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Social Security Administration Field Offices: Reduced Workforce Faces Challenges as Baby Boomers Retire

GAO-08-737T Published: May 08, 2008. Publicly Released: May 08, 2008.
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Highlights

Millions of people rely on the services of Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices. In fiscal year 2007, SSA's approximately 1,300 field offices provided service to about 42 million customers. People use these offices to apply for Social Security cards, apply for retirement and disability benefits, establish direct deposit, and a host of other services. While customers may conduct their business using SSA's online, telephone, or other service options, many prefer the personalized contact provided in field offices. Over the last several years, staffing reductions have challenged field offices' ability to manage work, while continuing to deliver quality customer service. To assess how field offices are managing these challenges, GAO was asked to determine (1) the effect that reduced staffing levels may be having on field office operations and (2) the challenges that SSA faces in meeting future service delivery needs. This statement is drawn from GAO's ongoing study on field offices for the committee, which is expected to be issued later this year. To conduct this work, GAO interviewed SSA officials in headquarters, and other components, and analyzed various data on SSA's workloads and other data. In commenting on a draft of this testimony, SSA said that GAO understated the connection between staffing stresses from increased work demands and the agency's funding shortfalls.

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Baby boomersBeneficiariesClaims processingCustomer serviceDisability benefitsEligibility determinationsEmployee retentionErroneous paymentsFederal employeesFederal facilitiesFederal social security programsHuman capital managementHuman capital planningHuman capital policiesLabor forceProgram evaluationProgram managementRetirementRetirement ageRetirement benefitsSocial security benefitsStaff utilizationStrategic planningSupplemental security incomeProgram goals or objectives