Jason Golditch
Articles by this Author
Social Security Numbers: Are they Mandatory for Citizens?
- By Jason Golditch
- Published 06/14/2008
- Social Security
- Unrated
Are Americans required to have a Social Security Number to live and work in the United States? Most Americans are under the assumption that they are required to have a SSN (Social Security Number) in order to get a job, open up a bank account, and basically earn a living in America. Everyone asks for your number these days, don’t they? I mean, if you want to get electricity in your name, they will ask for your SSN, if you want phone service, they sometimes ask for your SSN. In America, it seems like on needs an SSN to do just about anything these days. So there must be a law that requires one, isn’t there? Well it turns out, that contrary to popular belief, having a Social Security Number is 100% voluntary for American citizens. If it was mandatory, babies would be issued SSN’s immediately upon birth! The fact that you have to “apply” for a SSN in the first place should be a strong indication that the Social Security Number is voluntary.
