The Social Security Card as a De Facto National ID

The Unofficial National ID: Social Security Card

American Independence and National ID

  • Americans value independence and are wary of government oversight.

  • This sentiment is reflected in the resistance to a national ID card.

  • Despite this, the Social Security card and number have become a de facto national ID, though unintended.

The Social Security Number as a Quasi-ID

  • The Social Security number (SSN) functions as a unique identifier for U.S. citizens.

  • It's used by government and banks to identify individuals.

  • Protecting the SSN is crucial due to its importance in preventing identity theft.

Origins of Social Security

  • The Social Security program was created during the Great Depression as a mandatory pension system.

  • Workers contribute during their employment and receive benefits upon retirement.

  • The SSN was initially intended to track individual contributions and withdrawals.

Evolution of SSN Usage

  • Initially, only working individuals needed an SSN.

  • Over time, it became common for individuals to have one from birth.

  • This shift was driven by the need for institutions to track individuals effectively.

The Tax Department's Role

  • The U.S. Tax Department began using the SSN to track taxpayers.

  • This was done to address challenges in identifying individuals due to name changes, mobility, etc.

  • Tax discounts were tied to children having SSNs, eliminating fraudulent claims of phantom children.

Widespread Adoption of the SSN

  • The SSN became a universal identifier, facilitating tracking by banks, schools, companies, and landlords.

  • This provided a convenient way to exchange information between institutions.

  • The desire to avoid a national ID card led to the SSN being used as a substitute, despite its unsuitability.

Security Flaws of the SSN

  • The SSN lacks built-in security features like self-checking digits.

  • Older SSNs (pre-2011) are relatively easy to guess based on the state and time of birth.

  • The physical card is basic and lacks security features.

  • The Social Security department's attempt to prevent its use as identification was unsuccessful.

Lack of Universality

  • The Social Security program is not truly universal, as exceptions exist.

  • Individuals can opt out under specific conditions, such as belonging to a religious group opposed to insurance.

  • The Amish and Mennonites are examples of groups with exemptions.

  • Other exceptions include certain railroad workers, firefighters, police, and teacher (e.g. in Chicago).

Summary

  • The Social Security card serves as a de facto national ID despite lacking security and universality.

  • It originated as a means of tracking pension contributions but evolved into a widely used identifier.