According to Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue, in remarks he made to the US Senate Finance Committee, changes are ahead for Social Security. "We are struggling," Commissioner Astrue said, "to maintain recent levels of service."
Social Security funding has not kept up with increased demands. For example, retirement and survivor's claims are up 26 percent since 2007. Disability claims are up more than 30 percent for the same period. Yet, the level of service provided by Social Security to claimants and the public is declining - even as a dedicated workforce tries to do more with less resources.
Callers to the national Social Security service center (1-800-772-1213) averaged waiting 185 seconds in 2011. In 2012, the wait time is expected to average 285 seconds. Busy signals greeted callers only 3 percent of the time in 2011 but will double to 6 percent in 2012, Astrue says.
Social Security is losing staff due to attrition at an alarming rate. So far in 2012, one-third of field offices lost at least 10 percent of their staffs. Fifteen Social Security offices have lost nearly one-third of their staff in 2012. Smaller staffs with increasing workloads will result in slower service. While Social Security's technology is improving to help with the strain, it is doubtful that greater efficiency can maintain service at present levels unless more funding becomes available from the Congress. Emphasis recently has been on cutting costs, no increasing them.
In one area, however, Social Security has shortened its wait time. That is in the area of benefit payments on new claims. The speedier checks are said to be the result of improved technology.
www.forsythefim.com The Forsythe Firm assists claimants with disability claims.
Social Security funding has not kept up with increased demands. For example, retirement and survivor's claims are up 26 percent since 2007. Disability claims are up more than 30 percent for the same period. Yet, the level of service provided by Social Security to claimants and the public is declining - even as a dedicated workforce tries to do more with less resources.
Callers to the national Social Security service center (1-800-772-1213) averaged waiting 185 seconds in 2011. In 2012, the wait time is expected to average 285 seconds. Busy signals greeted callers only 3 percent of the time in 2011 but will double to 6 percent in 2012, Astrue says.
Social Security is losing staff due to attrition at an alarming rate. So far in 2012, one-third of field offices lost at least 10 percent of their staffs. Fifteen Social Security offices have lost nearly one-third of their staff in 2012. Smaller staffs with increasing workloads will result in slower service. While Social Security's technology is improving to help with the strain, it is doubtful that greater efficiency can maintain service at present levels unless more funding becomes available from the Congress. Emphasis recently has been on cutting costs, no increasing them.
In one area, however, Social Security has shortened its wait time. That is in the area of benefit payments on new claims. The speedier checks are said to be the result of improved technology.
www.forsythefim.com The Forsythe Firm assists claimants with disability claims.
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