THERE IS NEW evi-
Last week, the Government Accountability Office issued a report on the challenges the Social Security Administration faces as its workers leave to join the ranks of the newly retired.
GAO surveyed Social Security's 1,300 field offices and found that staffing has dropped by more than 4 percent from 2005 to 2008.
For those not familiar with Social Security's operations, these field offices serve almost 44 million customers who visit or contact them to apply for retirement, disability or other benefits or to establish direct-deposit accounts, and provide a host
Even though the remaining workers are trying hard to make up the difference with an overall increase
In an effort to cope with reduced staff, Social Security's managers have deferred work that the agency deemed a low priority, such as reviewing the continued eligibility of beneficiaries. Though this has helped somewhat, it makes it more difficult for Social Security to determine if benefits are being received erroneously.
CUSTOMERS WAIT LONGER
Reduced staffing has also contributed to longer customer waiting periods and poor telephone service. GAO reported that in 2008, more than 3 million customers waited for more than an hour to be served and that 51 percent of customers had at least one telephone call go unanswered.
Even more disturbing is GAO's finding that the number of Social Security retirement and disability claims will grow by about 1 million a year through 2017. Escalating claim growth coupled with the fact that 44 percent of Social Security's employees will retire by 2016 is a recipe for potential chaos for aging baby boomers.
Though Social Security's managers can be commended for doing their best to address the challenges they have faced, GAO is concerned that they have no detailed plans to ensure that quality service is delivered to the public.
As expected, Social Security has taken issue with GAO's findings and promises to detail its efforts to address many of the concerns.
With more than 80 million baby boomers getting older every day, I look forward to seeing Social Security's plans.
RETIREES GET RELIEF
The National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees has announced that the just-signed economic stimulus package includes benefits for civil service retirees.
Most federal retirees qualify for a newly created $250 refundable tax credit. Since exact details are not available, you may want to contact NARFE at narfe.org.
Kevin Wilkinson of Spotsylvania County is a veteran federal employee. Write him c/o Federal Feedback, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401.
Email: kwlknsn@yahoo.com.