Secetary of state license information/ social security card?

I went to renew my drivers license and now they are requiring a social security card. I thought your ss card was only for tax purposes. I feel they don't have the right to that information. Is this a new policy and do I have to give them this kind of personal information.

I am in the state of michigan

When the social security cards were first issued, they contained a phrase declaring that they were not to be used for identification purposes. Those against the social security establishment argued at the time that the social security card would eventually become some kind of national citizen ID card, similar to papers that were being required of jewish citizens of Germany during the mid 1930s (when social security first came into being). Lo and behold, you are now faced with just one of the realities of living in the Administrative State of the U.S. The SSN is a citizen ID and it is being used in precisely the way that it was never intended to be used. Look for its use to become even more widespread in the very near future.

What state is that? I remember LA used to print it on the card, and they don't do that anymore. I'm in CA now and I'm pretty sure you have to give it, but it's just for their internal records. I don't mind doing that because so many people have the same exact name, how else do you differentiate? Thinking it is only for tax purposes is getting to be an antiquated theory. I remember when it was my student ID number in college, and who knows what else. (grades were posted by number! - imagine that today) Think about it: if your name is John Michael Smith and there are 10,000 of them in this country, how does anyone know which one is really you if they don't have a distinguishing number to use as backup? Plus there is an effort in some states to prohibit illegal aliens from becoming licensed. Banks, employers, creditors, lots of entities kinda need it these days to make sure who you are.

Yes. The regulations were amended to allow government agencies to require a social security number (or in some cases another proof of citizenship/legal residency acceptable to them).

But be aware that you are not legally required to divulge your social security number to such entities as utilities, landlords, merchants, service providers, etc. Smart people will either refuse to give their number, or (to avoid unnecessary heartache) simply make up one. The entities mentioned above cannot check if the number is valid as the Social Security Administration will not divulge that information.

You must give your social security number in the following instances:
1. Anything to do with the SSA.
2. Banks
3. Employment
4. IRS
5. Military
6. Dept. of State (passport) (maybe this is not a full requirement...check it)
7. Certain government agencies (DMV being one)
8. Court order or proceeding which demands it.