These regulations reflect and implement amendments to the Social Security Act (the Act) made by part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). Section 7213(a)(1)(A) of the IRTPA requires that we limit individuals to three replacement SSN cards per year and ten replacement SSN cards during a lifetime. The provision permits us to allow for reasonable exceptions from these limits on a case-by-case basis in compelling circumstances. This provision also helps us to further strengthen the security and integrity of the SSN issuance process. The limits on replacement SSN cards will be established prospectively, effective no later than December 17, 2005, regardless of the date we issue final rules in the Federal Register.