All articles tagged with #social security administration
The Social Security Administration will distribute SSI payments of up to $967 to around 7.5 million individuals in December 2025, with payments scheduled on December 1 and December 31 due to holidays, and eligibility is based on income and resources rather than contributions.
Frank Bisignano has been appointed as the CEO of the IRS, a newly created position, while continuing his role as Social Security Administration Commissioner, raising concerns about leadership conflicts and oversight among advocates and officials.
Frank Bisignano, the Social Security Administration Commissioner, has been appointed as the CEO of the IRS, a newly created role, while continuing his SSA duties, raising concerns among advocates about potential conflicts and leadership gaps at the agencies amid ongoing leadership changes in the Trump administration.
The chief data officer of the Social Security Administration resigned after filing a whistleblower complaint alleging that government employees uploaded sensitive Social Security data to a vulnerable cloud environment, which the SSA denies. Borges claimed retaliation and a hostile work environment, and his resignation was described as a constructive discharge amid ongoing privacy and security concerns.
Former President Donald Trump has selected Frank Bisignano to head the Social Security Administration, marking a significant leadership change in the agency responsible for managing social security benefits in the United States.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano, CEO of Fiserv Inc., to lead the Social Security Administration, highlighting Bisignano's business leadership and transformative track record.
The Social Security Administration is requiring users who created a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, to switch to a Login.gov or ID.me account to continue accessing their information. This transition aims to simplify secure sign-ins and reduce wait times for customer service. Approximately 46 million out of 86 million account holders need to make this switch, though no final deadline has been set. Existing Login.gov or ID.me users do not need to take any action.
The Social Security Administration has announced a significant change in its overpayment recovery policy, reducing the amount beneficiaries must pay back. Instead of automatically withholding 100% of overpaid amounts, the agency will now collect 10% or $10, whichever is greater, from recipients' monthly benefits. Exceptions will be made for cases involving fraud. This change aims to make the overpayment policies fair and equitable, addressing concerns about recipients facing financial hardship. Additionally, the agency is reviewing its procedures and policies following criticism and reports of deficiencies in internal controls regarding overpayments.
Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley has unveiled a new plan to address overpayment issues, including reducing the default withholding rate from 100% to 10% for beneficiaries who do not respond to repayment notices, shifting the burden of proof away from claimants, extending repayment plan timeframes, and making it easier for beneficiaries to request waivers. O'Malley also highlighted plans to address long wait times for service and a backlog in disability benefit applications, calling for additional funding from Congress to address the agency's customer service crisis.
Due to a scheduling quirk, some Americans will receive two Social Security payments this week, with roughly 7.4 million SSI recipients getting their March payments early on March 1. This is not extra money, but an early payment for the following month. Many retirees are struggling financially due to high inflation, with concerns over rising costs for necessities like food, rent, and medical care. The modest 3.2% cost-of-living increase this year has left many dissatisfied, leading some to consider seeking employment.
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has been confirmed as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, ending a two-year leadership drought. O'Malley's appointment comes after President Biden ousted Trump appointee Andrew Saul from the post in 2021. The agency has faced challenges such as long wait times, a backlog of disability determinations, and chronic underfunding. O'Malley aims to modernize the organization, improve collaboration, and enhance efficiency. Despite initial Republican opposition, O'Malley received support from three Republican senators. He plans to prioritize the needs of beneficiaries and the agency's workforce.
Rep. Lauren Boebert faced criticism from an executive counselor for the Social Security Administration (SSA) during a House Oversight Committee hearing. Boebert accused the SSA of allowing "delinquent employees to sit on their sofas at home" instead of working, but the counselor explained that employees' performances are monitored and they are required to be accessible during work hours. Boebert further questioned the increase in backlogs for Social Security applicants, to which the counselor attributed to historical underfunding and low staffing levels.
During a hearing on post-pandemic telework policies, Rep. Lauren Boebert clashed with Oren "Hank" McKnelly, an executive counselor at the Social Security Administration, over funding and work-from-home policies. Boebert accused employees of being "delinquent" and not doing their jobs, to which McKnelly defended their efficiency and explained the monitoring systems in place. When Boebert questioned the increase in backlogs for Social Security applicants, McKnelly attributed it to historical underfunding and a lack of staff to handle the increasing workloads.
The Social Security Administration has released the payment dates for Social Security checks in December 2023. SSI beneficiaries will receive their payment on December 29, which will reflect the increased rate based on the cost of living adjustment. Other beneficiaries will receive their payments on December 1, 13, 20, 27, depending on their date of birth or when they started receiving payments before May 1997.
A new book highlights common mistakes made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that could cost beneficiaries. One common mistake is retirees claiming benefits at the minimum retirement age of 62, which can reduce monthly checks by up to 30%. Waiting until the full retirement age of 67 or even age 70 can result in higher payments. Overpayment is another issue, affecting over a million Americans annually. Keeping detailed records of interactions with the SSA can help avoid overpayment problems. The earnings test can also impact benefits, with workers losing $1 for every $2 earned above the threshold. However, benefits can be restored once full retirement age is reached. Lastly, widowed individuals receiving survivor's benefits may have to give back payments if they become eligible for their own SSA payments.