Report to Congress on Options for Enhancing the Social Security Card

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION
LEGISLATIVE MANDATE
HISTORY OF THE SSN AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

CHAPTER II - THE NUMBER
THE EXPANSION OF THE SSN AS AN IDENTIFIER
HOW THE SSN IS USED
NATIONAL IDENTIFIER
PRIVACY ISSUES
EFFECTS OF SSN USE ON SSA
PROPOSALS FOR USE AND LIMITATION OF USE

CHAPTER III - THE CURRENT SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
DESCRIPTION
SECURITY FEATURES
CARD USAGE AND DURABILITY
TYPES OF CARDS ISSUED

CHAPTER IV - CURRENT APPLICATION/ISSUANCE PROCESS
ORIGINAL SSN
EVIDENCE DOCUMENTS
Breeder Documents
1996 Immigration Reform Requirements
ENUMERATION AT BIRTH (EAB)
REPLACEMENT CARDS
SSA PROCESSING

CHAPTER V - ENHANCED SOCIAL SECURITY CARD PROTOTYPE
DESIGN
Background
Approach to Card Design
Categories of Plastic Card Technology
Card Security Features
Linking the Number Holder to the Social Security Card
Issuance Process for Enhanced Social Security Cards
PROTOTYPE SOCIAL SECURITY CARD DESCRIPTIONS
General
Card Descriptions
Option 1--Flexible Plastic Social Security Card
Option 2--Plastic Card With Number Holder's Picture On Back
Option 3--Plastic Card With Secure Barcode Storage
Option 4--Plastic Card With Optical Memory Storage
Option 5--Financial Industry Standard Magnetic Stripe Card
Option 6--ID-Style Magnetic Stripe Card With Picture On Back
Option 7--Microprocessor Card With Picture and Magnetic Stripe
Summary of Card Prototype Options/Capabilities
Social Security Card Exhibits

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD REPLACEMENT COST ANALYSIS
Background
Estimating the Number of Living Number Holders
New Social Security Card Issuance Policy
Acquiring Addresses and Contacting Number Holders
Cost of Social Security Card Issuance
Additional Costs Related to New Cards
Cost Estimates for Issuing Prototype Social Security Cards
COST SUMMARY
Summary Table
Other Costs

CHAPTER VI - CARD AND ISSUANCE PROCESS ALTERNATIVES
INTRODUCTION
DRIVERS LICENSE
NO CARD

CHAPTER VII - FEASIBILITY OF A USER FEE FOR ENHANCED SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS
BACKGROUND
CURRENT ANALYSIS
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
FEE CHARGING IN CANADA 86

CONCLUSION

APPENDICES

TABLES

Table 1. Number (in millions) of New and Replacement Social Security Cards Issued--FY 1994-1996

Table 2. Summary of Social Security Card Prototype Options/Capabilities

Table 3. Summary of SSA's Enumeration Data Base

Table 4. Number Holders Who Must Prove Identity and Citizenship/Noncitizen Status

Table 5. Estimated Age of Number Holders

Table 6. Potential Social Security Card Issuance Workload Per SSA Field Office

Table 7. Estimated Correspondence Costs for Issuing New Social Security Cards

Table 8. Estimated Workyear Costs for Issuing New Social Security Cards to All Number Holders

Table 9. Estimated Costs of Social Security Card Stock

Table 10. Estimated Total Cost of Prototype Social Security Cards Including Card Personalization

Table 11. Equipment Needed for SSA FOs to Work With Enhanced Social Security Cards

Table 12. Estimated Cost of Social Security Card-Related Equipment

Table 13. Card Option 1 (and 1A)--Flexible Plastic Social Security Card--3-, 5-, and 10-Year Estimates

Table 14. Card Option 2--Plastic Card With Number Holder's Picture On Back--3-Year Estimate

Table 15. Card Option 2--Plastic Card With Number Holder's Picture On Back--5-Year Estimate

Table 16. Card Option 2--Plastic Card With Number Holder's Picture On Back--10-Year Estimate

Table 17. Card Option 3--Plastic Card With Secure Barcode Storage--3-Year Estimate

Table 18. Card Option 3--Plastic Card With Secure Barcode Storage--5-Year Estimate

Table 19. Card Option 3--Plastic Card With Secure Barcode Storage--10-Year Estimate

Table 20. Card Option 4--Plastic Card With Optical Memory Storage--3-Year Estimate

Table 21. Card Option 4--Plastic Card With Optical Memory Storage--5-Year Estimate

Table 22. Card Option 4--Plastic Card With Optical Memory Storage--10-Year Estimate

Table 23. Card Option 5--Financial Industry Standard Magnetic Stripe Card--3-Year Estimate

Table 24. Card Option 5--Financial Industry Standard Magnetic

Stripe Card--5-Year Estimate

Table 25. Card Option 5--Financial Industry Standard Magnetic Stripe Card--10-Year Estimate

Table 26. Card Option 6--ID-Style Magnetic Stripe Card With Picture On Back--3-Year Estimate

Table 27. Card Option 6--ID-Style Magnetic Stripe Card With Picture On Back--5-Year Estimate

Table 28. Card Option 6--ID-Style Magnetic Stripe Card With Picture On Back--10-Year Estimate

Table 29. Card Option 7--Microprocessor Card With Picture and Magnetic Stripe--3-Year Estimate

Table 30. Card Option 7--Microprocessor Card With Picture and Magnetic Stripe--5-Year Estimate

Table 31. Card Option 7--Microprocessor Card With Picture and Magnetic Stripe--10-Year Estimate

Table 32. Total Cost and Workyears--All Prototype Social Security Card Options

Table 33. Total Cost of Issuing Social Security Cards to all Number Holders, Including the Cost of a User Fee Process