Issue Brief #4 Statement on the Supplemental Security Income Program: A Look Back at the Last 10 Years, May 2009

In this Statement we will examine SSA’s accomplishments in payment accuracy, continuing disability reviews, combating program fraud, and improving debt collection over the last 10 years; look at where the program is today; and make some recommendations for continued improvement.

Pre-Publication Release: The Social Security Statement: How It Can Be Improved

The Social Security Statement is one of the chief vehicles that SSA has for communicating with the public, making it imperative that the information provided on the Statement is objective and presented clearly, accurately, and understandably. The information provided on the Statement also plays a significant role in educating the American public about the program and its benefits. In this report, the Social Security Advisory Board examines the current Statement and suggests ways that it could be improved.

Chairman Sylvester J. Schieber's Testimony to the Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means April 28, 2009

REPORT: Bridging the Gap: Improving SSA's Public Service through Technology

The American public relies on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to deliver its services in a timely and effective fashion. Long-established as a community-based agency, face-to-face contact is the hallmark and the primary means of delivering service. But increasingly, SSA has turned to a variety of technologies—including telephone service, the internet, and videoconferencing—to serve its customers. This report examines the challenges confronting SSA as it moves forward with developing expanded electronic services.

Issue Brief Series Disability Programs in the 21st Century: Substantial Gainful Activity April 2009

The Disability Insurance program was enacted more than a half a century ago, and the Supplemental Security Income program was enacted more than 35 years ago. Our economy and our society have changed in many ways, and the programs have not changed to keep pace with the world we now live in. The Social Security Advisory Board has begun a review of several aspects of these disability programs, and we will publish our observations and findings in this special Issue Brief series.

REPORT: Working for Retirement Security

Longer life spans and other demographic changes are making it increasingly expensive to finance adequate retirement income. This September 2008 report examines these demographic changes and proposes solutions to ameliorate the projected decline in national labor force growth and add to national income by extending individual working lives.

Challenges Facing the Social Security Administration: Present and Future-Report to the President-Elect Transition Team
December 16, 2008

Address of Sylvester J. Schieber to the 2008 NADE National Conference
September 18, 2008

Chairman Sylvester J. Schieber's Testimony to the Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means
September 16, 2008

Chairman Sylvester J. Schieber's Testimony before the United States House Ways and Means Committee on Social Security Disability Backlogs Apr. 23, 2008

Forum: Working Toward Retirement Security: Policies to Help Extend the Working Life of Older Americans

PRESENTATION MATERIALS

Forum held Friday, January 18, 2008 Sponsored by the Social Security Advisory Board and the University of Illinois Center for Business and Public Policy.

REPORT: 2007 Technical Panel on Assumptions and Methods

Issue Brief: Office of Personnel Management's Role in Hiring Administrative Law Judges

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in 1946 established the position of administrative law judge (ALJ). It included provisions designed to ensure the ALJs? impartiality by insulating them from improper pressure.