What Data Do You Want Social Security To Release?

The White House has just released a new "Open Government Directive." Complying with this directive will require a major effort at all federal agencies, including Social Security. The entire directive is worth reading, but here are a couple of short excerpts that sets a very specific goal for each agency:

Within 45 days, each agency shall identify and publish online in an open format at least three high-value data sets ... These must be data sets not previously available online or in a downloadable format. ...

High-value information is information that can be used to increase agency accountability and responsiveness; improve public knowledge of the agency and its operations; further the core mission of the agency; create economic opportunity; or respond to need and demand as identified through public consultation.

What "high-value" data would you like for Social Security to release? Remember, Social Security is supposed to consult with the public about what is to be released. What you post here could actually make a difference.

SSA Wants Contractor To Screen ALJ Applicants

From a posting made on FedBizOpps.gov, where federal agencies must post notices of contracting opportunities:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to issue an unrestricted solicitation to obtain the services of one experienced company to perform telephone background screenings on potential candidates that could serve as Administrative Law Judges for the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). The contractor shall provide staff experienced in conducting background screening of mid- to senior level attorneys (comparable to 6^th year associates and above, partners, judges, general counsel, associate general counsel positions, U.S. Attorneys, etc.) Only experience U.S. based telephone interviewers (including Alaska and Hawaii) who speak English clearly may be used.

Social Security Fix-It Book

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College has released its most recent edition of the Social Security Fix-It Book, a graphic laden guide to how to deal with Social Security's long term financing issues. Unfortunately, I have to say that this book has a tilted take on the problem. The option of completely removing the cap on earnings covered by the FICA tax is not even mentioned, even though that is probably the method most favored on the left. Individual accounts, which are favored on the right, are discussed, but the book says that "the effect [on the shortfall] is indirect and unclear." That is false. Add-on individual accounts do nothing about the long term shortfall. Carve-out individual accounts make the problem worse.

Walking Out Empty-Handed

From the News Journal of Delaware:

Every year, more than 1,000 people tell their stories of ailments, impairments and shortened careers to a Social Security judge in Dover, hoping to win their claim for disability benefits.

Many who walk out empty-handed share one thing in common: Judith A. Showalter, the administrative law judge who denied their claim....

In fiscal years 2005 through 2008, the most recent years for which data are available, Showalter denied 56 percent of the cases she heard, twice the national average of 28 percent, Social Security figures show.

Claimants under age 50 face even tougher odds with Showalter. From 2005 through 2008, Showalter denied 70 percent of their cases, compared to a national average of 32.5 percent, agency data show.

Showalter's record was a big reason the Dover hearing office had the eighth-highest denial rate -- 44 percent -- among 141 offices nationwide

Fed Chairman Calls For Social Security Cuts

From Huffington Post:

Ben Bernanke [Chairman of the Federal Reserve] has overseen the greatest expansion of the Federal Reserve's balance sheet in its history, pouring trillions of dollars into Wall Street firms at roughly zero interest rates.

His generosity, however, has a limit.

In testimony before the Senate Banking Committee today, where he's seeking re-appointment as the Fed's chairman, Bernanke called for cutbacks in Medicare and Social Security ...

Bernanke reminded Congress that it has the power to repeal Social Security and Medicare.

"It's only mandatory until Congress says it's not mandatory. And we have no option but to address those costs at some point or else we will have an unsustainable situation," said Bernanke.

Social Security Offices To Be Closed Christmas Eve

From Commissioner Astrue to Social Security employees:

A Message To All SSA Employees

Subject: Leave on December 24th

This has been an unbelievably challenging, yet remarkable, year for us. I am keenly aware of the impact that the nation's current economic situation has had on our workloads. Once again, you have stepped up to this challenge and continue to set the standard for public servants. In appreciation for your hard work and dedication, on December 24, 2009, I am excusing employees from work and closing all Social Security Administration offices for normal business. The excused absence will be handled in accordance with existing policy and applicable negotiated agreements. The Office of Personnel will issue detailed guidance to managers and timekeepers.

I am grateful for the work that you do and for your accomplishments. Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done and the additional time to be with your family and friends during this holiday season.

Michael J. Astrue
Commissioner

ODAR Deputy Commissioner Broadcast

Here is a copy of the December 3, 2009 Office of Disability Adjudication and Review Deputy Commissioner Broadcast. Click on each page to see it full size. A few highlights:

• This past month, we reduced the disability backlog by 3,399 cases, putting us at 8,337 below the FY 2010 opening pending of 722,822. We have now reduced the disability backlog 11 months in a row. We are fortunate, however, that receipts have been well below the projections, 11% below in October and 6% below in November.
• This fiscal year, we expect to replace all of our staff losses and hire approximately 1,300 additional employees ...
• On November 20, our first class of ALJs for FY 2010 was sworn in at the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Congressman Earl Pomeroy delivered the keynote speech. By bringing on board 43 ALJs and 8 AAJs, we are on our way to increasing our ALJ corps to 1,450 by the end of the fiscal year.
• We have updated the ODAR map that shows our new hearing offices, satellite offices, and National Hearing Centers, plus the hearing sites scheduled to open during FY 2010. To view the map, visit http://odar.ba.ssa.gov/odarweb/DCDAR/ODARmap.pdf. [This is either a bad link in the original or only available to those inside the firewall at Social Security. I think that people on the outside would be interested in seeing this.]
  
• We have completed the FY 2009 fourth quarter reports for the Hearing Backlog Reduction Update booklets. We distributed to each member of Congress a booklet describing the progress we have made in their respective districts. To view these booklets, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/appeals/congressional-booklets.html.

Anything For Social Security?

The Hill reports that Democrats in Congress are in the early stages of developing a jobs creation bill that might be as much as $300 billion. Since Social Security got major funding in the last jobs bill, I hope Social Security is trying to get something out of this new bill.