Posted by Jay M. Fuller on December 10, 1997 at 17:12:17:
In Reply to: "Religious Objector" Response Letter from SSA posted by The Free Marketeer on September 15, 1997 at 05:41:49:
Enclosed is the text version and a copy of the actual document we received from the Social Security Administration after we revoked the signature on our social security applications. Along with the revocation, we demanded evidence of law requiring us to obtain and maintain a social security number (as per 5 U.S.C. 552).
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SOCIAL SECURITY
December 4, 1997
Ms. Carol G. Fuller
442 West Pacific Drive #1
American Fork, Utah 84003
Dear Ms. Fuller:
This is in response to your correspondence about the Social Security program. People cannot voluntarily end their participation in the program. The payment of Social Security taxes is mandatory, regardless of the citizenship or place of residence of either the employer or the employee. Unless specifically exempt by law, everyone working in the United States is required to pay Social Security taxes.
Similarly, people cannot withdraw the Social Security taxes that they have already paid. Social Security taxes paid by employees and employers are not placed in individual accounts, but are pooled to pay benefits to eligible workers and their families. Benefits are paid only on the basis of a voluntary application.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is required by law (at section 205 of the Social Security Act) to maintain records of workers' earnings and to establish any other records necessary to carry out our responsibilities under the Social Security Act. Because many people have the same name, or change their name, a reliable and permanent system was needed to distinguish one individual from another in our records. The Social Security account number system was established to meet that need.
The constitutionality of the Social Security system, as established by the Social Security Act, and mandatory individual participation have already been decided by the Supreme Court. We will not respond further to your correspondence about voluntary participation in the Social Security program or the withdrawal of Social Security taxes.
The Internal Revenue Service has jurisdiction over the issue of liability for Social Security taxes; the Immigration and Naturalization Service has jurisdiction over the issue of citizenship. If you have questions about either of these subjects, you should contact one of those Agencies.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Charles H. Mullen
Associate Commissioner
Office of Public Inquiries
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