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“Do you know where your Social Security card is?” my husband asked yesterday, touching off a flurry of activity. I knew where it once was, but I had cleaned that desk out last year, throwing away most of the old files and ancient office supplies. Try as I might, I could not put my finger on my old SS card anywhere.
My husband lives in a state of piles. Looking at his room, you couldn’t imagine he would ever be able to find anything. But alas, 5 minutes later he managed to retrieve a very ancient SS card from some pile somewhere.
He needed it for a transaction for his 100-year-old aunt’s estate, which he is managing. But truthfully I can’t remember needing my card for much of anything since the day it was issued.
After wasting a lot of time looking for my card, I decided to apply for a new one after reading online there is no charge for a replacement. I printed off the form, filled it out, panicking when it asked for my parents’ SS numbers, but then realizing that was only for first-time applicants under the age of 18.
I located the closest SS office, drove over there, and experienced an efficient operation that had me back on the road in about 10 minutes. The clerk, who was about my age, even commented that she hadn’t thought about Panama City for a long time, recalling that it was supposed to be a “fun place.” I had never much thought of it in those terms, but then I was not one of those crazed college kids from Alabama or Georgia spending a drunken Spring break on “the world’s most beautiful beaches.”
So in 2 weeks, I will once again be a card carrier. I can imagine the greatest use of that little card will be to remind me of my 9-digit number when my mind can no longer pull it up.
So now, how about you? Do you know where your SS card is? When was the last time you used it for anything?
posted by Barbara at 10:15 AM
19 Comments:
You have to use it to get a driver's license! and I think you have to have it to enroll in school. And you might need it if you lost your birth certificate. I don't know what you might need your birth certificate for though.
I've never had to use my SS card, but I do know where it is! I keep it in a card file in my desk drawer.
I've used mine as a form of ID in filling out W4s at new jobs. I think. I used to know exactly where it was (in my underwear drawer) but I moved it. I still know where it is but I have to think for a second. I might have to move it back. As strange a local as the drawer seems, I knew where it was.
Just listened to a security specialist talking about identity fraud and he said you shouldn't carry it. You so rarely need it it's better to lock it someplace safe (safe deposit box?).
Of course, in VA, your driver's license number is often/usually your SSN. Kinda crazy.
I know exactly where mine is but now I think I'll go put it where we keep the passports (wherever that is)
I have NEVER used it. Just have to remember the number onced in a while.
Six months ago I finally got around to replacing mine, which had been destroyed in the fire. The new one is still attached to the piece of paper it came on and it's currently sitting right next to my new passport which I did replace right away. The replacement process was quick and easy, the same way it was for you. I still need to get my birth certificate replaced, I guess.
It's in my card case which I carry at all times. Don't now why......Have never had to show it to anyone. Oh well.
WB -- You are young enough to remember that you need a SS card to get a driver's license. I actually used my birth certificate to get a replacement SS card. You also need it to get a passport.
BTW, I discovered my passport was expired in the process of reapplying for a SS card, so I'm sending off the application today with my new photos to renew it.
LA -- Virginia dropped using the SS number as the identifier. So yet another number to keep track of!
Everyone -- I am most impressed that all of you are able to put your hands on your SS card. Hopefully I will keep track of the new one just in case I ever discover a use for it.
I do indeed know where it is. I'm not sure when I last used it, though. I just save it because someone told me I was supposed to!
(Doesn't it seem silly that in this day and age of computers we have to rely so much on a little card??)
Steve -- I'm not sure how the myth that we need to keep the physical card was perpetuated, but we obviously all bought into it.
The world needs to be going to an identity system that uses a person's thumb, since a thumbprint is as unique as DNA and impossible to fake!
I know exactly where my card is.
Merle -- Have you used it in the past 30 years?
I found mine though it wasn't exactly where I last remember putting it so that prompted a search. I also found my passport was due for renewal - thanks Barbara! I last used my SS card when I changed my name after the divorce - 26 years ago!
Mine is in my desk drawer, I haven't needed to show it --ever that I can recall. but I do need to get my passport renewed soon. I probably needed it way back when to get the very first passport.
My social security card is in my wallet. I know, I know...I shouldn't carry it with me. But seriously, anyone who steals my identity will be extremely disappointed in the results *laughs*.
I use my social security card every time I start a new job as ID for my I-9 form (proof of eligibility to work in the US). In my experience, most people use their SS card as ID for the I-9. I've had very few give me their passport or birth certificate for their I-9 identification.
Used mine ( and the birth certificate ) to get a passport-- and for all the girl's passports-- I know exactly where they are-- in a manilla envelope in my closet labled vital statistics (marriage liscense is there too).
Although, when I was in college, our SSN was "code" for getting the meals on campus and the registrar's office and 101 things that you do on campus.
So now, I have mine AND my hubby's SSN memorized. People really freak out when they ask my hubby's SSN, I'm sure they're expecting an "I don't know, or let me go get that."
Good grief, I hope I never get them mixed up as I get older. That would really mess up the system. Tina
I forgot to add that I did use mine (actually my hubby's) the other day-- his SSN number is the individual number for his group health insurance.
And-- aren't they used on the tax returns?? April 15th would be the last time you used them???
Tina
Anon -- My question was not when you last used your SS #, because I know that is used all the time. But rather, when did someone ask to see your SS card?
Sorry. At the driver's liscence bureau. If you want to get a Driver's Liscense in another state!
When going from state to state-- they ask for your SSN CARD! NOT just the #, but, the actual CARD!! (at least that's what happened to my friend who is moving from AR to MS, they asked for the actual card!) Needless to say, they had it in AR, and can't get their DL now.
SO== if you are moving from state to state-- you need the SSN CARD--not just the number! to get a licsence (sp) in the state you want. Tina
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