US passport

[lucyrich 20]

What if my immigration status or citizenship changed?

If your immigration status changed or you became a U.S. citizen, you should tell Social Security so your records can be updated.http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10002.html#immigration

Yes, that may be what they say - but what for? So they can give you a new card that looks just like your old card? Why bother?

The reason is that certain benefits are only available to US Citizens, or have additional conditions attached to them which limit their availability to some aliens.

You don't need to get a new card. If you did, it would look just like the old one, as you say, and that would be pointless.

I'm not sure how all the federal computer databases are linked. I don't know if there may be some potential problems you might avoid by demonstrating your citizenship status to the SSA, but it seems like it couldn't hurt to give them the correct info.

Maybe it doesn't make a whole lot of difference until you apply for benefits.

[akdiver 3]

We're not planning on ever getting any "benefits" from social security anyway. We view it as just another tax - money gone into some black hole that will never be seen again.

[hotairguy 0]

Great thing about the US, don't need to do it at all. Ignore advise and written instruction and do whatever you want.

[akdiver 3]

Great thing about the US, don't need to do it at all. Ignore advise and written instruction and do whatever you want.

Great sarcasm - but you still haven't clearly illustrated the need to do this.

Strictly speaking, even people who are BORN in the U.S. and citizens from birth are not legally required to obtain a social security number, or tell the SSA anything about themselves. While doing so may make life in society somewhat difficult, one would still be perfectly within the law.

[NickD 203]

Great thing about the US, don't need to do it at all. Ignore advise and written instruction and do whatever you want.

Great sarcasm - but you still haven't clearly illustrated the need to do this.

Strictly speaking, even people who are BORN in the U.S. and citizens from birth are not legally required to obtain a social security number, or tell the SSA anything about themselves. While doing so may make life in society somewhat difficult, one would still be perfectly within the law.

Try to get a job, utilities, credit cards, disability, Medicade, and even some retirement benefits without a social security card. For me, going to SS can be done in under five minutes, and the reason why I go in, do not want to risk losing important documents, leave the the copies, show them the original, and will be far more assuring that my wife will get her benefits then if we did nothing.

The USCIS has been a very expensive and time consuming venture, but the price I had to pay to bring here, the woman of my dreams. After her oath, already have everything planned out that should be done in a single morning, then it will be over.

[akdiver 3]

... and will be far more assuring that my wife will get her benefits then if we did nothing.

Unless she is reasonably close to retirement age, you're quite the optimist (:

Social security is a scam invented by government to make people dependent on it, so they would keep supporting government. Too bad they screwed it up and soon will lose the ability to pay the promised "benefits" to those who were forced to pay into it.

If you or I collect money from voluntary investors and use it to pay off those you already collected money from, it's called a ponzai scheme and determined to be illegal. When the government does it, it's called social security, and most people are forced to participate. Go figure.

Edited August 29, 2008 by akdiver

[NickD 203]

... and will be far more assuring that my wife will get her benefits then if we did nothing.

Unless she is reasonably close to retirement age, you're quite the optimist (:

Social security is a scam invented by government to make people dependent on it, so they would keep supporting government. Too bad they screwed it up and soon will lose the ability to pay the promised "benefits" to those who were forced to pay into it.

If you or I collect money from voluntary investors and use it to pay off those you already collected money from, it's called a ponzai scheme and determined to be illegal. When the government does it, it's called social security, and most people are forced to participate. Go figure.

If you are hinting that our government is screwing us, certainly can't disagree with that and wonder if the majority of our representatives are more interested in foreign nations than us. FICA are right off the top, if you have a small business and net only 400 bucks, 60 bucks of that goes to FICA taxes, seems a bit unreasonable. The FICA full deduction in the last 30 years was raised from $6,000.00 to $80,000.00 per year with even a smaller percentage above $80,000.00, meaning 30 years ago, would only pay FICA taxes on the first $6,000.00, if you made more than that, FICA taxes were no longer deducted. Earning $80,000 per year can have a penalty of $12,000 in FICA taxes and with the very low benefits, one would be lucky to get one year of that money back in a year from SS. Thing is you can pay that for 40 years, and with poor Medicare benefits and care, they hope you die within two so they only have to pay your survivors about 500 bucks to dig a hole to dump you in, but yet they claim they are going broke. It's easy to pay FICA taxes, but getting any benefits is a nightmare, if you do not pay in, you won't get anything.

FICA taxes are only charged on earned income, some slob working at Wal-Mart with zero benefits on their typical 39.5 hour work week are paying a lot more FICA taxes than Donald Thrump. CEO's with their huge bonuses do not pay FICA taxes, only meant for the poor slobs. Wasn't this way 30 years ago, if have had crooks leading this country. If you want to beat the SS system, just simply live until you are 170 year old and collect benefits.

Another way they screw you is with inflation, the inflation rate can be higher than the current CD interest rate, you actually have less money at the end of the year, but to add insult to injury, have to pay income taxes on that interest.

Tariffs are yet another government means of controlling trade policies, we are screwing our European friends with high tariffs, but were paying the Japanese 10% for anything we imported from them, this was started with Nixon and try to compete with a Japanese corporation when you had to pay huge taxes and they were making money on anything they sold us. No wonder why Sony owns our entertainment industry. FCC had a law that no foreign country could own anything in our communications, that changed with Reagan and government consumer protection was killed by practically eliminating the FTC. Have problems with a product, just hire an attorney is the current procedure. Ha, spend $10,000 because you are having problems with a ten buck CD player.

We were far better off when we had organized crime in this country, nobody was twisting your arm to go to those ripoff places, but it seems that organized crime now is our government.

Same on the local level, beating your self to death to pay property taxes, when your representatives decide we need a new 100 million dollar court house so they can send you to jail in style.

Do I blame our politicians for this? No, they have the opportunity to make a quick buck, but I do blame my fellow Americans for letting this happen, more interested in the likes of Britney Spears and the Super Bowl then what's going on this in country. And choose a president they think they would rather have a beer with, but have to admit, the other guys running weren't worth a darn either.

[hotairguy 0]

Great thing about the US, don't need to do it at all. Ignore advise and written instruction and do whatever you want.

Great sarcasm - but you still haven't clearly illustrated the need to do this.

Strictly speaking, even people who are BORN in the U.S. and citizens from birth are not legally required to obtain a social security number, or tell the SSA anything about themselves. While doing so may make life in society somewhat difficult, one would still be perfectly within the law.

Yep, little sarcasm. Not because I am some type of Social Security fan, but you asked a question based on what I just expirienced. I went through the trouble of finding the exact spot where SS says what you should do but you seem dead set on your opinion which is fine, just wondering why you asked the question then. Who knows what laws will be passed in the next few years, maybe one that says that permanent residents have to work 50 years before getting any benefits. Only took me 15 minutes to submit the forms.

Marilyn and Peter.

[NickD 203]

Great thing about the US, don't need to do it at all. Ignore advise and written instruction and do whatever you want.

Great sarcasm - but you still haven't clearly illustrated the need to do this.

Strictly speaking, even people who are BORN in the U.S. and citizens from birth are not legally required to obtain a social security number, or tell the SSA anything about themselves. While doing so may make life in society somewhat difficult, one would still be perfectly within the law.

Yep, little sarcasm. Not because I am some type of Social Security fan, but you asked a question based on what I just expirienced. I went through the trouble of finding the exact spot where SS says what you should do but you seem dead set on your opinion which is fine, just wondering why you asked the question then. Who knows what laws will be passed in the next few years, maybe one that says that permanent residents have to work 50 years before getting any benefits. Only took me 15 minutes to submit the forms.

Marilyn and Peter.

Suppose you can get away with it if born independently wealthy with no interest of dividend income that is reported to the IRS where you will be required to get an SS card. Another way would be to sell illegal drugs on the streets or to rob convenience stores or banks, that is generally unreported income, unless you get caught. But if you are honest, should report those on your N-400 for crimes you committed but not caught or arrested for. Wonder how many crooks answer yes to that?

But if applying for citizenship which this board is all about, they kind of like to know your source of income and generally want to see all of your tax returns, including W2 and 1099 statements. And those definitely require an SS number. Ha, I hear that he illegals are scrambling down to someplace in Chicago to buy counterfeit cards and paying a steep price for them, least as a legal resident you get a legal card for free, and who knows, maybe even get a buck or two back in benefits.

[akdiver 3]

I went through the trouble of finding the exact spot where SS says what you should do but you seem dead set on your opinion which is fine, just wondering why you asked the question then.

This is my point. They say what you SHOULD do, not what you are legally REQUIRED to do. The government thinks you SHOULD do a lot of things. Why? Here's a hint: not necessarily because it is to your benefit. Government just wants to keep tabs on you and if you want to voluntarily help it control and manage your life, then by all means, go ahead.

[akdiver 3]

Well, I emailed the SSA and asked THEM about this issue. Here is the response:

Thank you for contacting the Social Security Administration regarding the need to inform the Social Security Administration of your becoming a United States (U.S.) citizen. You are correct that if you have been issued an unrestricted Social Security number (SSN) card as a lawful permanent resident, it is the same type of card that is issued to United States citizens. However, by providing proof of United States citizenship when applying for a replacement Social Security card, you will update the code on your SSN record to identify you as having established United States citizenship.

Note that all they really said is that you update your records to reflect that you are a citizen. There is no mention of WHY to do this or how it is useful to YOU. Just FYI.

[NickD 203]

"Report Your Change in Citizenship to the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration requires any person who has a change in his or her immigration or citizenship status to report that change to the Social Security Administration (see Your Social Security Number And Card ).

Reporting this change is actually to the benefit of you, the new citizen. Why?

* The social security database will be updated showing you as a US citizen. This database is shared with all federal agencies and many state agencies further validating your US citizenship status with the federal and state governments.

* With your social security records updated showing you as a US citizen, it will be much easier in the future to apply for and receive all social security benefits entitled to you.

* If you ever have to replace your social security card, obtaining a new card will be easier now that you are a US citizen.

* Lastly, in some states, certain disability benefits are only available to US citizens. By changing your citizenship status with the Social Security Administration you will ensure you receive all disability, retirement and social security benefits for which you qualify as a US citizen.

You must report the change by completing Form SS-5 and by visiting your local Social Security Administration office in person. The change can be done by mail, but we do not recommend it. To find the office nearest you, see Office Locator.

When you visit the Social Security Administration office, you must bring proof of US citizenship such as your Certificate of Naturalization or your US passport and some other form of picture ID such as a driver’s license. You must also bring the completed Form SS-5 or you can just obtain the form there and complete it while you are waiting.

Your will be interviewed by the Social Security Administration office staff. They will verify your citizenship and then update your records. Updating your social security records will not result in a new social security card being issued to you unless there were restrictions on your old card. If you would like a new social security card, make a request for one during your interview with the office staff."

[hotairguy 0]

I went through the trouble of finding the exact spot where SS says what you should do but you seem dead set on your opinion which is fine, just wondering why you asked the question then.

This is my point. They say what you SHOULD do, not what you are legally REQUIRED to do. The government thinks you SHOULD do a lot of things. Why? Here's a hint: not necessarily because it is to your benefit. Government just wants to keep tabs on you and if you want to voluntarily help it control and manage your life, then by all means, go ahead.

What we've got here is...failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it. I don't like it any more than you.

I won't bother anymore.

Marilyn and Peter.

[churipu 4]

"Report Your Change in Citizenship to the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration requires any person who has a change in his or her immigration or citizenship status to report that change to the Social Security Administration (see Your Social Security Number And Card ).

Reporting this change is actually to the benefit of you, the new citizen. Why?

* The social security database will be updated showing you as a US citizen. This database is shared with all federal agencies and many state agencies further validating your US citizenship status with the federal and state governments.

* With your social security records updated showing you as a US citizen, it will be much easier in the future to apply for and receive all social security benefits entitled to you.

* If you ever have to replace your social security card, obtaining a new card will be easier now that you are a US citizen.

* Lastly, in some states, certain disability benefits are only available to US citizens. By changing your citizenship status with the Social Security Administration you will ensure you receive all disability, retirement and social security benefits for which you qualify as a US citizen.

You must report the change by completing Form SS-5 and by visiting your local Social Security Administration office in person. The change can be done by mail, but we do not recommend it. To find the office nearest you, see Office Locator.

When you visit the Social Security Administration office, you must bring proof of US citizenship such as your Certificate of Naturalization or your US passport and some other form of picture ID such as a driver’s license. You must also bring the completed Form SS-5 or you can just obtain the form there and complete it while you are waiting.

Your will be interviewed by the Social Security Administration office staff. They will verify your citizenship and then update your records. Updating your social security records will not result in a new social security card being issued to you unless there were restrictions on your old card. If you would like a new social security card, make a request for one during your interview with the office staff."

I just went through this in may...I was not interviewed by the staff, they just took the filled out form+Certificate of Naturalization+old card (no restrictions on it) from me and updated my status, no questions asked. Once they were done I was told the new one would be mailed to me in about a week (even though the one they took had no restrictions on it as mentioned above). I didn't ask for/was not asked if I wanted a new card, they simply told me I'd get a new one which I did about a week later. I know other people who recently became US citizens and it played out the same way for all of them at SS.

[NickD 203]

I don't see the big deal with the SS, but since we sent two passport photos to with the N-400, would be nice of the DOS would take the other one and plant it in a nice shiny new US passport book, hand to you, and say, welcome to the USA.