How To Decode a Social Security Number
Today we look at the structure of Social Security Numbers.
The Social Security number is a nine-digit number in the format “111-22-3333.” The number is divided into three parts.
- The first set of three digits (111) is called the “Area Number”
- The second set of two digits (22) is called the “Group Number”
- The final set of four digits (3333) is the “Serial Number”
AREA NUMBER
The Area Number is assigned by the geographical region. Prior to 1972, cards were issued in local Social Security offices around the country and the Area Number represented the State in which the card was issued.
This did not necessarily have to be the State where the applicant lived, since a person could apply for their card in any Social Security office.
Since 1972, when SSA began assigning SSNs and issuing cards centrally from Baltimore, 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 applicant’s mailing address does not have to be the same as their place of residence. Thus, the Area Number does not necessarily represent the State of residence of the applicant, either prior to 1972 or since.
Generally, numbers were assigned beginning in the northeast and moving westward. So people on the east coast have the lowest numbers and those on the west coast have the highest numbers.
Note: One should not make too much of the “geographical code.” It is not meant to be any kind of useable geographical information. The numbering scheme was designed in 1936 (before computers) to make it easier for SSA to store the applications in our files in Baltimore since the files were organized by regions as well as alphabetically.
GROUP NUMBER
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 are issued in the following order:
- ODD numbers from 01 through 09
- EVEN numbers from 10 through 98
- EVEN numbers from 02 through 08
- ODD numbers from 11 through 99
As an example, group number 94 will be issued before 15.
SERIAL NUMBER
Within each group, the serial numbers (last four (4) digits) run consecutively from 0001 through 9999.
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5 Responses to “How To Decode a Social Security Number”
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My wife and I lived about 3 miles apart in Texas when we got out SS cards, both prior to 1964. I understand that Texas had 18 geographical areas in those days but how can our respective “area” numbers be 12 digits apart?
Recently my son in law was turned down for his SSD. He is totally unable to work and at this present time he is hopitalized. Doctor’s think he has had a stroke. He will never work again. It is my belief the reason he was turned down is because he was not present for his telephonic hearing. He wasn’t present because he received a letter stating he did not need to be present. Between the time he saw the Judge and the telephonic hearing, his Doctor put him on medicine that has made him totally dependant on other people to help him do anything. Including take a bath. This latest medicine never came out in the telephonic hearing. There are people who get a disability check and spend it on drugs, this man just wants to survive. Where is the justice in your so called guide lines?
Sincerely,
Marie Taylor
waaaa waaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
u know what that is?? the world smallest violin playin…
lmao
j/k
but for real, that sucks about your son(in law). could it be he never got a card cuz he never put anything into ss?? i mean i got my ss card when i was born. but i dunno, the whole government is wack, you can never get anything done thru the govt. and now BHO (aka hussein obama) wants to socialize everything, even tho he’ll never admit it, but he does want to, trust me… who else wants bail out money**???? its free money! who wouldnt want it?? its only taxpayer’s money
**bailout money only issued to those willing to appoint govt officials as their new bosses and follow new govt guilines
haha alway read the fine print
ITS ALL ABOUT CONTROL LOOK UP ALEX JONES END GAME
Marie – Pay attention to where you are. This is not the Social Security Administration. Get a clue. (Oh, yes, and you don’t add an apostrophe with a plural, e.g. “Doctors think” not “Doctor’s think.” The sad thing is, signs in government facilities even make this mistake. I mean, I’m not expecting the Queen’s English here, but learn the language, Ms. Taylor.)
Matt & JJ – Thanks for keeping nutcase conspiracy theories alive long after “X-Files” stopped making new episodes. Keep making the rest of us look normal.