Five Fun Facts About Social Security Numbers

In celebration of Social Security’s 90^th anniversary, today we will look at Social Security numbers. They are 9-digit numbers unique to each individual and used to track earnings for Social Security benefits, report wages to the government, and for other identification purposes. Social Security numbers are issued to all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. 

Everyone has one, but how much do you really know about them? Here are five fun facts about Social Security numbers compiled by The Motley Fool:

1. The lowest Social Security number is 001-01-0001. It was issued to Grace D. Owen of Concord, New Hampshire.
2. More than 40,000 people have claimed the same Social Security number. In 1938, a wallet manufacturing company used a secretary’s real Social Security card to show the wallets’ utility. It was for sale at department stores across the country. The Social Security Administration (SSA) had to fix more than 40,000 incorrect earnings reports tied to that number.
3. Social Security numbers are now issued randomly. Originally, the digits were assigned based on three factors. According to the article, the first three numbers reflect the zip code of the Social Security office that issued it, the next two numbers are your “group number” and were assigned in the order in which applicants applied for a number in a particular area, and the last four numbers are the “serial number.” After 2011, the SSA began using computers to generate random numbers to reduce the risk of hackers stealing people’s identities.
4. Social Security numbers are not reused. When you die, your number is retired, never to be issued again. The SSA assures there are plenty of numbers to last for generations to come.  
5. You can change your Social Security number if you don’t like the digits you were assigned. You can’t change your Social Security number on a whim, but if you can prove that you have religious or cultural issues with certain numbers, you can request a new number. You will have to provide documentation from your religious group.

 The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the financial well-being of older Americans through the passage of the Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $200 a month, a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increased minimum benefits, and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.