Social Security Number Holders in the United States, 1909-2019.

Yuji Ogihara

doi:10.3389/fdata.2021.802256

Abstract

Currently, a social security number (SSN) is held by almost every legal resident of the United States and works as an important numbering system. However, this was not the case in the early years of the Social Security program and historical changes in SSN holder rates had not been examined sufficiently. It is important to understand the changes in health policies and situations. Thus, the present article examined historical changes in the rates of SSN holders in the United States between 1909 and 2019. Analyses demonstrated that the rates clearly increased. Specifically, in Phase 1 (1909-1919), the rates were low in the early period, but they increased markedly. In Phase 2 (1919-1952), the rates continued to increase gradually. In Phase 3 (1952-2019), the rates were almost 100% and reached saturation. This basic information leads to a better understanding of the health policies and situations, contributing to medical and social science research.

Highlights

A social security number (SSN) is held by almost every legal resident of the United States and works as an important numbering system [for reviews, see Puckett (2009); Puckett (2010)]
More occupations became covered by the program, and the use of the SSN expanded significantly, leading to an Social Security Number Holders increasing number of people obtaining an SSN
The rates of SSN holders in the United States were calculated as the number of SSN holders divided by the number of live births each year

Summary

INTRODUCTION

A social security number (SSN) is held by almost every legal resident of the United States and works as an important numbering system [for reviews, see Puckett (2009); Puckett (2010)]. Because of its efficiency, the SSN gained various widespread uses, such as health insurance, medical assistance, and supplemental security income. It has become a national identifier, and the most commonly used numbering system in the United States. Historical changes in SSN holder rates had not been examined sufficiently. Historical changes in SSN holder rates had not been examined sufficiently1 They provide important and fundamental information for medical and social science research. The present article examined the historical changes in the rates of SSN holders

METHOD

CONCLUSION

Findings

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT