SSA Suspends Mailing of Earnings Statements

Consumers for Paper Options, a coalition advocating for access to important paper-based services and information, Washington, D.C., USA, yesterday (Jan. 11, 2017) expressed strong opposition to a new decision by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to suspend the mailing of Social Security Statements to workers under the age of 60. The move comes despite a measure in the Fiscal Year 2014 funding bill requiring the Social Security Administration to "significantly restore" the mailing of earnings statements. In response to Congress’ 2014 directive, the agency resumed mailing a statement every five years to every American ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60, who has not signed up for online statements.

"Social Security earnings statements have been described as the most important financial planning tool that the majority of Americans will ever see, and the Social Security Administration just took them away again, without any debate or discussion," said John Runyan, executive director of Consumers for Paper Options. "While earnings statements are currently available online, wage-earners must first create an account and provide sensitive personal information before being granted access. This presents a significant burden for the one-third of Americans without internet access, as well as those with cybersecurity concerns." 

Runyan added that "we are hopeful the next Administration will stand up for the millions of Americans who have no intention or ability to go online and see what the government has planned for their hard-earned contributions to Social Security."

Consumers for Paper Options brings together industry, non-profits, and consumers in an effort to address the transition to Internet-only resources at the exclusion of millions of citizens. Consumers for Paper Options is united in the belief that paper-based communications are critically important for millions of Americans, especially seniors and the 33% of households without Internet access. While regulated entities and governments at every level need to streamline services, cut costs, and improve efficiencies, the goal of Consumers for Paper Options is to preserve access in a way that neither hinders the natural evolution of technology nor discriminates against those who may not, or cannot, use it. 

 

 

More information is available online.