CPO Applauds Congressional Efforts to Restore Paper Social Security Statements
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The conference report language, which has the authority of a binding statutory requirement, directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to present a plan to Congress within 60 days that "[includes] a significant restoration of the mailing of statements" to individuals, a practice that was eliminated by the SSA in 2011. While earnings statements are currently available online, wage-earners must first create an online account and provide sensitive personal information before being granted access. This presents a significant burden for the nearly one-third of Americans without internet access, as well as those with cybersecurity concerns.
"Social Security statements are a tremendous resource, providing American workers a way to proactively verify the accuracy of their benefits, and, in turn, make informed retirement decisions," said John Runyan, executive director of Consumers for Paper Options. "Congress’ latest action represents a significant step toward making sure that all Americans can access this important financial planning tool. We are grateful for the legislative branch’s commitment to remedying this misguided policy, and especially for the work of Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), who worked to move this effort forward. We look forward to reviewing the Social Security Administration’s proposal in the coming days."
According to a national poll http://www.paperoptions.org/links/Executive_Summary.pdf commissioned by Consumers for Paper Options, 72% of consumers surveyed said they would like for the government to continue to provide paper copies of essential documents like Social Security annual earnings statements and checks.
Consumers for Paper Options supports other Congressional efforts to restore and protect access to paper-based government information and services – including H.R. 3385, the SAVINGS Act, which was introduced by Rep. Matthew Cartwright (D-Pa.) The SAVINGS Act would protect access to savings bonds, which are no longer sold in paper form, by preserving the Tax-Time Savings Bond Program through 2018. In addition, the coalition supports H. Res. 97, a bipartisan resolution recently introduced by Reps. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) and Mike Michaud (D-Maine), which seeks to reverse federal initiatives to eliminate paper-based information and services.
