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NEW SOCIAL SECURITY BOSS

Michael Astrue has completed his term as Commissioner of Social Security and has stepped down.  It will be up to President Obama to nominate a new Commissioner.  As of this writing, the President has not indicated who he will nominate.  The commissioner will no doubt make administrative and policy changes to the nation's Social Security system but must do so within the confines of the law.

One example of changes during Mr. Astrue's term as commissioner was the so-called secret judges policy, the policy of not revealing the name of the administrative law judge until the time of the hearing.  That particular decision was very unpopular with attorneys and representatives and was questioned by congressional authorities.  

On a more positive note, Commissioner Astrue made quite a dent in the huge backlog of disability cases pending at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).

Social Security's operational budget (or lack thereof) will be the first big challenge facing the new commissioner.
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