Astrue And Fichtner Nominated For Social Security Advisory Board

     The President has nominated former Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue and Jason Fichtner to become members of the Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB). Astrue is well known to readers of this blog. Fichtner recently called for increasing Social Security's full retirement age and cutting cost of living adjustments as well as an increase in the F.I.C.A. tax the supports Social Security's trust funds.

     The SSAB has no direct role in the management of the Social Security Administration and only limited influence. SSAB members often testify at Congressional hearings on Social Security matters but, again, their influence is limited.