Independent agencyHigh

Social Security Administration(SSA)

Independent agency administering Social Security retirement, survivors, disability insurance, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security numbers.

Function

Independent agency

Parent

Top-level (no parent)

FY2026 Budget Authority

$1271.46B

Official Data

USAspending.gov

Evidence & Review

Evidence Confidence

High

Verification Status

AI-researched, unverified

Last Reviewed

Jul 5, 2026

Retrieved On

Jul 5, 2026

Effectiveness Baseline

High

Performance.gov links SSA goals; GAO and SSA OIG examine disability backlogs, improper payments, field-office service, and IT modernization.

Efficiency Opportunities

High

Modernize claims and payment systems, improve death and wage data matching, reduce duplicate evidence collection, and target overpayment prevention upstream.

Effectiveness Opportunities

High

Faster disability decisions, accurate payments, accessible service channels, and clearer notices that reduce appeals caused by confusion.