SSNs were never really intended for that purpose and there are a number of problems with using SSNs for that (SSNs have been and will be reused, for instance).<p>I can see a point in having an identification system that spans the country and is easy to use, but SSNs are not (and should not be) it. It&#x27;s also something unlikely to properly happen in the US due to the state&#x2F;federal powers separation. (Which is why we have the kludge of so many businesses using SSN for the purpose in the first place...)