Social Security

The Social Security Administration has announced that approximately 70 million Americans will see a 5.9% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2022. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher cost-of-living.

The Social Security Advisory Board has released its annual report summarizing their work during fiscal year 2020 and detailing information regarding its accomplishments, including Board publications and commissioned work.

The 2018 OASDI Trustees Report, officially called "The 2018 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds," presents the current and projected financial status of the trust funds. Social Security and Medicare together accounted for 42 percent of Federal program expenditures in fiscal year 2017.

This fact sheet and issue brief explore how federal programs support older Americans. The focus is on four main areas, including health programs, economic security, housing and food, and legal assistance. These publications help explain how various federal programs can ideally work together to allow older Americans to meet their basic needs and maintain a high quality of life.

This report outlines concrete steps to protect vulnerable Social Security beneficiaries and recipients. The report includes recommendations for Congress, the Office of Management and Budget and SSA to strengthen the current administrative process, create better monitoring and explore comprehensive, government-wide coordination and cross-agency reform of rep-payee processes.