SSN
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Social Security number |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Government & Politics, Military |
SSN has two meanings. It stands for Social Security number (public program) or Nuclear-powered attack submarine (naval ship).
Meanings of SSN at a glance
| # | SSN stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Security number | Government & Politics › Public Program |
| 2 | Nuclear-powered attack submarine | Military › Naval Ship |
1. Social Security number
Government & Politics · Public Program Abbreviations
Nine-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration to track a person's earnings and benefits, now used widely as an identifier for taxes, credit, employment and government programs. Most Americans receive one at birth through the hospital.
Example: Never give your SSN to someone who calls you unexpectedly claiming to be from a bank.
Numbers were first issued in 1936. Since 2011 the SSA has assigned them randomly; earlier, the first three digits indicated the state where the number was issued. Because SSNs were never designed as passwords, their use for identity verification has made them central to identity theft. Noncitizens without work authorization may use an ITIN for taxes.
2. Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Military · Naval Ship Abbreviations
US Navy hull symbol for nuclear-powered attack submarines, which hunt submarines and ships, fire Tomahawk missiles and gather intelligence. Current classes are Los Angeles, Seawolf and Virginia.
Example: The SSN surfaced near the North Pole during the Arctic exercise.
SS has long designated submarines and N nuclear power. USS Nautilus (SSN-571), commissioned in 1954, was the first nuclear-powered submarine. In civilian life, SSN almost always means Social Security number, so context is essential.
Related abbreviations
More public program abbreviations
- SGA – Substantial gainful activity
- SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance
- SSI – Supplemental Security Income
- TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- TARP – Troubled Asset Relief Program
- TEFAP – The Emergency Food Assistance Program
- TPS – Temporary Protected Status
See all 65 public program abbreviations →