Who has the first social security number?

The first official Social Security record was for John David Sweeney, Jr. (055-09-0001), a shipping clerk from New Rochelle, NY, who received his number in late 1936, though the first lowest number (001-01-0001) went to Grace Owen, also from New Hampshire, as part of a ceremonial assignment that dignitaries declined, says the Social Security Administration (SSA) history. While Sweeney got the first number assigned through the new process, Owen received the ceremonial "first" number (001-01-0001) when the system began, though the first actual benefits went to Ida May Fuller, according to SSA history (FAQs) and SSA history (Ida May Fuller).


What determines the first 3 digits of your SSN?

Prior to June 25, 2011, the first three digits (the area number) indicated the geographic region where the person applied for their Social Security card. Numbers were assigned by state or territory. After 2011, the SSA implemented randomization, and these digits no longer have geographical significance.

Whose SS number was most misused?

Social Security Cards Issued by Woolworth. The most misused SSN of all time was (078-05-1120). In 1938, wallet manufacturer the E. H. Ferree company in Lockport, New York decided to promote its product by showing how a Social Security card would fit into its wallets.


Who has the oldest SSN?

A possibly-exasperated SSA then opted to simply turn to the first Social Security applicant in New Hampshire. That was Grace Owen of Concord, who was the first to turn in an application in the state and was also the first to have it typed up. Owen's SSN was 001-01-0001, the lowest—but not the first—SSN to be assigned.

Who was the first person with Social Security?

The first recipient of monthly Social Security benefits was Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont, who received her first payment of $22.54 on January 31, 1940, after retiring as a legal secretary. While another individual, Ernest Ackerman, received a one-time lump-sum payment earlier, Fuller was the first to get recurring monthly payments under the Social Security Act.
 


What Is The History Of Social Security Numbers? - The Documentary Reel



Do Amish have SS numbers?

No, most Old Order Amish do not have Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and are exempt from paying SS/Medicare taxes, as they provide for their own elderly and needy, but they must file IRS Form 4029 for this exemption; if they work for non-Amish employers or need federal benefits, they typically get an SSN, though some individuals and children may still not have one due to religious objection, often filing tax returns by mail for dependents without an SSN. 

Who was the first person with a SSN?

The first Social Security number was issued in late 1936 to John David Sweeney, Jr., a shipping clerk from New Rochelle, New York, though his specific number (055-09-0001) wasn't the lowest number ever assigned, with Grace Dorothy Owen receiving the lowest (001-01-0001) later. The process involved post offices distributing forms, with Sweeney's record established first, marking the beginning of the system.
 

How does someone who never worked get Social Security?

Yes, you can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) without a work history, as it's a needs-based program for the blind, disabled, or aged with limited income and resources, unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which requires work credits; you just need to meet medical, income, and asset tests, not job-related contributions, according to the SSA and USA.gov. 


Can two people have the same SSN?

Yes, it is possible, though highly unusual and not legitimate, for two people to have the same Social Security Number (SSN) due to errors, fraud, or data mix-ups, leading to significant problems like financial disruption and identity theft, and while the SSA doesn't reuse numbers, issues arise from system glitches, similar names/birthdays, or data entry mistakes. 

Is SSN for lifetime?

A Social Security card is required for everyone who works in the U.S., including non-immigrants. The card contains a unique Social Security Number (SSN) that you will keep for life. You will need the number for many purposes in the U.S. including employment and paying taxes. A Social Security card is not a work permit.

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 


What's the worst thing someone can do with your SSN?

Some of the worst-case scenarios linked to SSN fraud include criminals opening bank accounts under a fake or someone else's identity, using newly obtained credit cards for fraudulent transactions, or even accessing medical services and receiving huge loans, putting the businesses and their victims behind in debt.

What are the four ways you can lose your Social Security?

4 Ways You Can Lose Your Social Security Benefits
  • You Forfeit up to 30% of Your Benefits by Claiming Early. ...
  • You'll Get Less If You Claim Early and Earn Too Much Money. ...
  • The SSA Suspends Payments If You Go To Jail or Prison. ...
  • You Can Lose Some of Your Benefits to Taxes. ...
  • Finally, You Can Lose SSDI in a Few Ways.


Do social security numbers get reused after death?

No, Social Security numbers (SSNs) are not reused or recycled after a person's death; they are retired and marked as inactive in the Social Security Administration (SSA) system, preventing reassignment to anyone else, ensuring they remain available for estate, inheritance, and benefit processing long after the original owner passes, with randomization ensuring enough numbers for future generations. 


Is your age linked to your SSN?

But none of this identifying information is encoded in the SSN itself--not the person's date of birth, place of birth, or race. (To see a copy of the current SSN application form and the questions it asks, see our main Web site.)

What happens to a deceased person's SSN?

When you die, your Social Security Number (SSN) isn't reassigned but is flagged in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) by the SSA, preventing its reuse and stopping benefits, while family/executor must notify agencies to prevent identity theft, which involves returning payments, freezing accounts, and flagging credit files to stop fraud like "ghosting". 

What is the highest Social Security check anyone can get?

The maximum Social Security benefit varies by retirement age, with the highest possible monthly amount in 2026 being around $5,181 if you wait until age 70, while claiming at Full Retirement Age (FRA) yields about $4,152, and claiming at age 62 results in approximately $2,969. To get the maximum, you must have earned the taxable maximum for at least 35 years, had significant earnings above the annual wage base ($184,500 in 2026), and delayed claiming benefits past your FRA. 


Is 999 99 9999 a real SSN?

No valid SSN has 9 identical digits or has the 9 digits running consecutively from 1-9. For example, all of the following SSNs are invalid: 111-11-1111. 999-99-9999.

Who cannot collect Social Security?

People not eligible for Social Security include those who haven't worked enough to earn 40 credits, certain non-citizens, government employees in non-covered jobs (like some state/local/federal workers), retirees living in specific countries (e.g., Cuba, North Korea), and individuals with certain criminal statuses like fleeing prosecution. Ineligibility often stems from not paying into the system or falling under specific exclusion rules, even if some taxes were paid. 

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Yes, two wives (a current wife and an eligible ex-wife) can potentially collect Social Security benefits from one husband's earnings record, provided each meets separate criteria, like marriage duration and age, and they claim survivor or divorced spouse benefits, with each receiving the higher of their own or the spousal/survivor benefit, without reducing the other's amount. 


Who is entitled to death benefits in Social Security?

Social Security death benefits (survivor benefits) go to eligible family members, primarily the spouse, ex-spouse, children, or dependent parents of a worker who paid Social Security taxes. Eligibility depends on the survivor's age and relationship to the deceased, with spouses potentially receiving a monthly payment (up to 100% of the worker's benefit) or a one-time $255 lump sum, while children and dependent parents also qualify for monthly support. 

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

How did the elderly survive before Social Security?

Before Social Security, the elderly survived through a mix of family support, community help, private savings (if any), continued work, and local/charitable relief, but many faced poverty, relying heavily on extended family or ending up in poorhouses, especially after the Great Depression wiped out savings and industrialization made self-sufficiency harder.