L to R: AMAC President Dave Weber, AMAC CEO Rebecca Weber, SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, SSA Deputy Commissioner Arjun Mody.
This week, AMAC leadership met with Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano and Deputy Commissioner Arjun Mody at SSA headquarters in Baltimore for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of America’s most important retirement program.
Representing AMAC were AMAC CEO Rebecca Weber, AMAC President Dave Weber, AMAC Foundation Executive Director Emeritus Gerry Hafer, and AMAC Action Senior Vice President Andy Mangione, along with the Washington, D.C. advocacy team member Palmer Schoening. The meeting underscored AMAC’s ongoing commitment to being a serious, solutions-oriented stakeholder as Congress and the Administration confront Social Security’s looming solvency challenges.
The discussion focused on two major themes: modernizing service delivery and safeguarding the integrity of the program.
Commissioner Bisignano, who was featured as a guest columnist in the February issue of AMAC Magazine, has outlined an ambitious vision for a “digital-first” SSA. In his column, he detailed efforts to expand access to secure “my Social Security” online accounts, reduce wait times at field offices, improve 800-number responsiveness, and cut disability backlogs. During the meeting, AMAC and SSA leadership discussed expanding the agency’s digital reach among beneficiaries while ensuring that seniors who prefer in-person or telephone assistance continue to receive world-class service.
Equally important was the Commissioner’s emphasis on strong internal control standards to combat fraud and abuse. With Social Security serving more than 70 million Americans, protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring benefits go only to eligible recipients is central to preserving public trust. AMAC leadership welcomed the Commissioner’s focus on accountability and program integrity as part of his mission to protect and preserve Social Security.
A key highlight of the meeting was an overview of the AMAC Social Security Guarantee (SSG) plan for the Commissioner’s review. Developed after more than a decade of research and member input, the SSG is designed to prevent the automatic benefit cuts projected for 2033–2034 while keeping the program true to its anti-poverty mission.
Importantly, the meeting established AMAC as an active stakeholder in the broader conversation about Social Security solvency. SSA leadership invited continued collaboration, and AMAC will conduct a follow-up “deep dive” discussion on the SSG with agency policy staff in addition to the Commissioner’s own review of the proposal.
As Social Security approaches a critical crossroads, AMAC remains committed to working constructively with policymakers to ensure that this sacred promise to America’s seniors – and AMAC members – is strengthened for current and future generations.
FYI: NOT ALL in GOVT Pay into SS System
Loopholes cover some Fed workers NOT paying into SS.
SS going broke in 2032??
Remedy
I was quite shocked in reading this month’s article on the improvements made in running the Soc Security system.
I have dealt with them for almost 5 years getting my simple problem resolved – Spousal benefits. I can’t begin to tell you the degree of incompetency & frustrations I had to deal with. It would be to our benefit if they would reach out to the American people who have dealt with them for input!
If there is the threat that social security would run out at some point in the future, why not reimburse the fund for all the fraud that has gone on for years, to ensure that those who have paid into the fund their entire lives will receive their full benefit.
One of the main things to do is to make Congress pay into it too according to the constitution that any laws that were passed, they were to fall. They were not to exempt themselves, so consequently, they put a whole bunch of Social Security money right in their own pockets as a so-called loanthat never was and never will be repaid.
I am thinking of being routed to someone – customer service – from out of state who’s not familiar with all the rules/regulations of my state.
AMAC should be meeting with Congress to discuss ways to get rid of Social Security.