SSA's Transfer of Research Personnel to Operating Units

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Social Security Administration's (SSA) transfer of personnel from major components of its research office to its operating unit. GAO addressed the issues concerning whether: (1) the transfer would hinder the ability to forecast the needs of the system; (2) the action is contrary to the legislative mandate for SSA to perform policy analysis; and (3) the action is contrary to the need for independent policy analysis connected with proposed independent agency action.