Social Security

By Kemp Baratier

May 21, 2008 07:26 am

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Question: Please help my wife and me settle a bet. She says Social Security numbers are based on where the card was issued. I say they're issued consecutively. Who's right?

Answer: You both are, sort of. It's a little more complicated than that. The nine-digit Social Security number is divided into three parts:

Area. This is the first three digits in a Social Security number. If your Social Security number was assigned before 1972, when Social Security cards were issued by local offices, the area number reflects the state where you applied for your number. If your number was assigned in 1972 or later, when we began issuing Social Security cards centrally, the first three digits reflect the state as determined by the ZIP code in the mailing address on your application for the number.

Group. Within each area, the group number (middle two digits) range from 01 to 99, but are not assigned in consecutive order.

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

To learn more about Social Security or to find out how to apply for a Social Security card or number, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at (800) 772-1213.

Q: My wallet was stolen with my Social Security card in it. How do I report my card stolen?

A: We urge you never to carry your card with you. In most cases, the only time you will need to produce your card is when you apply for employment. Always keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. You can apply for a replacement Social Security card if your card is stolen. You may also want to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/

idtheft or (800) 877-IDTHEFT (TTY (866) 653-4261). And you may want to monitor your credit report at annualcreditreport.com. For more information about identity theft, visit our online fact sheet at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html or call us at (800) 772-1213.

Q: Someone told me that Social Security has tools to help with financial planning. Does it?

A: Yes. Social Security understands the need for all workers to do a better job of planning for their retirement. To help workers do this, Social Security created some very useful financial planning tools.

About two to three months before your birthday, we will send you a Social Security statement, as long as you are a worker who is 25 or older and not already receiving benefits. The statement lists your earnings and the amounts of Social Security taxes you have paid over the years. It also gives estimates of the Social Security benefits you (and dependent family members) may be eligible to receive now and in the future. The statement is intended to help workers plan for their financial future.

Another useful tool is Social Security's online retirement planner. It will let you compute estimates of your future Social Security retirement benefits. It also provides important information on factors affecting retirement benefits, such as military service, household earnings and federal employment. You can access our retirement planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2. For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at (800) 772-1213 (TTY (800) 325-0778).

Kemp Baratier is district manager for the Social Security Administration in Oneonta.