What happens when the US runs out of SSNs?
What happens when the US runs out of SSNs?
SSN numbers are good for 999,999,999 people alive or dead. At some point the US will hit that, right? Do we start reusing numbers? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
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SS numbers can't start with a 9, so you might wanna recalculate that.
Why not?
Reserved for employer identification numbers.
Or newborn babies. I still got a 950 number written on the back of my official birth certificate.
Interesting, never heard of that. I've certainly obtained EINs that begin 95-...
I don't make the rules, but here ya go..
https://en.as.com/en/2021/10/19/latest_news/1634661081_521261.html
I think they're used as placeholders while they file the documents. My OG SS number started with 950, but that only lasted until the paperwork was complete.
Obviously I won't be sharing my private info here though, but yeah, those numbers can't officially start with a 9.
There are several more that aren't used. There are a few reserved for promotions or movies and such. 666, 900-999 and 000 numbers are out as well.
I believe that SSNs have to pass a luhn check too.
But that would mean there's already duplicates in use as you'd be limited to 90 million rather than 900 million.
From the first link.
Unlike many similar numbers, Social Security numbers have no check digit.
From the second.
The Luhn algorithm is used to check or validate identification numbers to ensure their accuracy. Today, the algorithm verifies that a credit card or Social Security number was input and processed accurately.
Yeah, personally, I have questions about the luhn check myself. (I am not in a state to research more this evening, unfortunately.)
I'll save you the bother. It doesn't have one. :)
If it did, there wouldn't be enough numbers for everyone to have a unique one.