{"id":4363,"date":"2013-08-14T15:13:11","date_gmt":"2013-08-14T15:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=4363"},"modified":"2023-12-20T11:20:33","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T16:20:33","slug":"ssdi-quiz-understanding-the-u-s-social-security-death-index","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/ssdi-quiz-understanding-the-u-s-social-security-death-index.html","title":{"rendered":"SSDI Quiz: Understanding the U.S. Social Security Death Index"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>Introduction<\/em><\/strong><em>: In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak provides a fun quiz to see how well you know the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)\u2014and the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) it maintains, an important resource for genealogists. Mary uses old newspaper articles to learn more about the SSA and SSDI. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>One of the exciting features of GenealogyBank is the ability to search the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/explore\/ssdi\/all\">Social Security Death Index<\/a> (SSDI). This important genealogical database is updated by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">United States Social Security Administration (SSA)<\/a>. GenealogyBank\u2019s SSDI search page provides an easy way to access this data.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-search-page-fred-astaire.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4364\" title=\"genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-search-page-fred-astaire\" src=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-search-page-fred-astaire.png\" alt=\"screenshot of GenealogyBank's search page for the Social Security Death Index (SSDI)\" width=\"487\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-search-page-fred-astaire.png 487w, https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-search-page-fred-astaire-270x300.png 270w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not all the fields on the search page have to be filled in, and some of GenealogyBank\u2019s SSDI features are the ability to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>specify a specific date or a range for a decedent\u2019s birth and death<\/li>\n<li>specify by zip code or last known residence, or non-U.S. location<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Data from the U.S. SSDI is frequently misinterpreted. If you think you are well versed in the subject, try this handy Social Security Genealogy Quiz and then check your answers below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/ssdi-genealogy-quiz-genealogybank.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4365\" title=\"ssdi-genealogy-quiz-genealogybank\" src=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/ssdi-genealogy-quiz-genealogybank.png\" alt=\"Social Security Genealogy Quiz\" width=\"648\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/ssdi-genealogy-quiz-genealogybank.png 648w, https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/ssdi-genealogy-quiz-genealogybank-270x300.png 270w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>When did the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) system start?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on 14 August 1935, but taxes for the system were not collected until January of 1937. For more information about the history of the Social Security system in America, see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/history\/hfaq.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.ssa.gov\/history\/hfaq.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4366\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4366\" style=\"width: 207px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/san-diego-union-newspaper-0815-1935-roosevelt-social-security-act.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4366\" title=\"san-diego-union-newspaper-0815-1935-roosevelt-social-security-act\" src=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/san-diego-union-newspaper-0815-1935-roosevelt-social-security-act.png\" alt=\"Roosevelt Signs Security Act as Cameras Grind, San Diego Union newspaper article 15 August 1935\" width=\"207\" height=\"503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/san-diego-union-newspaper-0815-1935-roosevelt-social-security-act.png 207w, https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/san-diego-union-newspaper-0815-1935-roosevelt-social-security-act-123x300.png 123w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4366\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">San Diego Union (San Diego, California), 15 August 1935, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Who is covered by the Social Security program?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many groups are\/were exempt, including railroad workers, and certain employees of state and local governments and schools.<\/p>\n<p>The railroad workers are covered by the Railroad Retirement Program, and contribute a portion of their wages to both systems with a calculation adjustment done at retirement. It\u2019s a bit complicated, so please see U.S. Social Security Administration: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/policy\/docs\/ssb\/v68n2\/v68n2p41.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">An Overview of the Railroad Retirement Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to 1983, when Congress changed the law, various municipalities and other groups had opted out of the Social Security system. For example, the Texas counties of Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda opted out of the system prior to 1983, and are covered under an independent system. After 1984, municipalities who had not previously opted out of the system were required to be covered by the SSA, along with civilian federal employees.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does that include the President, Senators and Congressmen?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes. The SSA\u2019s Frequently Asked Questions website states:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll members of Congress, the President and Vice President, Federal judges, and most political appointees, were covered under the Social Security program starting in January 1984.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here we see the SSDI record for President Richard M. Nixon.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-richard-nixon.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4367\" title=\"genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-richard-nixon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-richard-nixon.png\" alt=\"Social Security Death Index (SSDI) record for President Richard M. Nixon\" width=\"755\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-richard-nixon.png 755w, https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-richard-nixon-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/genealogybank-0814-2013-ssdi-richard-nixon-417x300.png 417w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Is the SSDI\u2019s birth and death information reliable?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After 1974, proof was required to obtain a Social Security number (SSN). For persons who entered the system prior to that date, one should cross-reference birth dates with other records. Death dates are more reliable, as proof of death (such as a death certificate) has to be submitted in order to claim a death benefit.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4368\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4368\" style=\"width: 257px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/chicago-metro-news-newspaper-0706-1974-social-security-proof.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4368\" title=\"chicago-metro-news-newspaper-0706-1974-social-security-proof\" src=\"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/chicago-metro-news-newspaper-0706-1974-social-security-proof.png\" alt=\"Proof Now Required for Social Security, Chicago Metro News newspaper article 6 July 1974\" width=\"257\" height=\"508\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chicago Metro News (Chicago, Illinois), 6 July 1974, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Does the SSDI report the location where a person passed away?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No. It reports the last known place of residence, or the final address where Social Security benefits were sent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the three parts of a Social Security number (XXX-XX-XXXX)?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The three parts are, in order:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>the 3-digit area number (XXX),<\/li>\n<li>the 2-digit group number (XX)<\/li>\n<li>and the 4-digit serial number (XXXX).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The SSA maintains a table explaining the assignment of the numbers. For instance, Alabama was assigned numbers from 416-424, and Louisiana 433-439. However, the location doesn\u2019t necessarily indicate a residence, and could indicate a variety of locations\u2014ranging from where one applied for a card (not necessarily one\u2019s residence) to an office that processed the application.<\/p>\n<p>According to the document <em>Meaning of the Social Security Number<\/em> (Nov. 1982, Vol. 45, No. 11): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/policy\/docs\/ssb\/v45n11\/v45n11p29.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Table 1.&#8211;Assignment of area numbers by State<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUntil 1972, the area number indicated the location (state, territory, or possession) of the Social Security office that issued the number. When the numbering system was developed, one or more area numbers were allocated to each State based on the anticipated number of issuances in the State. Because an individual could apply for a SSN at any Social Security office, the area code did not necessarily indicate where the person lived or worked. Since 1972&#8230;[the] area code now indicates the person\u2019s State of residence as shown on the SSN application.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe group number has no special geographic or data significance. It is used to break the numbers into blocks of convenient size for SSA\u2019s processing operations and for controlling the assignments to the States.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe last four digits, the serial number, represent a numerical series from 0001-9999 within each group&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will the SSA run out of Social Security numbers (SSNs)?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is not known how many Social Security numbers have been issued. However, the nine-digit system allows for nearly one billion SSNs, so the current system has not run out of numbers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does the SSA reuse numbers?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No, although some people claim they do.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does GenealogyBank have the ability to make corrections in the SSDI?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No. The Social Security\u2019s Death Master File Data is supplied to publishers of the SSDI, so corrections have to be addressed with the U.S. SSA. GenealogyBank has no method to process updates to this government-supported system.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does the SSA have a smart phone app?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, although it does not include the Social Security Death Index.<\/p>\n<p>On 6 May 2013 Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c&#8230;the agency is offering a new mobile optimized website, specifically aimed at smartphone users across the country. People visiting the agency\u2019s website, www.socialsecurity.gov, via smartphone (Android, Blackberry, iPhone, and Windows devices) will be redirected to the agency\u2019s new mobile-friendly site. Once there, visitors can access a mobile version of Social Security\u2019s Frequently Asked Questions, an interactive Social Security number (SSN) decision tree to help people identify documents needed for a new\/replacement SSN card, and mobile publications which they can listen to in both English and Spanish right on their phone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For more information, see: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pressoffice\/pr\/ssa-mobile-pr.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pressoffice\/pr\/ssa-mobile-pr.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Note: if you experience issues with the SSA app on your smartphone, you can give Social Security a call (1-800-SSA-1213) to get help troubleshooting the issue.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Additional Social Security Resource for Genealogy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov\/app\/answers\/detail\/a_id\/118\/~\/acquiring-records-from-social-security-for-genealogical-research\">Acquiring Records from Social Security for Genealogical Research<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak provides a quiz about the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Social Security Death Index (SSDI).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":96605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12713],"tags":[4825,2719,4723,4733,1795,4727,4721,581,4728],"class_list":["post-4363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genealogy-research-tips","tag-genealogy-quizzes","tag-genealogy-search-tips","tag-social-security-act","tag-social-security-administration","tag-social-security-death-index","tag-social-security-numbers","tag-ssa","tag-ssdi","tag-ssn"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/illustration-0927-2019-featured-graphic-u.s.-social-security-administration.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4363"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":96607,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4363\/revisions\/96607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}