Press Release
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
For Immediate Release
Public Warned about E-mail Scam
Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, and Patrick O'Carroll, Jr., Inspector General of Social Security, issued a warning today about a new email scam that has surfaced recently.
The Agency has received several reports of an email message being circulated with the subject "Cost-of-Living for 2007 update" and purporting to be from the Social Security Administration. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following "NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely." The reader is then directed to a website designed to look like Social Security's Internet website.
"I am outraged that someone would target an unsuspecting public in this manner," said Commissioner Barnhart. "I have asked the Inspector General to use all the resources at his command to find and prosecute whoever is perpetrating this fraud."
Once directed to the phony website, the individual is asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as the individual's Social Security number, bank account information and credit card information.
Inspector General O'Carroll recommends people always take precautions when giving out personal information. "You should never provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information," O'Carroll said.
To report receipt of this email message or other suspicious activity to Social Security's Office of Inspector General, please call the OIG Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the OIG TTY number at 1-866-501-2101). A Public Fraud Reporting form is also available online at OIG's website www.socialsecurity.gov/oig.
Press Release
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
For Immediate Release
Social Security Announces 3.3 Percent Benefit Increase for 2007
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 53 million Americans will increase 3.3 percent in 2007, the Social Security Administration announced today.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the current year. This year's increase in the CPI-W was 3.3 percent.
The 3.3 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 49 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2007. Increased payments to more than 7 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will begin on December 29.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $97,500 from $94,200. Of the estimated 163 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2007, about 11 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum in 2007.
Information about Medicare changes for 2007 can be found at www.cms.hhs.gov.
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: A fact sheet showing the effect of the various automatic adjustments is attached.
Press Release
Monday September 11, 2006
For Immediate Release
Social Security and September 11th: Five Years Later - 2006
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Social Security is America's family protection plan. It is more than a retirement program; it provides valuable survivors and disability protection for workers and their families.
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As a result of September 11th, Social Security received 5,797 individual benefit claims from 2,428 families. Most of the assistance went to family members of those killed in the terrorist attacks. However, Social Security also helped workers get disability and retirement benefits.
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Survivors Benefits: When a worker dies, certain surviving family members may be eligible for benefits. Social Security has paid monthly benefits to 2,377 surviving children and 853 surviving spouses. In addition to monthly benefits, one-time payments were made to 1,802 members of victims' families.
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Disability Benefits: When a worker is unable to work due to a disability that lasts or may be expected to last at least one year or to result in death, the disabled worker and certain family members may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security has paid monthly benefits to 642 individuals disabled by the terrorist attacks of September 11th and 99 of their dependent spouses or children.
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Nearly $175 million in benefits have been paid to people affected by the September 11th tragedies.
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The first payments to surviving family members (benefits for the month of September) were paid on October 3, 2001.
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As of August 2006, Social Security is paying more than $2.9 million per month.
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Social Security responded to the September 11th terrorist attacks by activating special emergency procedures to give the fastest possible service to the families of the victims of the tragedies at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.
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These procedures allowed for acceptance of documents as proof of death that, under other circumstances, would not have been accepted. Airplane manifests, lists of employees furnished by employers and other statements that placed the worker at the scene of the attacks were accepted.
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Social Security employees helped families at special assistance centers that were established in New York, Arlington, VA, and Shanksville, PA.
Press Release
Friday May 12, 2006
For Immediate Release
Social Security Delivers the Most Popular Baby Names for 2005
Emily and Jacob Remain the Apple of Moms' (and Dads') Eye For Seventh Straight Year
In what has become a Mother's Day tradition, Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the top baby names in the United States for 2005.
"Based on all Social Security card applications for children born last year, Emily and Jacob are the most popular baby names for the seventh year in a row," said Commissioner Barnhart. "I invite everybody to visit our website to view the new list and take advantage of the valuable information and services offered by Social Security."
Please click on the Most Popular Baby Names link at Social Security's website -- www.socialsecurity.gov -- to see the top baby names for 2005. The top ten boys and girls names for 2005 are:
| Boys: |
Girls: |
|
Jacob
Michael
Joshua
Matthew
Ethan
Andrew
Daniel
Anthony
Christopher
Joseph
|
Emily
Emma
Madison
Abigail
Olivia
Isabella
Hannah
Samantha
Ava
Ashley
|
Emily has been the most popular female name each year since 1996. Jacob has been the top male name since 1999. New to the top ten this year are Ava and Anthony.
In addition to a list of the 1,000 most popular baby names for 2005, there is a list of the most popular baby names for each state. Also, there is a list of the top 100 names for twins born in 2005. Jacob and Joshua are the most popular twin's names.
It is now easier to find information for babies, children and parents on the Social Security website. And there are links to other government websites that offer valuable information about pregnancy, caring for newborns and programs and services for families.
Social Security started compiling baby name lists in 1997. Today, the Social Security website offers lists of baby names for each year since 1880.
Social Security's website -- www.socialsecurity.gov -- has a variety of online services that allow people to access information and conduct business with Social Security from the convenience of their computers at any time.
Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and limited resources who need assistance paying for their Medicare presc/benefits/medicare/prescriptionhelp to apply online for extra help. And those who qualify after the May 15th enrollment deadline can continue to enroll in a plan for the remainder of 2006 without being penalized.
People also can apply online for Social Security retirement, spouse's and disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire. Other online services allow people to find out if they may be eligible for benefits or locate their local Social Security office. Individuals who are receiving benefits may use the website to change their address or request a replacement Medicare card. As more and more people conduct business via the Internet, these online services save significant time and effort.
In addition, Social Security offers online benefits planners at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/. Each planner--retirement, disability and survivors--contains valuable information about the benefits available and factors that can affect people. The planner's three online calculators also allow individuals to compute estimates of their future retirement benefits and current disability and survivors benefits.
The website also offers a wealth of information about all Social Security programs through online publications and a "Frequently Asked Questions" section.
Press Release
Monday, May 01, 2006
For Immediate Release
2006 Trustees Report - Long-Term Financing Challenges Remain
The 2006 Social Security Trustees Report shows little change in the projected financial status of the Social Security program over last year. The Trustees Report projects that the Social Security Trust Funds will be exhausted in 2040 - one year sooner than last year's projection. And, as they have done for more than a decade, the Trustees recommend that projected trust fund deficits be addressed in a timely way to allow for gradual changes and advance notice to workers.
In the 2006 Annual Report to Congress, the Trustees announced:
- The projected point at which tax revenues will fall below program costs comes in 2017 -- the same as the estimate in last year's report.
- The projected point at which the Trust Funds will be exhausted comes in 2040 -- one year earlier than the projection in last year's report.
- The projected actuarial deficit over the 75-year long-range period is 2.02 percent of taxable payroll -- up .09 percent from last year's report.
- Over the 75-year period, the Trust Funds require additional revenue equivalent to $4.6 trillion in today's dollars to pay all scheduled benefits. This unfunded obligation is $600 billion higher than the amount estimated last year.
"With the release of this report, we have another opportunity to send a signal to younger generations of Americans that we, as a society, are committed to strengthening this important program for them," said Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security. "Looking ahead, the financing problems facing Social Security will be challenging to address. Reflecting back, our nation has a proud history of grappling with difficult issues. And we do it best when we work together. I believe Social Security, a program that touches the lives of almost every American, deserves nothing less."
Other highlights of the Trustees Report include:
- Income including interest to the combined Old-Age and Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds amounted to $702 billion in 2005 -- a $44 billion increase from 2004.
- During the year, an estimated 159 million people had earnings covered by Social Security and paid payroll taxes.
- The Trust Funds paid benefits of nearly $521 billion in calendar year 2005 -- an increase of $27 billion from 2004. There were 48 million beneficiaries at the end of the calendar year.
- The cost of $5.3 billion to administer the program in 2005 was a very low 1.0 percent of total expenditures.
- Total expenditures from the combined OASDI Trust Funds amounted to $530 billion in 2005.
- The assets of the combined OASDI Trust Funds increased by $172 billion in 2005 to a total of $1.86 trillion.
- Interest earned on the invested assets of the combined Trust Funds was $94 billion in 2005. The combined Trust Fund assets earned interest at an effective annual rate of 5.5 percent.
- Trust Fund exhaustion is one year sooner and the unfunded obligation is higher than last year's report largely because of the passage of a year and small revisions to several key assumptions including a lower assumed real interest rate.
The Board of Trustees is comprised of six members. Four serve by virtue of their positions with the federal government:
- John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury and Managing Trustee;
- Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security;
- Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services; and
- Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor.
The two public trustees are John L. Palmer and Thomas R. Saving.
The 2006 Trustees Report will be posted to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/TR06/ by Monday afternoon.
Press Release
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
For Immediate Release
Commissioner Barnhart Unveils New Social Security Disability Determination Process
Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, issued a final rule establishing a new disability determination process. The new process, built upon Social Security's electronic disability claims process, will shorten decision times and pay benefits to people who are obviously disabled much earlier in the process.
"The changes we are making in the disability process will greatly improve the quality of service that Social Security provides to millions of disabled workers and their families," Commissioner Barnhart said. "The new process uses 21st century technology and creates accountability at every step. It reflects my goals of improving the accuracy, consistency and fairness of our process and ensuring that we make the right decision as early in the process as possible."
The new disability process provides for:
- A quick disability determination process for those who are obviously disabled. Favorable decisions would be made in such cases within 20 days after the claim is received by the state disability determination agency.
- A new Medical-Vocational Expert System (MVES) to enhance the expertise needed to make accurate and timely decisions. The MVES will be composed of a Medical-Vocational Expert Unit and a national network of medical, psychological and vocational experts who meet qualification standards established by the Commissioner.
- A new position -- the Federal Reviewing Official -- that will review state agency determinations upon the request of the claimant. This will eliminate the reconsideration step of the current appeals process.
- Retention of the right to request a de novo hearing and decision from an Administrative Law Judge if the claimant disagrees with the decision of the Federal Reviewing Official.
- Closing the record after the Administrative Law Judge issues a decision, with provision for certain good cause exceptions to this rule.
- A new body -- the Decision Review Board -- to review and correct decisional errors and ensure consistent adjudication at all levels of the disability determination process. The current Appeals Council will be phased out gradually.
Social Security plans to phase in the new process on a region-by-region basis beginning with the Boston Region this summer. The Boston Region is comprised of the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
The new disability process is the result of a collaborative effort that began during a discussion Commissioner Barnhart had with President Bush early in her term. On September 25, 2003, Commissioner Barnhart presented Congress with an approach to improving the disability process. Since then, Commissioner Barnhart and Agency staff conducted hundreds of meetings with interested groups and individuals. Social Security also carefully considered nearly 900 suggestions received during a 90-day public comment period that followed publication of a proposed regulation to improve the disability process on July 27, 2005.
"The comments we received during our extensive outreach effort and in response to our proposed rule were extremely helpful and deeply appreciated," said Commissioner Barnhart. "I was very impressed with the professionalism, time and effort that the interested parties put into their suggestions. I believe we have improved the final rule as a result."
The preamble to the final rule explains the changes that were made to the proposed regulation as a result of the comments the Agency received. To ensure that discussions and improved understanding continue even after implementation of the final rule, the preamble also notes that Social Security plans to continue to meet with interested parties as the new process is rolled out.
In conjunction with the changes in the disability determination process, Social Security is conducting several demonstration projects aimed at helping people with disabilities who are interested in working. These projects support the President's New Freedom Initiative and provide for work incentives and opportunities earlier in the process. In these demonstrations, the Agency will test providing cash supports, various forms of medical benefits and employment supports such as transportation assistance. Social Security will look at how making these available will help people with disabilities successfully work.
"From the beginning, I have been committed to developing a disability determination process that provides the level of service the American people expect and deserve," Commissioner Barnhart said. "I am confident that this rule will do just that."
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: For more information on the new disability determination process, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/disability-new-approach.
The final rule is on public display at the Office of the Federal Register.
Press Release
Friday, February 17, 2006
For Immediate Release
Public Warned about Identity Theft E-mail Scam
Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, and Patrick O'Carroll, Jr., Inspector General of Social Security, issued a warning today about a new email scam that has surfaced recently.
The Agency has received several reports of an email message being circulated addressed to "Dear Social Security Number And Card owner" and purporting to be from the Social Security Administration. The message informs the reader "that someone illegally is using your Social Security number and assuming your identity" and directs the reader to a website designed to look like Social Security's Internet website.
"I am outraged that someone would target an unsuspecting public in this manner," said Commissioner Barnhart. "I have asked the Inspector General to use all the resources at his command to find and prosecute whoever is perpetrating this fraud."
Once directed to the phony website, the individual is asked to confirm their identity with "Social Security and bank information." Specific information about the individual's credit card number, expiration date and PIN number is then requested. "Whether on our online website or by phone, Social Security will never ask you for your credit card information or your PIN number," Commissioner Barnhart said.
Inspector General O'Carroll recommends people always take precautions when giving out personal information. "You should never provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information," O'Carroll said.
To report receipt of this email message or other suspicious activity to Social Security's Office of Inspector General, please call the OIG Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the OIG TTY number at 1-866-501-2101). A Public Fraud Reporting form is also available online at OIG's website www.socialsecurity.gov/oig.
