Social Security Administration
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Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates extensive data and statistical programs to inform the public, researchers, and policymakers about the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. The Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics (ORES) is the primary component of the SSA responsible for this work.
Public-Use Data and Reports
The SSA makes a variety of data files and reports available to the public. These resources are designed to provide transparency and support external research:
| • | Public-Use Microdata Files: These files are extracts from the SSA's administrative records and are provided in a way that protects individual privacy. Examples include: |
| o | Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Public-Use Microdata File: A sample of individuals receiving OASDI benefits, with data fields on benefit amounts and taxable earnings history. |
| o | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Public-Use Microdata File: A sample of federal SSI recipients, with data on income, resources, and payment amounts. |
| o | Benefits and Earnings Public-Use File (BEPUF): A set of fully synthetic microdata records that statistically represent a sample of the OASDI beneficiary population. |
| • | Statistical Reports and Publications: The SSA publishes a range of reports that provide program statistics and analysis: |
| o | Annual Statistical Supplement: A comprehensive annual report with data on OASDI and SSI program benefits, payments, covered workers, and other indicators. |
| o | Annual Trustees Reports: Published each year by the Board of Trustees, these reports provide projections on the financial status and solvency of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. |
| o | Congressional Statistics: Annual fact sheets that provide program statistics on a local level, including by state, territory, and Congressional district. |
| o | OASDI Beneficiaries by State & County: An annual publication that breaks down the beneficiary population by benefit type and category (e.g., retired workers, survivors, or disabled workers) for each county. |
| o | National Beneficiary Survey (NBS): This survey provides extensive information on the circumstances of aged and disabled beneficiaries, including their demographics, employment, and income. |
Data for Researchers
While much of the SSA's administrative data is protected by privacy laws, the agency does collaborate with researchers and other federal agencies to provide access to more detailed data under strict guidelines. The SSA can share microdata for research and statistical studies with federal or state agencies that meet specific criteria and agree to privacy safeguards.
The SSA also links its administrative data with survey data from other agencies, such as the U.S. Census Bureau. This linkage allows researchers to assess the accuracy of self-reported earnings in surveys and to study topics like poverty, inequality, and the earnings distribution.