A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States. It is primarily used to:
- Track individuals for Social Security benefits – such as retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
- Report wages to the government – for tax purposes.
- Identify individuals – in various official and financial systems (e.g., opening bank accounts, applying for jobs, filing taxes, getting a driver’s license).
Format:
It looks like this: XXX-XX-XXXX
Who Needs It:
- U.S. citizens
- Permanent residents (green card holders)
- Temporary nonimmigrants authorized to work in the U.S.
Without an SSN, a person generally cannot legally work in the U.S., and many employers, government agencies, and financial institutions require it.