United States Social Security Administration Records: Difference between revisions

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{{CountrySidebar
=== Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Introduction ===
|Country=United States
|Name=United States
|Type=Topic
|Topic Type=Records
|Records=Social Security Administration Records
|Rating=Standardized
}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[United States Social Security Administration Records]]
}}
==Online Resources==
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch - [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].''
*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry ($)]; index;  ''Also at: [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10863/us-social-security-applications-claims-1936-2007?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=apr20historicalrecords&utm_content=apr20historicalrecords MyHeritage]($)''
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


Many people who live in the U.S. have a social security card issued by the U.S. government. A person was registered when he or she filled in an application form supplied by the Social Security Administration and was given a card showing his or her own social security number. The family of a deceased person could claim a small monetary benefit if the deceased had a social security number and the death was reported to the administration.


==Social Security Death Index (SSDI)==
The Social Security Death Index lists people who died between 1962 and the present (there are some earlier entries dating from before 1962). It includes only the names of deceased individuals whose deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration.  
===Index Online===
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch - [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].''


===Background===
=== SSDI on the Internet (free sites)  ===


The "Social Security Death Index" is a database created from the Social Security Administration's Death Master File. This is an index of deceased individuals whose deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration. It has been kept since 1962, when operations were computerized. The index includes a few deaths from 1937 to 1961, about 50 percent of deceased persons from 1962 to 1971, and about 85 percent of deceased persons from 1972 to 2005.
The index is online on several different sites. The following sites have the SSDI online for free:


Married women are usually listed in this index under their married name. Last names longer than 12 letters are shortened to 12 characters. The death place listed is not necessarily the place of death, it is the last place of residence that the Social Security Administration has on file. When two geographical divisions are given they represent County/State as opposed to City/State. For example Jefferson,Texas refers to the county of Jefferson not the City of Jefferson. If a town name of last residence is not listed, it may be found by use of the Zip code. The death date, residence at time of death, Social Security number, and state of issue are usually reliable information since the information comes directly from the Social Security Administration’s master file. However, realize that errors may have occurred when the information was originally entered. Information listed for the name and birth date was provided by an informant and may be inaccurate.
*[http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/ Rootsweb]
*[http://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] click on the '''Search''' tab and then choose the '''Social Security Death Index''' database from the left side of the screen.
*[http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/ssdi FamilyTree Legends]
*{{RecordSearch}}
*[http://www.stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse] Using Stephen P. Morse's web site SSDI web site allows you to search all SSDI websites by typing the information once and switching between the different sites including a few that are not listed here.


The Social Security Administration (SSA) was created in 1936 and began issuing Social Security numbers to track the earnings that workers reported for retirement benefits. In 1961, the Internal Revenue Service began using Social Security numbers to identify taxpayers. The SSA provides an extract from its file for distribution through the Department of Commerce’s National Technical Information Service. Because this extracted file deals with deceased persons, the information is considered to be in the public domain. Several organizations have purchased this file and posted it to their websites.<br>
The Social Security Administration updates the Death Index monthly. Every site does not update their database every month. Therefore, what you find at one site may not be available at another site.  
<br>
The purpose of this index was twofold: to protect the benefits to beneficiaries of pension funds, insurance benefits, and assist Federal, State and Local governments and others responsible for verifying deceased person(s) in support of fulfillment of benefits to their beneficiaries; and to identify and prevent identity fraud, and identify persons who are deceased. In 2014 Federal legislation changed the rules for access to the Social Security Death Master File. Records for the most recent 3 years are not available. This collection was last updated in 2016.<br>
<br>
The follow is a disclaimer from National Technical Information Service:<br>
{{Block indent|1="The products advertised on this website contain the complete and official Social Security Administration (SSA) database extract, as well as updates to the full file of persons reported to SSA as being deceased. SSA authorizes the use of this database as a death verification tool, but notes that the Death Master File (DMF) may contain inaccuracies. Thus, SSA cannot guarantee the accuracy of the DMF. Therefore, the absence of a particular person on this file is not proof that the individual is alive. Further, in rare instances it is possible for the records of a person who is not deceased to be included erroneously in the DMF."}}


For additional information about the index please visit the National Technical Information Service's page [http://www.ntis.gov/products/ssa-dmf.aspx Limited Access Death Master File].
=== SSDI Contents ===
 
==== More information ====
*[[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|For more information]].
 
===SSDI Contents===


The SSDI typically has the following information on the individuals:  
The SSDI typically has the following information on the individuals:  
*Name
*Social security number
*State issued
*Birth date
*Death date
*Last residence
*Lump sum payment


=== Why some individuals are not in the SSDI ===
*Month and year of the death
*'''Unemployed:''' Those that never worked may not have had a social security number. It wasn't until 1987 that assigning a social security at birth was instituted as an option for parents. In 1971, it was required for all US citizens to have a social security number if they wanted to receive any income from employment. 
*Social Security number
*'''Self-employed:''' Those that were self-employed did not qualify for a social security number.  This included farmers, many doctors, attorneys and other self-employed professionals.
*State where the number was issued
*'''Railroad employees:''' The Railroad Act provided those employed in the railroad industry with benefits and did not need social security.
*Last zip code of residence or zip code where the death benefit was sent
*'''Married women:''' Women are found in the index by their legal name. If they were married, they would be listed under their married name, not maiden name.
*'''Deaths were not recorded:'''
*From 1937 to 1961: very few deaths were recorded.
*From 1962-1971, about 50 percent of deceased persons can be found in the SSDI.
*From 1972 to 2005, about 85 percent of deceased persons can be found in the SSDI.


==Social Security Applications and Claims Index==
=== Obtaining Additional Information Beyond the SSDI  ===
===Index Online===


*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry ($)]; index;  ''Also at:  [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10863/us-social-security-applications-claims-1936-2007?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=apr20historicalrecords&utm_content=apr20historicalrecords MyHeritage]($)''
When you find an individual in the Index, you can request a full copy of their application, which is known as a SS-5. [http://ssdi.rootsweb.com Rootsweb] has made the process easy. After completing a search, you will find a link in the "Tools" column labeled "SS-5 letter." By clicking on the link, you will find a form letter with the name, Social Security Number, and pertinent dates from the Death Index already filled in. You will need to do the following before mailing the request to the SSA:  


===Background===
*Add your personal contact information to the letter. Add your name, address, and daytime telephone number.
This database contains information given to the Social Security Administration through the application or claims process. It contains about 49 million people. Some records may include unusual abbreviations or truncated entries for county and other names or punctuation errors in the data.
*Include a check or money order made payable to the Social Security Administration. The SSA also accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit cards. Include the card number and expiration date if you are using a credit card.


===Claims and Applications Contents===
The current fee is USD $27 per record when the Social Security Number is known, and USD $29 when the number is unknown or incorrect. You are charged the fee even if the SSA is unable to locate any information on the person. It may take up to six months to receive a report, so please be patient. RootsWeb has no way to expedite your order, or to determine when it will be sent.


The database typically has the following information on the individuals:
You can also obtain copies of your ancestor's SS-5 application by:
*Applicant's full name
*Social Security Number (SSN)
*Date and place of birth
*Citizenship
*Sex
*Father's name
*Mother's maiden name
*Race/ethnic description (optional)


Additionally you might find changes made to the applicant's record, including name changes or information on claims that were recorded.
*Print Form SSA-711 “Request for Deceased Individual’s Social Security Record.” found at [http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-711.pdf Social Security].
*Call your local Social Security office and request a copy of Form SSA-711.


==Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT)==  
=== SS-5 Application Contents  ===
===Indexes Online===
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


===Background===
The SS-5 application is important to a family history researcher because of the detail it provides. The SS-5 application contains the following information:  
The Social Security Administration created these records to track the earnings of US workers and determine benefit entitlements. The index contains information for deceased individuals and was gathered from three record types in the collection: 1. applications, 2. deaths, and 3. claims. Each compiled record includes fields for the name of the deceased, social security number, parents' names, gender, birth city and state or country, birth date, and death date.<br>
<br>
This record collection is taken from a [[National Archives and Records Administration]] (NARA) database titled "[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/12004494 Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), created, 1936 - 2007]." The NARA database consists of three different types of record entries: <br>


* 72,182,729 Application record entries
*Applicant's full name
* 25,230,486 Claim record entries
*Age at last birthday
* 49,459,293 Death record entries
*Date and place of birth
<br>
*Father and mother's full name (including the mother's maiden name)
A person often has multiple entries in the NARA database. Utilizing the social security number, FamilySearch merged multiple entries into one, resulting in 63,700,494 records. The ''name note'' specifies, for each of the combined entries, the entry type, the name as it appears in that entry, and the date. While the date for death and claim entries specifies the death or claim date, respectively, dates for applications specify when the entry was added to the NUMIDENT database.<br>
*Gender
 
*Date signed and applicant's signature
*[[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|For more information]]


==SS-5 Application - Ordering a Copy==
{{See also|Social Security Death Index (SSDI)}}
===Online Resources===
*[https://www.ssa.gov/foia/request.html Social Security Administration] - link to order a copy of the original Social Security Application (SS-5) application for a deceased individual<br>
*[https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-711.pdf Order by mail] - Instructions for ordering a deceased individual's Social Security Application (SS-5) by mail<br>
*[https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2020/11/16/ordering-the-ss-5-2020-style/ Legal Genealogist] - Additional information for ordering the application online
 
=== Additional Information about SS-5===
After you find your ancestor in the ''Social Security Death Index'' and the ''Social Security Applications and Claims Index,'' you may want to [https://www.ssa.gov/foia/request.html order a copy] of their ''SS-5 Application''. The current fee is USD $21 per record when the Social Security Number is known, and USD $21 when the number is unknown or incorrect. You are charged the fee even if the SSA is unable to locate any information on the person. It may take up to six months to receive a report.<br>
<br>
For individuals that have died within the last 100 years, you must include proof of death, such as an obituary or death record. Othewise, the parents names will redacted.<br>
<br>
The SS-5 application contains the following information:<br>
*Applicant's full name
*Age at last birthday
*Date and place of birth
*Father and mother's full name (including the mother's maiden name)
*Gender
*Date signed and applicant's signature


<br>
[[Category:United_States]]
[[Category:Social Security Administration Records]]

Revision as of 08:11, 16 March 2011

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Introduction[edit | edit source]

Many people who live in the U.S. have a social security card issued by the U.S. government. A person was registered when he or she filled in an application form supplied by the Social Security Administration and was given a card showing his or her own social security number. The family of a deceased person could claim a small monetary benefit if the deceased had a social security number and the death was reported to the administration.

The Social Security Death Index lists people who died between 1962 and the present (there are some earlier entries dating from before 1962). It includes only the names of deceased individuals whose deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration.

SSDI on the Internet (free sites)[edit | edit source]

The index is online on several different sites. The following sites have the SSDI online for free:

The Social Security Administration updates the Death Index monthly. Every site does not update their database every month. Therefore, what you find at one site may not be available at another site.

SSDI Contents[edit | edit source]

The SSDI typically has the following information on the individuals:

  • Month and year of the death
  • Social Security number
  • State where the number was issued
  • Last zip code of residence or zip code where the death benefit was sent

Obtaining Additional Information Beyond the SSDI[edit | edit source]

When you find an individual in the Index, you can request a full copy of their application, which is known as a SS-5. Rootsweb has made the process easy. After completing a search, you will find a link in the "Tools" column labeled "SS-5 letter." By clicking on the link, you will find a form letter with the name, Social Security Number, and pertinent dates from the Death Index already filled in. You will need to do the following before mailing the request to the SSA:

  • Add your personal contact information to the letter. Add your name, address, and daytime telephone number.
  • Include a check or money order made payable to the Social Security Administration. The SSA also accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit cards. Include the card number and expiration date if you are using a credit card.

The current fee is USD $27 per record when the Social Security Number is known, and USD $29 when the number is unknown or incorrect. You are charged the fee even if the SSA is unable to locate any information on the person. It may take up to six months to receive a report, so please be patient. RootsWeb has no way to expedite your order, or to determine when it will be sent.

You can also obtain copies of your ancestor's SS-5 application by:

  • Print Form SSA-711 “Request for Deceased Individual’s Social Security Record.” found at Social Security.
  • Call your local Social Security office and request a copy of Form SSA-711.

SS-5 Application Contents[edit | edit source]

The SS-5 application is important to a family history researcher because of the detail it provides. The SS-5 application contains the following information:

  • Applicant's full name
  • Age at last birthday
  • Date and place of birth
  • Father and mother's full name (including the mother's maiden name)
  • Gender
  • Date signed and applicant's signature
See also: Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
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