A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique identifier issued by the U.S. government to its citizens and certain non-citizens. It is used to track an individual’s earnings and determine eligibility for Social Security benefits, Medicare, and other government programs. In some cases, it may be necessary or beneficial to obtain a new SSN.
Changing one’s SSN can help protect against identity theft, prevent fraud, or correct errors. Historically, the Social Security Administration had strict rules against issuing new SSNs, but in recent years, exceptions have been made in certain circumstances.