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For the
official version and details of American Social Security system,
please visit: http://www.ssa.gov/
and Social
Security Office Locator
The US
federal government has mandated that all legal residents and
citizens must have a valid social security card. The card,
with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) is used by the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) to track of an individual's yearly wages
and taxes owed and employers are required to note this number
on the payroll system. A valid social security card may be
required for other financial transactions including while
opening bank accounts, applying for loans. Some interesting
facts include:
Significance
of SSN Digit Pattern
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The
digits in the Social Security Number allow for the orderly
assignment of numbers.
The number is divided into three parts:
The
area, group and serial numbers.
Format:
XXX-XX-XXXX
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The first
three digits (area) of a person's social security number are
determined by the ZIP Code (after some mathematics on it)
of the mailing address shown on the application for a social
security number. Illinois State issued cards will have a number
between 318 to 361. Pennsylvania issued cards will have a
number between 159 and 211. Maryland 212 to 220 and so on.
Within
each area, the group number (middle two digits) range from
01 to 99 but are not assigned in consecutive order. For administrative
reasons, group numbers issued first consist of the ODD numbers
from 01 through 09 and then EVEN numbers from 10 through 98,
within each area number allocated to a State. After all numbers
in-group 98 of a particular area have been issued, the EVEN
Groups 02 through 08 are used, followed by ODD Groups 11 through
99.
Within
each group, the serial numbers (last four digits) run consecutively
from 0001 through 9999.
The
Social Security Card should not be laminated; but why?
It should
not be laminated because the Social Security card incorporates
several security features:
- The
card contains a blue tint marbleized random pattern. Any
attempt to erase or remove data is easily detectable because
the tint is erasable.
- Small
multi-colored discs are randomly placed on the paper stock
and can be seen with the naked eye.
- Intaglio
printing of the type used in US currency is used for some
printing on the card and provides a raised effect that can
be felt.
A laminated
card hampers the ability of the government to utilize these
security features. Government will replace your card FREE
if in case you lose it.
Social
Security 101
Social
Security is much more than a retirement program. It is a family
income protection program that reflects the commitment of
the country to the economic security of workers, retirees
and their families.
Social
Security protects workers and their families during their
working lives and through their retirement. It's the primary
source of retirement income for most Americans.
Six out
of ten (60 percent) of today's beneficiaries derive more than
half of their income from Social Security. In most low-income
households of retirement age, Social Security represents 80%
or more of their retirement income.
Other
Factoids about Social Security:
- Social
Security Hot Topics
- Social
Security system in India
- Baby's
First Number - A Social Security Number
- Social
Security: Almost everyone working in the US pays a part
of his/her salary towards a social security fund set up
and managed by the Social Security Administration (a wing
of the Federal government). The percentage of salary deduction
varies, but is generally between six to eight percent. Employers
are also required to contribute an equal amount towards
social security. The federal government pools this amount
collected from individuals (and companies) and holds it
in a large fund. People generally become eligible to receive
social security benefits when they turn 59, or in some cases,
if they lose the ability to earn a living or become disabled.
Even foreigners are required to contribute to the social
security fund and are eligible to get the benefits. The
only catch is that a person becomes eligible to get social
security benefits only if they contribute into the system
for at least ten years. Many Indians working in the US on
H1 visa’s are only eligible to live and work for six years
after which they must return back and will not be eligible
to receive the social security benefits. - Abstract
of Mohan's chapter from e-book
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