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Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security

Michael J. Astrue was sworn in as Commissioner of Social Security on February 12, 2007.  He will serve a six-year term that expires on January 19, 2013.

As head of the Social Security Administration, Astrue has responsibility for administering the Social Security programs (retirement, survivors and disability), as well as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Social Security provides financial protection to more than 160 million workers and their families, and pays approximately $580 billion annually in benefits to more than 49 million Americans who receive monthly Social Security retirement, disability or survivors benefits.  The SSI program pays monthly benefits to more than 7 million Americans who have little or no resources and who are aged, blind or disabled.

The Social Security Administration is an independent federal agency headquartered in suburban Baltimore with a national workforce of about 62,000 employees and 1,500 facilities nationwide.

Astrue was nominated by President George W. Bush on September 14, 2006, and confirmed by the United States Senate on February 2, 2007.

Commissioner Astrue has a distinguished history of public service.  He is a former employee of the Social Security Administration, having served as Counselor to the Commissioner.  He served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Legislation.  Astrue also served briefly as Associate Counsel to the President of the United States during parts of both the Reagan and Bush administrations.  Before becoming Commissioner, he also served as a senior executive of several biotechnology companies.

Born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and a resident of Belmont, Massachusetts, Commissioner Astrue received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his J.D. from Harvard University.  He and his wife Laura have two children.

You can write to the Commissioner at the address below:

Michael J. Astrue
Commissioner Social Security Administration
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235-0001