Let’s say you’re Jane, born in 1960. Your SSN is 555-12-3456, but your Claim Number for retirement is 555-12-3456A. That “A” means you’re the boss of your own benefits. But if your husband, Bob, claims spousal benefits on your record, his Claim Number would be 555-12-3456B—making him a “B” for being a beneficiary. (And for being a Bob, I guess.)
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If you sadly pass away, and Bob claims survivor benefits, his number becomes 555-12-3456W, for widow. It’s a whole soap opera of digits. And Bob’s twin sister? She gets a different number entirely. Moral of the story: Don’t share your Claim Number—it’s personal, like your diary or your weird candy stash.
