About the Board

The Social Security Advisory Board is a bipartisan, independent federal government agency established in 1994 to advise the President, the Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security on matters of policy and administration of  the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income  programs. The Board has seven members, appointed by the President, Senate and House of Representatives.

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.