The Politicization of the Social Security Administration

Publication

The Politicization of the Social Security Administration

Abstract

The Special Investigations Division of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform investigated whether the Social Security Administration altered its communications to support President Bush's Social Security proposals. Despite Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart's assertion of no changes, a review of over 4,000 pages of documents reveals marked shifts in messaging over the past four years. These changes, from eliminating assurances of Social Security's solvency to emphasizing its unsustainability, suggest a departure from the agency's prior objective of public education to supporting reforms. Examples include revisions in publications, press releases, employee presentations, and annual statements, all indicating a politicization of the agency and a divergence from improved solvency projections.