A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique nine-digit number issued by the U.S. government to citizens, permanent residents, and eligible temporary residents. Its primary purpose is to track lifetime earnings and determine eligibility for federal benefits like retirement and disability, but it has become a “de facto” national identifier used for many other purposes.
Key Functions of an SSN
- Employment: Employers use it to report your wages to the government and verify your authorization to work.
- Taxation: It serves as a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for filing annual tax returns with the IRS.
- Benefits: The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses it to calculate and track your retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
- Identification: It is frequently required by banks to open accounts, by lenders to check credit history for loans, and by state agencies for driver’s licenses.
Types of SSN Cards
- Unrestricted: For U.S. citizens and permanent residents; allows work without restriction.
- Restricted (Work-Authorized): For those with temporary work authorization (e.g., H-1B or OPT students); marked “Valid for work only with DHS authorization”.
- Restricted (Non-Work): Issued for valid non-work reasons (e.g., to receive certain government benefits); marked “Not valid for employment”.