Turned 26 in January. Purchased Anthem medical insurance so I don't get penalized by Obamacare. Surprised how expensive it is, but bit my tongue and continue. Anthem gets hacked. My Name + SSN is probably somewhere it shouldn't be; ugh.
You are required to give your SSN if accepting the Obamacare subsidy, look for it in the "fine print," which doesn't come close to meeting the intent of the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579). Unfortunately, the Obamacare subsidy is a form of government assistance. The healthcare.gov operation is a joint venture between the government and non-government entities. If you are personally paying for your coverage, you "voluntarily" gave it to them when you filled out their application. I personally haven't been known to any insurance company, especially health and life, by my SSN since 1979! Remember, they can't lose (or be hacked out of) misplace, abuse or misuse what they don't have. All government agencies (but not anyone else) are required to follow the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 and it's requirements prior to you disclosing your SSN to them. Unless someone is paying you a salary, wages or interest don't give up your SSN! Don't ever give up your SSN and accept a lifetime of liability and potential ID theft for some else's 3 seconds of convenience. You are not numbered like a head of livestock. Stand your ground and take your business elsewhere when dealing with a non-government entity who insists on having your SSN! Information travels in one direction and you're not going to get it back.
