History of SSA During the Johnson Administration 1963-1968

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON SOCIAL SECURITY

As required by law, an Advisory Council on Social Security was appointed in 1963. In accordance with the law, the Council consisted of the Commissioner of Social Security, as Chairman, and twelve other people who represented employers and employees (in equal numbers), the self-employed and the public. Its members were:

  • Robert M. Ball, Commissioner of Social Security, Chairman
  • J. Douglas Brown, Dean of the Faculty, Princeton University
  • Kenneth W. Clement, M.D., Practicing Physician and Immediate Past President, National Medical Association
  • Nelson H. Cruikshank, Director, Department of Social Security, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Indus trial Organizations
  • James P. Dixon, M.D., President, Antioch College
  • Loula F. Dunn, Director, American Public Welfare Association, 1949-1964
  • Marion B. Folsom, Director and former Treasurer, Eastman Kodak Company
  • Gordon M. Freeman, President, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • Reinhard A. Hohaus, Director, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Fellow, Society of Actuaries
  • Arthur Larson, Director, Rule of Law Research Center, Duke University
  • Herman M. Somers, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs, Princeton University
  • John C. Virden, Chairman of the Board, Eaton Manufacturing Company
  • Leonard Woodcock, Vice President, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America

The Council was the sixth major advisory group to consider social security. It was, however, the first since the late 1940s to make a comprehensive review of the social security programs.

The Social Security Administration gave extensive staff assistance to the Council. Staff papers, background information, and technical assistance were provided in such areas as financing, amount of social security benefits, dependents and survivors benefits, eligibility for benefits, coverage of tips as wages, the retirement test, existing coverage provisions, proposals for coverage extension, the effectiveness of current disability insurance provisions, proposed changes in the disability insurance program, and a proposal to provide hospital insurance benefits under social security for aged and disabled persons. This information was used, by members of the Council to formulate their recommendations.

The Council completed its study and submitted a report, as specified by law, of its findings and recommendations with respect to the financing of the social security program, and all other aspects of the program,including extensions of coverage and the adequacy of benefits, to the Board of Trustees of the social security trust funds on January 1, 1965.{1}


Footnotes (Footnote numbers not same as in the printed version)

{l} The Status of the Social Security Program and Recommendations for Its Improvement.

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