The social security service issues the "SScard" and the "SS#" (social security number). Like the driver's license number, the social security number is the other most common form of numerical identification used by American citizens. This system allows people to deposit money from their earnings on a long term basis and regardless of how many times they change jobs. The social security system in the USA is considered by some to be in a state of impending crisis mainly due to the following factors. First, the population is unevenly distributed by age, and so during the next 20 years there will be more people eligible to claim money from SS than there will be people paying into it. Inflation is another reason, and the necessity of changing SS benefits to being just one part of a retirement financial plan instead of a mainstay. Those on nonimmigrant visas have no claim to social security benefits and may need to save up towards their retirement in ways that offset their losses to social security earnings. It will be a point of political and social interest to see how America handles this crisis.

Benefits (unemployed, retired, disabled, etc.)

In order to have access to any unemployment benefits in the USA you must hold one job for a minimum time period, usually at least a year, and you must have lost the job through no fault of your own. To claim these benefits you will need to go to the state agency that you reside in. Normally, unemployment benefit payments consist of a percentage of the wages you earned in the job you held (usually 40-50%). Social security benefits are normally distributed at retirement.

Eligibility/entitlement

Social security benefits are only available to Greencard holders and American citizens.

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