SSN numbers are good for 999,999,999 people alive or dead. At some point the US will hit that, right? Do we start reusing numbers? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

    • AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.worldEnglish
      41·
      1 month ago

      They are regularly recycled.

      Not according to the SSA’s Q&A:

      Q20: Are Social Security numbers reused after a person dies?

      A: No. We do not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder’s death. Even though we have issued over 453 million SSNs so far, and we assign about 5 and one-half million new numbers a year, the current numbering system will provide us with enough new numbers for several generations into the future with no changes in the numbering system.

    • litchralee@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      261·
      1 month ago

      This does not agree with what the Social Security Administration has published:

      Q20: Are Social Security numbers reused after a person dies?

      A: No. We do not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder’s death. Even though we have issued over 453 million SSNs so far, and we assign about 5 and one-half million new numbers a year, the current numbering system will provide us with enough new numbers for several generations into the future with no changes in the numbering system.

    • Chozo@fedia.io
      42·
      1 month ago

      The possible combinations exceed the maximum occupancy of this planet.

      Only one country gets SSNs, not the whole planet.