Federal Policy on Collecting and Using Social Security Numbers for Statistical Purposes

• Activity Number: 355
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
• Author(s): Rochelle (Shelly) W. Martinez*+ and John Barkhamer
• Companies: Office of Management and Budget and Office of Management and Budget
• Keywords: federal information policy ; social security number ; record linkage ; tracing operations

Abstract

Long-standing federal information policy has discouraged unnecessary use and retention of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) by federal agencies. In 2007, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget issued new policy requiring breach notification policies in all federal departments. Given the high risk of identity theft and other privacy invasions from SSN loss, in particular, the policy also required agencies to catalogue current use and retention of SSNs, and to develop a plan for reducing unnecessary use. Two primary uses of SSNs by federal statistical agencies are for record linkage, particularly of survey to administrative records data, as well as for respondent locating, particularly in longitudinal studies. Our paper will discuss the rationale behind the OMB policy, some statistical agency responses to date, and the potential changes that could be required under pending legislation.