What Does Your Social Security Number Say About You
How Are Social Security Numbers Assigned?
The purpose of this article is to help you understand how Social Security Numbers are assigned. In 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) changed the way they assign Social Security Numbers (SSNs). The new method uses a process called "randomization" to assign SSNs.
The Administration developed a new method to help protect the integrity of the SSN and to extend the longevity of the nine-digit SSN (instead of adding additional digits).
SSN Randomization changes the assignment process in a number of ways. First, it eliminates the geographical importance of the first three digits. Also, the new randomization process eliminates the significance of the highest group number.
As a result, the High Group List is frozen in time and can only be used to see the area and group numbers SSA issued prior to the randomization implementation date.
Overview of Social Security Numbers
In the United States, a Social Security number is a number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and people that are temporarily working in the country. The number is issued to an individual by the SSA, an agency of the federal government.
Its primary purpose is tracking working individuals for taxation purposes and to track Social Security benefits. Since it was initially introduced, the SSN has become the primary national identification number, even though it was not originally intended to be used as a form of identification.
History
Since 1972, numbers have been issued by the central office. The first three (3) digits of a person's social security number are determined by the ZIP Code of the mailing address shown on the application for a social security number.
Previously, prior to 1972, social security numbers were assigned by SSA field offices. The number merely established that his/her card was issued by one of the SSA offices in that State.
Randomization
In 2011, the SSA changed the assignment process to a process known as SSN randomization. This process eliminates the geographical significance of the first three digits of the number. Below is an explanation of how the numbers were assigned under the old system that was in effect prior to 2011.
Social Security Number – Area Group Serial
The Social Security number consists of nine (9) digits, usually written in the format – 1 2 3 – 4 5 – 6 7 8 9. The first three digits of a social security number denote the area (or State) where the application for an original Social Security number was filed.
Within each area, the group number (middle two (2) 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 (4) digits) run consecutively from 0001 through 9999.
This chart below shows how Group numbers are assigned:
- ODD – 01, 03, 05, 07, 09——EVEN – 10 to 98<
- EVEN – 02, 04, 06, 08——ODD – 11 to 99
List of Social Security Number Prefixes for Each State
Follow is a list of social security number prefixes for each state. The listing is organized in ascending order based on the SSN prefix, with the corresponding issuing state listed. Remember, these apply only to numbers issued prior to 2011 under the old system.
SSN Prefix = Issuing State
001-003 = New Hampshire
004-007 = Maine
008-009 = Vermont
010-034 = Massachusetts
035-039 = Rhode Island
040-049 = Connecticut
050-134 = New York
135-158 = New Jersey
159-211 = Pennsylvania
212-220 = Maryland
211-222 = Delaware
223-231 = Virginia
232 = North Carolina
232 = West Virginia
233-236 = West Virginia
237-246 = North Carolina
247-251 = South Carolina
252-260 = Georgia
261-267 = Florida (Also 589-595)
268-302 = Ohio
303-317 = Indiana
318-361 = Illinois
362-386 = Michigan
387-399 = Wisconsin
400-407 = Kentucky
408-415 = Tennessee
416-424 = Alabama
425-428 = Mississippi
429-432 = Arkansas
433-439 = Louisiana
440-448 =Oklahoma
449-467 = Texas
468-477 = Minnesota
478 – 485 = Iowa
486 – 500 = Missouri
501 – 502 = North Dakota
503 – 504 = South Dakota
505 – 508 = Nebraska
509 – 515 = Kansas
516 – 517 = Montana
518 – 519 = Idaho
520 = Wyoming
521 – 524 = Colorado
525 = New Mexico
526 = Arizona
526 = New Mexico
527 = Arizona
528 – 529 = Utah
530 = Nevada
531 – 539 = Washington
540 – 544 = Oregon
545-573 = California
574 = Alaska
575-576 = Hawaii
577-579 = District of Columbia
580 = Virgin Islands
580-584 = Puerto Rico
585 = New Mexico
586 = Guam & American Samoa
586 = All Other Pacific Territories
587-588 = Mississippi
589-595 = Florida (also 261-267)
600-601 = Arizona (designated)
602-626 = California (designated)
700-728 = Railroad Retirement
729-999 = Currently not in use
Note: The number 666 has never been used and will not be used in the future.
Please post a comment below if you are aware of any new number ranges.
SSN Requirements
There is no law directly requiring a natural born United States citizen to apply for a Social Security numbet to live or work in the United States. However, some people still live without a number because they view it as a voluntary government program. Those who don't get a number find it difficult to engage in normal acts of commerce or banking activities because they can't provide an SSN.
Additional Resources
If you'd like to learn more about the process, visit the Social Security Administration website. At the website, you can:
- Get more information on how numbers are assigned and the randomization process
- Find out where the offices are located near you and get directions using the office locator. Just enter your zip code.
- Learn how to get cards and how to request replacement cards
Questions and Comments
If you have any questions, please post a comment below.
What Does Your Social Security Number Say About You
Source: https://www.einvestigator.com/social-security-numbers-ssn/
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