Summary

In response to a congressional request, GAO conducted a limited review of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Systems Modernization Plan (SMP).

GAO found that, by the end of projected 5-year implementation period for the SMP, SSA can be expected to make major improvements in its automated systems through using modern automatic data processing technology. However, it will probably take at least 7 to 10 years or longer to fully implement all of the improvements contained in the SMP, and this will require the provision of needed funds for each year of the SMP implementation.