Good one! Lots of parents arrange to get their children a Social Security card shortly after they are born. But not to worry, my friend! You can apply to receive a Social Security card at any time. You will definitely need one if you want to open a bank account in your name or even get a job. Maybe your mom and dad can arrange for you and your brother to get cards at the same time.

The number on the card is very important, so you will want to keep the card in a safe, secure place. The nine-digit number printed on the card is yours and yours alone. No one else in the country will have the same number as you do. It is private information and most people have no reason to know what your Social Security number is. In fact, to be extra careful, don't carry your card around in your wallet and don't show it to just anyone!

Social Security is a program started by the federal government back in 1935. It pulls money from people's checks when they work. When workers like your brother get their paychecks, there is a part of the check that shows their earnings and how much was kept out for FICA. That stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. The money is set aside and saved for the worker. When the worker gets old enough to retire, Social Security sends him checks in the mail that help him with his expenses to live. Other benefits help him if he is disabled or needs help to pay medical bills.

If you have more questions about Social Security, ask your parents or your teacher. The government's Internet website is www.ssa.gov. The Social Security Administration even has a special section just for kids. I wish your brother good luck on his first job, you should ask if he could get you a discount on desserts, ha ha ha.

Did You Know?

The very first Social Security card was issued in 1936 to a man named David Sweeney, Jr. who lived in New York. The number on the card wasn't 000-00-0001. It was 055-09-0001.