Can I refuse to give my Social Security number?
Asked by: Callie Cummerata | Last update: January 19, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (12 votes)
Can I refuse to give my Social Security number to a private business? Anyone can refuse to disclose his or her number, but the requester can refuse its services if you do not give it.
Who has the legal right to ask for your Social Security number?
Who has the right to request your SSN? Federal law mandates that state Departments of Motor Vehicles, tax authorities, welfare offices, and other governmental agencies request your SS number as proof that you are who you claim to be.
Can I refuse to give my SSN to my employer?
If the employee doesn't want to provide the SSN, you cannot legally hire them. The IRS mandates that you must obtain that information.
When should you not give out your Social Security number?
Most of the time, it's OK to say no to schools, doctor's offices, sports clubs and many other organizations that may ask for this nine-digit identifier. In fact, safeguarding SSNs is a key first step to protecting against identity theft and other fraud.
Can you opt out of Social Security number?
People generally cannot voluntarily withdraw or stop participating in the Social Security program. You must pay Social Security taxes, regardless of you or your employer's citizenship or place of residence.
Can I refuse to give my Social Security number?
Can I refuse my Social Security number?
Anyone can refuse to disclose his or her number, but the requester can refuse its services if you do not give it.
What happens if I opt out of Social Security?
If you opt out, you may need to purchase a potentially expensive life insurance policy to provide comparable benefits. So saving some taxes means taking on a lot of risk. And even if you opt out, you'd still need to pay Social Security taxes on income earned from secular employment.
Can you refuse Social Security?
If you apply for benefits and we have not yet determined that you are entitled, you may voluntarily suspend benefits for any month you have not received a payment. If you are already entitled to benefits, you may voluntarily suspend retirement benefit payments up to age 70.
Can I sue my employer for giving out my social security number?
Bringing a Lawsuit Against the Employer
As such, California employees who suffer privacy violations are entitled to file a civil lawsuit in an attempt to gain the following forms of compensation: Lost wages or back pay, in the event they quit or are fired from their job.
Are Social Security numbers mandatory?
Although many companies, such as banks and credit companies, may ask for your SSN, you generally aren't required to provide one if you don't have one.
Is it illegal to work in the US without a SSN?
You need an SSN to get a job, collect Social Security benefits, and receive certain government services. Your employer will ask for your SSN to report your wages. Although many other businesses, such as banks and credit companies, also ask for your number, you aren't required to provide it.
Who actually needs your SSN?
Many organizations including businesses, government agencies, medical facilities and educational institutions continue to use the SSN as the primary identifier for their record keeping systems.
Can employers opt out of Social Security?
Companies which chose to deploy their own company pension systems could then opt-out of Social Security as long as the kept their system in operation. If at any time they decided to abandon their private system, they could opt back in.
Do I have to give my employer my Social Security number?
Employers often request Social Security numbers for background or credit checks, but they are advised to do so only when absolutely necessary, and some states require additional privacy safeguards.
Can I sue someone for posting my Social Security number?
While it's possible to sue someone for improperly sharing your SSN, the success of the lawsuit would depend on factors such as the intent behind the disclosure, the harm caused, and the specific laws that were violated.
How much does it cost to change your Social Security number?
Social Security Number Services are Always Free.
Can an employee refuse to provide SSN?
IRS regulations say that the refusal of an employee to provide his or her SSN to the employer is an event beyond the employer's control, and that, to act “in a responsible manner”, you have to ask for the SSN, and tell the employee that the IRS can fine her if she persists in her refusal.
How do I lock my Social Security number?
You can call the SSA to lock your SSN. Contact them at 1-800-772-1213, and make sure you have additional proof of your identity when you speak to them. Additional forms of identification could include a driver's license or passport.
Can my employer see my SSN?
The IRS says that employers must obtain the name and Social Security number for each employee and enter them on the employee's Form W-2. According to the IRS, “You should ask the employee to show you his or her Social Security card.”
What happens if I refuse to give my Social Security number?
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration's website: Anyone can refuse to disclose his or her number, but the requester can refuse its services if you do not give it.
How do I opt out of Social Security legally?
To request an exemption from Social Security taxes, get Form 4029—Application for Exemption From Social Security and Medicare Taxes and Waiver of Benefits from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Then, file the form with the Social Security Administration (address is on the form).
Who should I give my Social Security number to?
Though it's important to protect your Social Security number, there are legitimate reasons for sharing those nine digits. "Any company that you're applying to for a loan or line of credit needs your number," Paige Hanson, cyber safety education chief at NortonLifeLock, said in an interview.
Can I decline Social Security?
Unexpected life changes may occur after you apply for Social Security retirement benefits. If you change your mind about starting your benefits, you can cancel your application for up to 12 months after you became entitled to retirement benefits. This process is called a withdrawal. You can reapply later.
Can I get rid of my SSN?
SSA assigns SSNs to individuals when an application has been filed to request the assignment of a number. SSA does not delete, destroy, rescind, inactivate, or cancel SSNs once they are assigned.
How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?
Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.