A Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents under section 205 of the Social Security Act. It is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and other residents to track income and determine benefits. The SSN consists of three parts: the area number, the group number, and the serial number. The area number is assigned based on the geographical region, and prior to 1972, it represented the state in which the card was issued. Since 1972, 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 group number has no special geographic or data significance, and it is used to break the numbers into blocks of convenient size for the Social Security Administrations processing operations and for controlling the assignments to the states. The serial number represents a numerical series from 0001 to 9999 within each group.
The SSN was created in 1936 as part of The New Deal, and it is issued by the Social Security Administration. To get a Social Security number, one must file Form SS-5 with the Social Security Administration. The SSN is a crucial identifier used for various purposes, including tracking income, determining benefits, and obtaining credit. However, it is also susceptible to illegal use by those involved in identity theft and fraud.
