Ssn how many numbers

This triggered a concern for the future of the elderly. In , President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Although the Act was passed during the Great Depression, it was designed to ensure the future economic security of individuals and did not address the immediate economic problems of the Great Depression.

Social Security's primary original purpose was to provide financial benefits to people over age Upon retirement, people who were no longer working would receive monthly retirement benefits or Social Security income. Benefit amounts would be based on a person's earnings in covered employments. The Social Security Act required a payroll tax for both employees and employers based on earnings. This was later renamed the Social Security Administration. The earnings of each individual had to be tracked beginning in It was obvious that using a person's name wouldn't work.

Can you imagine the difficulty in keeping accurate earnings records for those with common names such as John Smith or Jane Jones? Several tracking plans were considered, such as using a combination of letters and numbers or using fingerprints. The chosen solution was to use a 9-digit number divided into three parts: area number, group number, and serial number. The first three digits, the area number, represented the state in which the SSN was issued. However, there were exceptions.

For example, a worker could apply in person for an SSN in any Social Security office, and the area number would reflect that office's location, regardless of the worker's residence. The last four digits, the serial number, represented the order within each group. But issuing SSNs was a work in progress. While the details of the Social Security Act were being worked out, the U. Postal Service accepted the responsibility of issuing SSNs.

At this time, there were approximately 45, post offices across the nation. From these, 1, post offices were called on to be "typing centers" to issue Social Security cards and SSNs. In November , the first SSNs were issued by these typing centers and thousands of people were given their 9-digit number.

The post office did not keep the records. By mid, Social Security field offices were able to take over. With this change, the area number was assigned based on the ZIP code of the mailing address provided on the application.

This "randomization" shares the pool of available SSNs nationwide. Randomization extends the quantity of SSNs available for the future. For example, a state with an increasing population will need more SSNs in the future. A state with a decreasing population won't need all that it was allotted. By sharing the available SSNs nationwide, the pool of numbers will last longer.

The use of SSNs has increased over the years. The trend began in when federal agencies were required to use SSNs for identifying individuals in any new record system.

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. For example, if the highest group assigned for area is 72, then we know that the number is an invalid number because even Groups under 9 have not yet been assigned.

Serial Numbers Serial numbers are assigned in chronological order as the applications are processed except that all and series serial numbers are special; see below.

Serial number "" is invalid. Composite SSN Assignment The composite numbers are assigned starting with serial number and running through all assigned area numbers for the first group code. Then serial number is used with all assigned area numbers for the first group code. Thus, the area numbers vary first ascending order within the assigned range of numbers , followed by the serial numbers in ascending order, except for and series; see below , followed by the group numbers according to the rules above.

Since the group number is non-repeating and assigned according to a fixed albeit weird rule set, it is an indicator of the age of the SSN. For example, Idaho is assigned area numbers The SSNs in Idaho, then, were assigned in the following order: , , , The and series serial numbers are special.

That said, while you can refuse to provide your SSN, the other party can also refuse to do business with you. Instead, keep the card in a secure place at home or in a safe deposit box at the bank.

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.

When the government introduced the Social Security program with its numbers in , 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.

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. Accessed Oct. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Social Security Administration.

Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs. State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. Social Security. Income Tax. Your Privacy Rights.

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