About SSAB
About the Board
The Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 (Public Law No. 103-296) established a bipartisan Social Security Advisory Board composed of seven Board members appointed by Congress and the White House. Supported by a small professional staff, the Board provides advice and recommendations to the President, Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security on matters related to the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs and policies.
Functions of the Board
- Analyzing the Nation’s retirement and disability systems and making recommendations with respect to how the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the supplemental security income program, supported by other public and private systems, can most effectively assure economic security;
- Studying and making recommendations relating to the coordination of programs that provide health security with social security programs;
- Making recommendations to the President and to the Congress with respect to policies that will ensure the solvency of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program, both in the short-term and the long-term;
- Making recommendations with respect to the quality of service that the Administration provides to the public;
- Making recommendations with respect to policies and regulations regarding the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the supplemental security income program;
- Increasing public understanding of the social security system;
- Making recommendations with respect to a long-range research and program evaluation plan for the Administration;
- Reviewing and assessing any major studies of social security as may come to the attention of the Board;
- Making recommendations with respect to such other matters as the Board determines to be appropriate.