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The Daily Insight

Who was SS number 1

Author

Mia Walsh

Published Apr 24, 2026

This particular record, (055-09-0001) belonged to John D. Sweeney, Jr., age 23, of New Rochelle, New York. The next day, newspapers around the country announced that Sweeney had been issued the first SSN.

Who has a SS number?

A Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number that is generally issued to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain (working) nonimmigrants. The Social Security Administration issues the number to track individuals employment for Social Security benefits.

What do the first 3 numbers of your Social mean?

The first set of three digits is called the Area Number. The second set of two digits is called the Group Number. The final set of four digits is the Serial Number.

How are the first 3 digits of your Social Security number determined?

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. … The number merely established that his/her card was issued by one of our offices in that State.

Do any SS numbers start with 9?

SSA will not issue SSNs beginning with the number “9”. … SSA will not issue SSNs with the number “00” in positions 4 – 5. • SSA will not issue SSNs with the number “0000” in positions 6 – 9.

Can you tell where someone was born by their Social Security number?

Look at the first three digits of your SSN. These three digits are called the “Area Number” and are the only part of your SSN that can help identify your birth location.

What is a 900 Social Security number?

AREA numbers 900-999 (no longer valid SSNs, but were used briefly for program purposes when state aid to the aged, blind and disabled was converted to a federal program administered by SSA)

What does a SSN starting with 9 mean?

When an employer receives a W-4 form listing a Social Security Number that begins with a “9”, the employer should recognize that this is an ITIN and it cannot be used when filing W-2 forms. However, if this is the only number provided, the SSA advises employers to use it.

Can someone have the same last 4 digits of SSN?

Although the last four digits of your Social Security number are very freely shared, they are, in fact, the most important part to protect. … Only the last four digits of your Social Security number are truly random and unique.

Does your SSN tell your age?

The Serial Number, itself, doesn’t say anything about your location or age that the Group Number and Area Number don’t already say, although since they are assigned consecutively, they could potentially reveal your relative age within a Group and an Area.

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Is 123456789 a valid SSN?

The social security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social security numbers are considered invalid by the SSA when they meet any of the following criteria: All zeros (000000000) … Consecutive digits in numerical order (123456789)

Do SS numbers mean anything?

Do the digits in my social security number represent anything in particular? Social security numbers (SSNs) are not random numbers. They are assigned regionally and in batches. Area numbers – The first three numbers originally represented the state in which a person first applied for a social security card.

Can SSN have 10 digits?

The SSN is a 10-digit number, issued by the Social Security Administration, a U.S. government agency, that is used to track tax payments and issuance of benefits for U.S. citizens, permanent residents (“Green Card” holders), and other resident and non-resident aliens with work authorization.

When did Social Security numbers begin?

The best we can say with certainty is that the first SSN was issued sometime in mid-November 1936. In any case, on whatever day the first card was issued, hundreds of thousands of SSNs were probably issued on that same day, so many people had Social Security cards issued on the very first day they became available.

What does it mean when a Social Security number starts with 8?

Since 1972 SSNs have been issued centrally and the area number in SSNs assigned since 1972 corresponds to the residence location of the applicant as indicated on the application for the SSN. … An area number in the 800 series is bogus, so any SSN beginning with an “8” is invalid. An area number of “000” is also invalid.

What does it mean if your Social Security number starts with a 0?

Any number beginning with “000”, “666”, “900-999”, has a middle “00”, or ends in “0000” will never be a valid SSN. Originally, the first three digits were assigned by the geographical region in which the person was residing at the time the number was assigned.

What is a 999 Social Security number?

The Social Security Administration has never issued a number in the 800 or 900 range. Therefore, a number beginning in 999 is not valid.

How many SSN are there?

There are approximately 420 million numbers available for assignment. However, the previous SSN assignment process limited the number of SSNs available for issuance to individuals by each state. Changing the assignment methodology extended the longevity of the nine digit SSN in all states.

Can I change my SSN?

The Social Security Administration does allow you to change your number, but only under limited circumstances, such as identity theft or if your safety is in danger. You will also need to supply appropriate documentation to support your application for a new number.

What Social Security numbers are invalid?

  • The first three digits (former area number) as “000,” “666,” or in the 900 series.
  • The second group of two digits (former group number) as “00.”
  • The third group of four digits (former serial number) as “0000.”

Can a person have 2 Social Security numbers?

You may be surprised to know; you can get a second Social Security number, and there are legal reasons that allow it. As a matter of fact, you are allowed to have up to three Social Security numbers during your lifetime. If you are a citizen of the United States, children and adults are required to have them.

How much is your Social Security number worth?

How much is a stolen identity worth? For people with high credit scores, a Social Security number, birth date, and full name can sell for $60 to $80 on the digital black market.

Can someone use your Social Security number with a different name?

They can use your SSN to get a loan in your name. Then, using the data, an identity thief could get a loan in your name — and never pay it back. This is not only bad for your credit, Weisman said, but it can also affect your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, get insurance or obtain a loan.

Can a SSN end in 9999?

SSN is given a serial number from the series 2001-2999 and 7001-7999. The last three serial numbers issued are 9998, 9999, and 7999. Serial number 0000 is never used. … Additional area numbers have been designated for these locations.

Does SSN expire?

Does an SSN expire? No. Once an SSN has been assigned it is an individual’s unique number for the rest of his or her life in the United States. However, the individual’s work authorization may expire.

Who owns this SSN?

The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent agency of the United States government.

Which president first borrowed from Social Security?

1.STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT UPON MAKING PUBLIC THE REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL ON AGING–FEBRUARY 9, 19648.LETTER TO THE NATION’S FIRST SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARY INFORMING HER OF INCREASED BENEFITS–SEPTEMBER 6, 1965

Which president messed up Social Security?

1.SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE CONGRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY — SEPTEMBER 25, 19694.STATEMENT ABOUT APPROVAL OF THE WELFARE REFORM AND SOCIAL SECURITY BILL BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS–MAY 18, 1971

Who started Social Security?

The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. In addition to several provisions for general welfare, the new Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.