We realize it may be a stretch for ordinary people to want to keep up with the comings and goings of the Social Security Administration, but sometimes circumstances permit where someone does want to follow the latest news regarding the agency due to a possible retirement or disability interest. This blog is an ongoing piecemeal of recent stories that have involved Social Security. Some are tidbits and some are important things that should be known in the world of retirement or disability and others are just interesting stories and nothing more.
Employee Numbers Continue to Decline at Social Security
For literally decades the Social Security Administration has been underfunded and understaffed, which can in-part explain the lack of customer service at the agency, but if the current trend where the agency has less employees each month has continued steadily over the last year and should be reason for concern. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently released its updated employee number for Social Security showing a steady decline since December 2021. The employee headcount at Social Security was 57,754 in September 2022 compared to 60,422. There is no question the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many things, including the amount of business Social Security conducts, but no that closures and lockdowns have been lifted you would expect Social Security business to pick-up, which it has, but employee numbers have not kept up with the amount of business the agency conduct. When understaffed, customer service expectedly declines, so the thin staffing levels at the agency will continue to disrupt Social Security’s ability to provide service.
Biggs and Lewis Renominated to Social Security Advisory Board
President Joe Biden recently renominated two members of the Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB). Last year Biden nominated both Andrew Biggs and Sharon Lewis to the Board, but both nominations were returned to Biden due to U.S. Senate rules, according to a new release from the SSAB. Biggs is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and a former deputy commissioner at Social Security. Lewis is a principal at Health Care Management Associates and previously worked at the Department of Health and Human Services. If confirmed, Biggs would serve through September of 2024 and Lewis would service through September of 2028.
