Please visit the SSA webpage for further information about the SSN.

[Last updated in November of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team ] 

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  • Why You Need a SSN
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The Purpose of Having a Social Security Number

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience covering personal finance, corporate finance and investing.

how are social security number assigned

Pete Rathburn is a copy editor and fact-checker with expertise in economics and personal finance and over twenty years of experience in the classroom.

how are social security number assigned

A Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number that the United States government issues to all U.S. citizens and eligible U.S. residents who apply for one. The government uses this number to keep track of your lifetime earnings and the number of years worked.

When the time comes to retire, or if you ever need to receive Social Security disability income, the government uses the information about your contributions to Social Security to determine your eligibility and calculate your benefit payments. Most people will use the same Social Security number their entire lives, though some people might need to apply for a replacement number at some point because of identity theft .

Keep reading below to find out more about when and why you need a Social Security number, as well as when you should avoid using it.

Key Takeaways

  • A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. 
  • In addition to Social Security, the SSN is now also used for a wide range of purposes.
  • These include obtaining credit, opening a bank account, obtaining government benefits or private insurance, and buying a home or a car, among many other pursuits.

When and Why You Need a Social Security Number

Anytime you get hired for a new job, your employer will ask for your Social Security number. Your employer’s accounting department will use this number to report your income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and your Social Security wages to the Social Security Administration.

Your employer will also use it for state income tax reporting, unless your state doesn’t have an income tax. Employers who participate in E-Verify, a program to make sure employees can legally work in the U.S., also must obtain your Social Security number before you can begin work.

Below are some other common scenarios where you’ll need to provide your Social Security number.

When Opening an Account with Any U.S. Financial Institution

Since 1970, the federal government has required banks to obtain customers’ Social Security numbers or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) . Financial institutions use your SSN to check your credit, to report your interest and investment income or losses to the IRS, to report your tax-deductible mortgage interest to the IRS, and to manage your account.

As an alternative, some financial institutions will accept a taxpayer identification number (on some forms, also called an Employer Identification Number, or EIN), which you’ll need to apply for through the IRS. 

When Applying for a Federal Loan

The government will use your Social Security number to make sure you’re eligible when you apply for a federal loan, such as a federal student loan. For example, to qualify for federal student loans , you must not be in default on another federal loan, you must have eligible citizenship or visitor status, and most male applicants must have registered with Selective Service.

When Applying for Certain Types of Public Assistance

Public assistance programs, such as unemployment benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) , are usually managed by federal or state government agencies that use Social Security numbers to identify people and make sure they aren’t claiming benefits that they aren’t entitled to.

When Enrolling in Medicare

The Social Security Administration works with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to enroll people in Medicare.  

When Applying for a Passport

Federal law requires you to provide a Social Security number if you have one when you apply for a U.S. passport. If you don’t have an SSN, you must provide a sworn statement that you were never issued one.

On Your Tax Return

The IRS uses this number to match the income you report on your tax return to the income that your employer and financial institutions report having paid to you. Also, you’ll need to provide your child’s SSN to claim your child as a dependent on your tax return.

To Get a Driver’s License

If you have an SSN, many states require you to provide it when you apply for a driver’s license.  

Noncitizens who don’t have Social Security numbers are exempt from providing a Social Security number in many situations that normally require it, including getting a driver’s license, registering for school, getting private health insurance, or applying for public assistance like subsidized housing. The government doesn’t like to give Social Security numbers to noncitizens who aren’t authorized to work in the U.S. It says that even banks and credit companies usually can’t require you to provide a Social Security number if you don’t have one.

However, without this number, financial institutions won’t be able to run a credit check on you. This could make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a credit card or loan.

When to Avoid Using Your Social Security Number

Federal law basically lets anyone ask for your Social Security number, but that doesn’t mean you need to give it out. You should use your Social Security number as infrequently as possible. Just because someone asks for it doesn’t mean they truly need it.

For example, though most medical providers will ask for your SSN, you can leave the line asking for it blank when filling out medical paperwork, and often, no one will question it. Your doctor’s office and other businesses can use other information to identify you and keep track of your records. That said, while you can refuse to provide your SSN, the other party can also refuse to do business with you.

You also shouldn’t carry your Social Security card around with you unless you will be using it for a specific purpose that day, such as when you’re filling out paperwork to start a new job, and you have to show it to your employer as proof of citizenship (though if you can show a valid passport, you don’t need to provide your Social Security card).

You don’t want to risk losing your card or having it stolen since thieves can use this number, in combination with your other personal data, to apply for credit, take out loans, get a job, or even get healthcare in your name, creating a potentially massive identity theft problem for you to clean up.

Instead, keep the card in a secure place at home or in a safe deposit box at the bank. If your card is lost or stolen, you’ll want to apply for a new one.

Similarly, you should keep any documents that contain your SSN, such as your tax returns, in a secure place. If someone were to break into your house, it would be better for you if they could only make off with your stuff and not your identity. You also need to carefully safeguard your electronic documents that contain your Social Security number. If you have an unencrypted PDF of your tax return on your laptop, you’re effectively carrying your Social Security card every time you take your computer with you on a trip or to a coffee shop.

Do I have to provide my Social Security number (SSN) if asked?

There are some situations where you must provide your Social Security number (SSN)—mainly when a government agency requests it for identification. However, private companies may request your SSN, but you are not required to provide it.

Can I change my Social Security number?

Your SSN typically stays with you for life. However, if you are a victim of identity theft, you may be issued a new SSN to protect your future privacy.

When are Social Security numbers issued?

If you are born in the United States, your SSN will be assigned shortly after your birth. If you are a noncitizen, your SSN can be issued after becoming a permanent resident.

When the U.S. government introduced the Social Security program with its numbers in 1936, it was never meant to be so widely used to identify and track individuals. Today, this number is used for everything from its original purpose—to track your lifetime earnings and calculate your Social Security benefits—to opening a checking account or filling out a new-patient form at the doctor’s office.

Many businesses will ask for your Social Security number simply because it’s a convenient way for them to identify customers. Unfortunately, criminals can use your Social Security number to commit identity theft, so you should guard your SSN carefully and only give it out when absolutely necessary.

Internal Revenue Service. “ Publication 915 (2022): Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits ,” Page 2.

E-Verify. “ What Is E-Verify ?”

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. “ Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, and Office of Foreign Assets Control ,” Page 10.

Social Security Administration. “ The Story of the Social Security Number .”

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “ Policy Guidance Regarding Inquiries into Citizenship, Immigration Status and Social Security Numbers in State Applications for Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Food Stamp Benefits .”

Social Security Administration. “ Plan for Medicare .”

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. “ Frequently Asked Questions ,” select “3. Social Security Number Requirement.”

Internal Revenue Service. “ Dependents 9 .”

State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. “ Social Security Number .”

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. “ How to Apply for a ‘Standard’ License without a Social Security Number or Ineligibility Letter .”

Social Security Administration. “ Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens ,” Page 1.

Social Security Administration. “ Social Security Numbers for U.S. Permanent Residents .”

how are social security number assigned

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Social Security Number (SSN)

What is a social security number (ssn).

A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique ID assigned by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to US citizens and other residents. Linked to a person’s SSA account, an SSN is used to help accurately identify and record Social Security wages (employee and/or self-employment earnings) and determine benefits eligibility.

How Are Social Security Numbers Assigned?

Today’s SSNs are randomly assigned, but older numbers follow a different system. Until 2011 when SSN randomization went into effect, portions of the number held a particular significance. Randomly issuing SSNs helps better protect the security of a person’s identity and allows the SSA to extend the lifespan of the current system.

Social Security Number Formula

A Social Security number consists of nine digits, which are divided by a hyphen into three parts (e.g. XXX-XX-XXXX). Here’s a breakdown of the SSN formula as it was originally designed:

  • Area number: These first three digits indicated each state’s or territory’s area number (with several exceptions).
  • Group number: The middle two digits were used to indicate the groups of numbers assigned to a state’s post offices.
  • Serial number: The last four digits represent a numerical series within each group.

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Who Can Legally Ask for a Social Security Number?

Government agencies and private businesses may ask for your Social Security number in several scenarios. However, you can inquire as to how it will be used and whether it’s required by law or voluntary to submit your SSN. In some cases, you may be allowed to provide alternate forms of identification, such as a passport, driver’s license, or Employer Identification Number (EIN) .

Government Agencies

An SSN serves as a key identifier for federal, state, and local government agencies. For instance, the following entities possess the legal right to ask for your SSN:

  • Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs)
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • Welfare offices

Private Businesses

Businesses can also ask for an SSN. You may be denied service, but you’re not legally required to give your Social Security number to a private business. It’s often necessary if you’re making a transaction that requires IRS notification or is subject to federal Customer Identification Program (CIP) rules . Such businesses include:

  • Insurance companies
  • Any company requiring a credit application
  • Banks, investment companies, and other financial institutions

While it isn’t illegal for an employer to ask for an SSN on a job application, candidates aren’t legally required to provide it. However, your employer will eventually need an SSN for Social Security deductions and reports.

Why Do Employers Need Social Security Numbers?

The main reason employers need Social Security numbers is to meet IRS requirements. However, they may ask for this identifier earlier in the hiring process for other reasons.

Here are four examples of why an employer may need your SSN:

  • To verify your status as a US citizen or a person who is authorized to work in the US
  • To ensure you are who you say you are and not someone committing identity theft
  • To run a background check for a position that requires one (e.g. in education)
  • To deduct Social Security payments from wages and report Social Security retirement benefits to the IRS

If an employer chooses to ask for SSNs as part of a job application or another reason, they should work with their legal team to create a disclosure that clearly explains:

  • Why an SSN is requested
  • How an SSN will be used
  • What will be done to protect SSNs
  • What the consequences are for declining to provide an SSN

From an employee’s or job candidate’s perspective, one reason for not providing their SSN is to protect sensitive information from being misused. Nevertheless, the employer is responsible for keeping collected Social Security numbers protected, as this information is highly sensitive. Systems and processes must be put in place to safeguard this information.

What Is Social Security Number Verification?

Social Security number verification is an application employers can access through the Social Security Number Verification System (SSNVS) . It helps businesses confirm employee wages are accurately reported and credited under the correct name and SSN, ensuring the employee’s future eligibility for Social Security benefits.

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how are social security number assigned

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How We Got Social Security Numbers

By: Becky Little

Updated: April 23, 2019 | Original: October 4, 2017

Federal employees working on Social Security records, c. 1935.

Social Security numbers serve as sort of a national ID for American citizens, but it wasn’t always that way. When economist Edwin Witte helped develop the Social Security Act of 1935, the numbers were solely a way to keep track of the new retirement payment system.

Witte and his colleagues “knew they needed an ID number, not just a name,” says John Witte —who, in addition to being a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is Edwin’s grandson. That way even if people had the same name or birthday as others, their payments could be tracked with an individual number.

Even so, the assignment of Social Security numbers, or SSNs, was controversial. The U.S. government had never distributed individual numbers like this before, and some “were very frightened of giving the government the ability to have a number to track people,” Witte says.

Despite some Republicans’ contention that it was government overreach, the Social Security Act passed in the Democrat-led Congress in August 1935; and “the first SSN was issued sometime in mid-November 1936,” says Dorothy J. Clark, a Social Security spokesperson.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act on 14th August 1935. From left to right, Robert Lee Doughton, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Edwin E. Witte, Director of the President's Social Security Committee, with Senator Robert F. Wagner, co-author of the bill behind him, Senator Robert La Follette, Senator Augustine Lonergan, Labor Secretary Frances Perkins, Senator William H. King, Rep. David John Lewis, co-author of the bill and Senator Joseph F. Guffey.

At first, Social Security was only meant for certain workers. Domestic workers, agricultural workers, and small business employees were ineligible, and federal employees weren’t part of the program because they already had government pensions for retirement. The program mainly targeted large, private companies, requiring them to offer Social Security to their employees.

Over the next few years, the government created millions of them. While the Social Security Board was still setting up offices around the country, the Post Office played a huge administrative role by distributing and collecting applications and generating Social Security numbers.

“We don’t think about this much today, but it was an enormous administrative undertaking,” Witte says. “Creating a social security system, writing the act, and getting the money was only part of it. The biggest, difficult thing was implementing that program.”

Clerks working in the U.S. Census Bureau office at St. Louis, cataloguing the names of the 75,994,575 Americans listed in the 1900 census, which was used to determine the Social Security rolls.

Subsequent legislation over the next few decades expanded the eligible Social Security pool until it included all American citizens—including children. When the U.S. first passed the act, only adults could sign up for Social Security. But by 1989, when the Enumeration at Birth program made it easier for parents to apply for babies’ SSNs as soon as they’re born, that had all changed. Today, Witte notes that you have to provide your children’s SSN in order to claim them as a dependent on your taxes.

In fact, the number’s ubiquity is part of why Witte says the U.S. probably won’t stop using SSNs as a national form of ID. There are so many things modern Americans need their SSN to apply for—driver’s licenses, homes, college admissions and more—that the government would have to come up with a different kind of ID that could be substituted in its place.

“It would be an enormous task to replace it with something else,” Witte says, of a White House proposal to do stop using SSNs as a form of national ID in the wake of the massive Equifax data breach that exposed 145 million people’s personal information between May and July 2017. And even if it did happen, he muses, “What would that do?” If hackers could get access to SSNs, why couldn’t they gain access to another form of ID?

Likely, the system that necessitates we all memorize our own nine-digit number will continue for a long time.

READ MORE: Where Social Security Came From

how are social security number assigned

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5 Ways to Find Your Social Security Number

Whitney Vandiver

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Table of Contents

How to find your Social Security number

How to find your child’s social security number.

You can find your Social Security number by checking your card, asking your guardian if they know it, checking certain documentation, talking with a former employer or requesting a new Social Security card.

Your Social Security number (SSN) is a key piece of your identity in the United States. But with only a small card to remind you of the number, it’s easy to find yourself in a situation where you’ve forgotten your SSN. If you’re struggling to remember your or your child's nine-digit number, here are five ways to find it.

» MORE: See our list of phone numbers to the Social Security Administration

how are social security number assigned

1. Look at your card

Checking your Social Security card is the fastest way to find your SSN. All Social Security cards have the person’s name and Social Security number printed on the front, even if the person is not allowed to work in the United States. If you were assigned an SSN, you were issued a physical card when the number was assigned to you. Just because you don’t have the card doesn’t mean you weren’t assigned an SSN.

2. Talk to someone who might know your SSN

If you think someone else might know your Social Security number, give them a call. It’s often a parent or legal guardian who requests the initial issuance of a child’s SSN — and it’s common for that adult to supply the child’s SSN on forms as the child grows up. For this reason, a parent or guardian might have their child’s SSN memorized and be able to provide it if asked.

3. Check tax and financial documents

Your Social Security number often appears on tax documents and financial statements. Check tax forms such as your old W-2s , 1099s , or tax returns to see if your SSN is on one of them. If you don’t have access to your tax forms, look at other financial documents you have available. Some bank statements or summaries from investment accounts may include your SSN at the top.

» MORE: How to change the name on your Social Security card

4. Contact a former employer

The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires all employers to verify employees’ SSNs [0] IRS.gov . Hiring Employees . Accessed Aug 23, 2023. View all sources . This ensures that an employee’s wages are correctly reported for tax purposes and that any Social Security payroll tax contributions go to the right person’s record [0] SSA.gov . SSNVS Overview . Accessed Aug 23, 2023. View all sources . If you’ve forgotten your Social Security number, you can contact a former employer to see if they can provide you with it. The employer is unlikely to give you the information over the phone without verification of identity, so be prepared to visit the employer in person and talk to HR.

5. Request a new Social Security card

If you’ve exhausted all of your resources and still can’t figure out what your SSN is, you can request a replacement Social Security card . The replacement card is free, and if you just need a replacement without updating any information, you can probably request the new card online [0] SSA.gov . Replace Social Security Card . Accessed Aug 23, 2023. View all sources . You’ll have to provide a state-issued ID, and you might need to take additional documentation to a local Social Security Administration office to prove your identity.

The Social Security Administration limits how many replacement cards you can request. You can only request three replacements a year and 10 over your lifetime. So it’s a good idea to keep your Social Security card in a safe place where it’s unlikely to be stolen and is protected from potential dangers such as flooding or fire.

1. Look at your child's Social Security card

Just like with your card, your child’s card will have their name and Social Security number printed on the front. This is the fastest way to verify your child's SSN.

2. Call their school or doctor's office

Some providers and organizations request your child’s SSN to confirm their identity. If you’ve provided this information previously, ask if you can get that information from them. You will likely have to provide proof of your identity as the child’s guardian to get the information.

You are not required to give your or your child’s Social Security number to doctor’s offices, except at VA hospitals. However, medical facilities can refuse to provide you with service if you do not give them the information. And your insurance provider might require your SSN to process a claim.

3. Request a new Social Security card for your child

You can request a new card for your child. To do so, you will need to fill out Form SS-5 and provide documentation of [0] SSA.gov . Frequently Asked Questions . Accessed Aug 23, 2023. View all sources :

Your identity.

Your relationship to your child or custody of the child.

Your child’s identity.

Your child’s U.S. citizenship status if it hasn’t been established with the SSA previously.

You can fill out the form online and go to a local SSA office to provide the necessary documentation.

» MORE: Can you change your Social Security number?

No, there is no way to search for your Social Security number online. You’ll need to search through your personal records to find your SSN or request a new Social Security card.

Your Social Security number might be on some of your tax records or financial documents. You might also be able to get it from a family member who knows it, or you might ask a former employer that maintained records of your employment.

No, the Social Security Administration won’t provide that information to you over the phone.

On a similar note...

how are social security number assigned

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how are social security number assigned

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Social Security Number by State 2024

The Social Security Administration issues citizens and permanent residents of the United States a Social Security number. Your Social Security number – or SSN, for short – is a nine-digit unique identifier that is used for several purposes. The most common way this number is used is to track citizens and residents for Social Security purposes. However, your Social Security number can also be used for taxation , applying for credit, and other purposes.

As mentioned, the SSN consists of nine numbers. These numbers are broken into three parts. The first three numbers are the area number. Until 2011, this number corresponded with the state or territory in which the number was assigned. However, after 2011, numbers were assigned at random. The next set of numbers consists of two digits. This set is known as group numbers and does not relate to geographical location. Finally, the last set of numbers consists of four digits. This is a number that goes in order from 0001 to 9999.

Any Social Security number issued before 2011 can be evaluated to determine where the number was issued. To learn where a Social Security number was issued, look at the area number – the first three digits. Then, match these numbers with the following. Note that some states may appear on this list more than once.

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  • Social Security Number Allocations - Social Security

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Trying to Decide When to Claim Social Security? This Number Could Help You Decide.

R etirement is often a time of celebration, but there is no shortage of decisions recent retirees have to make. One of the most important is when they will claim Social Security since these benefits account for a significant portion of income for millions of Americans in retirement.

Unfortunately, the decision isn't straightforward because varying personal situations require different approaches and considerations. However, one key number can help you decide when claiming makes sense for you: your break-even age.

Your decision should begin with your full retirement age

Your full retirement age (FRA) is noteworthy because it's when you're eligible to receive your base Social Security benefit (also called the primary insurance amount , or PIA). The Social Security Administration uses your PIA to calculate any adjustments to your monthly benefit based on when you claim relative to your FRA.

So while you can claim benefits as early as 62, your monthly benefit will shrink based on how many months away your FRA is. If you're within 36 months of your FRA, benefits are reduced by 5/9 of 1%; any additional month reduces them by 5/12 of 1%. For instance, someone whose full retirement age is 67 would have their monthly benefit reduced by 20% if they claim at 64 and 30% at 62.

Conversely, you can delay benefits past your FRA, increasing them by two-thirds of 1% each month, or 8% annually, until you reach 70.

Be sure to look beyond just the monthly benefit

The prospect of receiving Social Security benefits as early as possible or maxing out your monthly benefit may be enticing, but those factors alone shouldn't be what drives your decision on when to claim. Instead, it's helpful to take a big picture view of the total amount of Social Security you'll receive in retirement, also known as your lifetime or cumulative benefits. This is where your break-even age can help put things in perspective.

Your break-even age is when the total amount of benefits received from claiming at one age equals that of another age. To illustrate, let's use someone whose FRA is 67 with a PIA of $1,900 (just below the monthly average for retired workers in Jan. 2024). In this case, delaying benefits until 70 would increase their monthly check 24%, bringing it to $2,356.

Here's how much this person would collect in cumulative benefits by different ages:

Calculations by author.

In this scenario, the person's break-even age is 82 1/2. Before then, the total amount received from claiming benefits at 67 is greater than the total amount received from delaying until 70, even with the extra $456 in each month's check. After age 82 1/2, it flips, and delaying benefits until 70 yields higher lifetime benefits.

Your break-even age should be one piece of the puzzle

Your should factor in your break-even age when claiming Social Security, but it shouldn't be the sole basis for your decision. You must also assess your financial situation, personal and family health history, and retirement goals.

If you can't cover your expenses without Social Security, claiming as soon as possible may be the only viable option, regardless of your break-even age. If you have a retirement nest egg and Social Security will just be supplemental income, delaying to receive a higher monthly payout could be worth it. Similarly, claiming earlier may be the best route to maximize lifetime benefits if you have major health concerns.

Everyone's situation is different, so the factors used in your decision-making process (and the weight they're given) will vary. What's most important is that you do take into account these relevant details, including your break-even age.

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Trying to Decide When to Claim Social Security? This Number Could Help You Decide.

Social Security

Social security numbers, the ssn numbering scheme.

Number Has Three Parts

The nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts:

Area Number

The Area Number is assigned by the geographical region. Prior to 1972, cards were issued in local Social Security offices around the country and the Area Number represented the State in which the card was issued. This did not necessarily have to be the State where the applicant lived, since a person could apply for their card in any Social Security office. Since 1972, when SSA began assigning SSNs and issuing cards centrally from Baltimore, the area number assigned has been based on the ZIP code in the mailing address provided on the application for the original Social Security card. The applicant's mailing address does not have to be the same as their place of residence. Thus, the Area Number does not necessarily represent the State of residence of the applicant, either prior to 1972 or since.

Generally, numbers were assigned beginning in the northeast and moving westward. So people on the east coast have the lowest numbers and those on the west coast have the highest numbers.

Note: One should not make too much of the "geographical code." It is not meant to be any kind of useable geographical information. The numbering scheme was designed in 1936 (before computers) to make it easier for SSA to store the applications in our files in Baltimore since the files were organized by regions as well as alphabetically. It was really just a bookkeeping device for our own internal use and was never intended to be anything more than that.

  Group Number Within each area, the group number (middle two (2) digits) range from 01 to 99 but are 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.

See the latest Social Security Number Monthly Issuance Table for the latest SSN area ranges issued to date . Alleged Social Security numbers containing area numbers other than those found on that table are impossible.

Serial Number

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

Historical Links

  • History Home Page

IMAGES

  1. Social Security Number: List of SSNs assigned to each state

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  2. How to Decode SSNs

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  3. How Are Social Security Numbers Assigned? All About the 9-Digit Number

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  4. CVE-2021-32077

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  5. Is Social Security Number Continuous or Discrete

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  6. What do the numbers mean?

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COMMENTS

  1. How Are Social Security Numbers Assigned?

    Social Security numbers, also known as SSNs, are allocated through a process called randomization that was introduced in June 2011. This system retains the long-standing nine-digit format but assigns a number to each new Social Security cardholder randomly, eliminating methods that date to the inception of Social Security in the mid-1930s.

  2. Social Security Numbers (SSNs) How they are assigned by State

    38 57625 An overview of 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).

  3. How are Social Security numbers assigned?

    We assign Social Security numbers randomly. We changed to a random process in 2011 to help protect the integrity of the Social Security number. We changed to a random process in 2011 to help protect the integrity of the Social Security number.

  4. Social Security number

    In the United States, a Social Security number ( SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents under section 205 (c) (2) of the Social Security Act, codified as 42 U.S.C. § 405 (c) (2).

  5. The Story of the Social Security Number

    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.

  6. What Is an SSN? Facts to Know About Social Security Numbers

    A Social Security number is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and other residents to track income and determine benefits. The SSN was created in 1936 as part of The New Deal....

  7. Social Security Number Randomization Frequently Asked Questions

    Only under the following circumstances can we assign a different number: Sequential numbers assigned to members of the same family are causing problems; ... (See Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number, Publication No. 05-10064.) or; Situations of harassment, abuse or life endangerment (including domestic violence). ...

  8. How Are Social Security Numbers Assigned? All About the 9-Digit Number

    SSNs are assigned through a process called randomization, which was introduced in June 2011. The method did away with the methods that were used to assign numbers since the mid-1930s. On July 3 ...

  9. PDF Meaning of the Social Security Number

    The Social Security number was developed for this pur- pose. The Social Security number (SSN) consists of nine digits divided into three parts, with each part usually ... t Area number(s) assigned for future use. Arizona is expected to start using the new series in 1982, California 1988, Mississippi 2002, and Puerto Rico in 1983. ...

  10. Your Guide to What Social Security Numbers Mean

    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.

  11. Social Security Number (SSN)

    The unique nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts: The first three digits are the area number. The 3-digit area number is assigned by geographic region. The next two digits are the group number, which ranges from 01 to 99 (00 is not used). The final four digits are the serial number.

  12. The Purpose of Having a Social Security Number

    A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. In addition to Social Security, the SSN is now also ...

  13. Social Security Number (SSN)

    A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique ID assigned by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to US citizens and other residents. Linked to a person's SSA account, an SSN is used to help accurately identify and record Social Security wages (employee and/or self-employment earnings) and determine benefits eligibility.

  14. How We Got Social Security Numbers

    There are so many things modern Americans need their SSN to apply for—driver's licenses, homes, college admissions and more—that the government would have to come up with a different kind of ID...

  15. Social Security Number Randomization

    The SSA began assigning the nine-digit SSN in 1936 for the purpose of tracking workers' earnings over the course of their lifetimes to pay benefits. Since its inception, the SSN has always been comprised of the three-digit area number, followed by the two-digit group number, and ending with the four-digit serial number.

  16. 5 Ways to Find Your Social Security Number

    1. Look at your card Checking your Social Security card is the fastest way to find your SSN. All Social Security cards have the person's name and Social Security number printed on the...

  17. Social Security Number (SSN) Prefix

    Social Security numbers are made up of 3 sets of numbers. The first set, as described above, is 3 numbers, called the Area Number, and denotes the state the social security card was issued. For the majority of people, this will be the state you were born in. Following the Area Number, the next two digits form the Group Number.

  18. Structure of Social Security Numbers

    The group numbers for each area number are assigned in the following order: 1. Odd numbers, 01 to 09 2. Even numbers, 10 to 98 3. Even numbers, 02 to 08 4. Odd numbers, 11 to 99 A group code of "00" is invalid. SSA publishes a list every month of the highest group assigned for each SSN Area. For example, if the highest group assigned for area ...

  19. THIS is how Social Security Numbers are assigned [2024]

    A Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit identifier issued by the U.S. government to citizens and residents. SSNs help track income and determine benefits, being required for various purposes like employment, banking, and credit applications. Initially created for retirement and disability benefits, SSNs are now assigned randomly to ...

  20. SSA Handbook § 1401

    1401. Social Security Numbers 1401.1 When is a Social Security Number assigned? A Social Security Number (SSN) is assigned after we receive and process your completed application (Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card ). 1401.2 What information do you submit with the application?

  21. Social Security Number by State 2024

    Your Social Security number - or SSN, for short - is a nine-digit unique identifier that is used for several purposes. The most common way this number is used is to track citizens and residents for Social Security purposes. However, your Social Security number can also be used for taxation, applying for credit, and other purposes.

  22. What Is a Taxpayer Identification Number?

    Social Security Number. For individuals, the most commonly used TIN is an SSN. The Social Security Administration issues SSNs to individuals, ...

  23. Social Security History

    Issued Through Local Post Offices Since the Social Security Board did not have a network of field offices in late 1936, it contracted with the U.S. Postal Service to distribute and assign the first batch of Social Security numbers through its 45,000 local post offices around the country.

  24. Trying to Decide When to Claim Social Security? This Number Could Help

    Calculations by author. In this scenario, the person's break-even age is 82 1/2. Before then, the total amount received from claiming benefits at 67 is greater than the total amount received from ...

  25. Social Security History

    The nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts: The first set of three digits is called the Area Number The second set of two digits is called the Group Number The final set of four digits is the Serial Number Area Number The Area Number is assigned by the geographical region.