The Robert M. Ball Award for Outstanding Contributions to Social Insurance in the United States
Each year, the Robert M. Ball award is presented to an individual whose recent work has made a significant impact on the U.S. social insurance system. Selection Criteria:
- Innovation in changing, educating about or otherwise furthering public understanding and informed policy-making in a specific area of social insurance
- Effectiveness in deepening public understanding, fostering collaboration, informing policy, implementing policy, or teaching others about social insurance
The award honors Robert M. Ball, who served as Commissioner of Social Security from 1962 to 1973, and has been an important participant in every Social Security development of the past 60 years. As the Founding Chair of the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), he continues to serve as unofficial advisor to many policy-makers while also writing and advising on Social Security, Medicare, national health insurance, and welfare.
The Award was created in June 2003 at the celebration of Bob Ball’s 90th birthday. The award is presented at a gala reception at the National Press Club in June of each year.
To date, winners include:
- John C. Rother (2010), Executive Vice President of Policy and Strategy, AARP
- Alicia H. Munnell (2009), Director, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College
- Peter A. Diamond (2008), Institute Professor and Professor of Economics, MIT
- Henry Aaron (2007), Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
- Monroe Berkowitz (2006), Professor of Economics, Rutgers University
- Bruce C. Vladeck (2005), Principal (former), Ernst & Young
- Stephen C. Goss (2004), Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration
