Can you really "give back" your Social Security Number?

Question

I was recently told that you can literally "give back" your Social Security Number. That, with all of the problems in the government and the management of our Social Security, someone can actually elect to opt out of the Social Security program and cash out whatever contribution they've made so far. I know the identity, medical care, license, work, and housing problems associated with not having one. I'm curious though, about the actual legality of it.

Can you really give it back if you are willing to put up with the inconvenience? Could you earn more if you were to invest that money yourself, with the shape that the Social Security Program is in? Is that a financially wise move to make? Is it even technically, legally possible?

Answer 1

I don't believe you can. I think part of the confusion lies in RailRoad workers.

"Employers and employees covered by the Railroad Retirement Act pay higher retirement taxes than those covered by the Social Security Act, so that railroad retirement benefits remain higher than social security benefits, especially for career employees."
http://www.rrb.gov/opa/qa/pub_0703.asp

These folks are under a different system.

They do, however, have SSNs:

"Do you have a railroad worker in your family tree? Up until 1963, railroad employees were assigned Social Security numbers in a series from 700-728.

Since 1989, an SSA program has enabled parents to automatically obtain a Social Security number for a newborn infant when the birth is registered with the state, a sure indicator of place of birth"
http://www.genealogy.com/79_pamela.html

This probably springs from the same idiots who periodically send out reports that Congressmen don't pay into Social Security. That is FALSE. You can read actual FACTS at:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/pensions.asp

There are also section 218 government employees who are not fully Social Security:
http://www.ssa.gov/slge/faqs.htm

There are people who DID opt out.

"About 4 percent of workers do not pay into Social Security. Most of these are state and local government employees like state workers and teachers in areas that have "opted out" of Social Security before the loophole was closed in 1983. These workers face unique issues and challenges with regard to retirement security."
http://mysocialsecurity.org/main/content.php?categorylinks=35

Note it said that "loophole" was closed in 1983.

BTW, SSNs are not reissued--so if you had 000-12-1234 ONLY you can ever have that number. This is part of the NIGHTMARE of stolen SSNs. If it is a "tainted" number, the holder of that SSN has a LOOOOOOOOOONG nightmare on his hands, but that's another story.

We are simply going to have to deal with fixing Social Security (and a host of other problems) instead of leaving some millions holding the bag.

Answer 2

Although this and various other proposals have been proposed and debated by several factions over the years, it is not currently possible to 'opt out' of the social security system. For interesting reading, type that in the search bar -- "opt out of social security' and see the articles and discussions that come up.

Answer 3

I have never heard that you can give it back but i did read something about that people dont really have to take on a ss # to begin with , that somewhere in the laws it prefers you to receive one as a child but that its not actually a requirement. I just dont know how this would affect your life though everything you do now requires a ss# so you may want to research it some more.

Answer 4

I doubt it. If that were the case, when you were born your parents would have had the choice of registering you for one or not. S.S. is something you are stuck with even if you dont want it.

Answer 5

Thats a damn good question. And although I have no idea Im going to post an answer anyway so that I can see what people say!
: )

Answer 6

Yes you can. But you forfeit your citizenship. You would no longer have a country.

Answer 7

I think so, you can cash it in when you want, I think., it's either ss or something else

Answer 8

Never heard of such a thing.

Answer 9

No you can't give it back......... if identity fraud can be proved.. then you can get a new number...but very hard to do.

Answer 10

What you were told is not correct.