The only problem I can envision of not requiring ALL SSI cardholders to participate is this; suppose I'm to be gainfully employed for the next fifteen years, someone else has my SSI# and fraudulently acquires one of the newer cards, then I need to apply for a new one because I've had a career change. Then what? Either all SSI participants need to be carded for security reasons or the program will have problems....but that's hypothetical.
No, this isn't a national ID - it's a SSI card to be developed with anti-theft measures one may currently similarly obtain with some credit cards.
I'm for the SSI card change and will get mine as soon as it's enacted because, whether I like it or not, the SS# is used in almost every major transaction and this extra security measure just makes common sense. With the financial and personal data off-shoring craze happening today, and those industries dealing with companies who are not subject to US courts' jurisdiction, the new SS card makes even better sense.
It's a broken system as is our immigration system. Only goin back and starting all over will we ever get a handle on it. I'm willing for our fed govt. to pay the expense but I doubt the majority of Americans will.