6 Tax Tips After a Major Life Change

Reader Comments
Back to blog

This article provides incorrect information. It is not correct that when you change your legal name then you get a new Social Security number. Your SSN remains the same for your entire life. What I am guessing the author meant to say is that when you change your legal name then you need to report that name change to the Social Security Administration.
This information may be verified at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10127.html#3

N. Cook of MN 1:43AM March 13, 2011

When I married I contacted the social security to notify them that my name had changed. I did get a new social security number, but that was incorrect. My old social security number was updated with the new name. Why would you have two different social security numbers? Think about it, you will have to keep track of two numbers through out your life. Just imagine the screws up in accounting for various jobs, salaries, benefits, that the social security administration would have to keep track of!

prb of MD 8:03PM March 10, 2011