Skip to content
Social Security Online
      Questions?
SSA logo: link to Social Security Online home

Find An Answer to Your Question


Are you an employer? See answers to your W-2 Reporting questions.
 Answers 
 
Ask a Question
 
 My FAQ Update Notifications 
  hide accessible links  
  Help  
 
 Search by Category View Category Hierarchy
    
     Search Tips? 
   
    
  Answer ID  
1366

 Printer Friendly Version of This Answer  Print Answer

 Email This Answer  Email Answer
 
  What do the letters after a Social Security or Medicare number mean?
  Question
 

What do the letters after a Social Security or Medicare number mean?

  Answer
 

The codes following a Social Security number indicate the type of benefits you are entitled to. The Social Security number followed by one of these codes is often referred to as a claim number and they are only assigned once you apply for benefits.   These letter codes may appear on correspondence that you receive from Social Security or on your Medicare card.  They will never appear on a Social Security number card.

For example, if the Social Security of the wage earner number is 123-45-6789, then once you apply for retirement benefits, your claim number is 123-45-6789A. This number will also be used as your Medicare claim number, once you are eligible for Medicare. 

Code 

Identification

A

Primary claimant (wage earner)

B

Aged wife, age 62 or over

B1

Aged husband, age 62 or over

B2

Young wife, with a child in her care

B3

Aged wife, age 62 or over, second claimant

B5

Young wife, with a child in her care, second claimant

B6 Divorced wife, age 62 or over
BY Young husband, with a child in his care

C1-C9

Child - Includes minor, student or disabled child

D

Aged Widow, age 60 or over

D1

Aged widower, age 60 or over

D2 Aged widow (2nd claimant)
D3
Aged widower (2nd claimant)

D6

Surviving Divorced Wife

E

Widowed Mother

E1

Surviving Divorced Mother

E4

Widowed Father

E5

Surviving Divorced Father

F1

Father

F2

Mother

F3

Stepfather

F4

Stepmother

F5

Adopting Father

F6

Adopting Mother

HA Disabled claimant (wage earner)
HB

Aged wife of disabled claimant, age 62 or over

M

Uninsured – Premium Health Insurance Benefits (Part A)

M1

Uninsured - Qualified for but refused Health Insurance Benefits (Part A)

T

Uninsured - Entitled to HIB (Part A) under deemed or renal provisions; or Fully insured who have elected entitlement only to HIB

TA Medicare Qualified Government Employment (MQGE)
TB MQGE aged spouse

W

Disabled Widow

W1

Disabled Widower

W6

Disabled Surviving Divorced Wife

NOTE: This list is not complete, but shows the most common beneficiary codes.   


 
 
 
  
 
  Answers others found helpful
 
 
  Users who viewed this answer have also viewed
 
Search for Another Answer
  Search for Another Answer  

Privacy Policy | Website Policies & Other Important Information | Site Map         Need Larger Text?