What’s at Stake: AI, Emerging Tech, and Disability Benefits at the Social Security Administration
In April, the Academy’s cross-sector expert Task Force on AI, Emerging Technology, and Disability Benefits released its first report outlining principles and guardrails to guide the Social Security Administration’s approach to AI and to act as a “north star” for future regulations, guidance and policies, particularly in rights-impacting contexts. The use of AI and emerging […]
“Social Security Won’t Let You Have a Nest Egg”: The Case for Updating Supplemental Security Income’s Asset Limit
The roughly 7 million older and/or disabled Americans who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) must adhere to numerous complex, rigid, and outdated program rules in order to keep their benefits, one of the most punishing of which is the asset limit. SSI recipients are limited to just $2,000 in assets (including cash, money in bank […]
Unemployment Insurance in a Crisis: Learning from Past Lessons
During economic downturns, Congress tends to step in and improve unemployment insurance by improving core functions such as increasing benefit duration and amount. Founded on the heels of the Great Depression, Unemployment insurance (UI) serves several purposes. The most obvious is that people who lose work through no fault of their own are able to […]
National Academy of Social Insurance Welcomes Three Longtime Leaders as Senior Fellows
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Academy of Social Insurance is excited to announce the addition of three new senior fellows, each of whom is a longtime leader in the social insurance field: Robert Espinoza, Kathryn Edwards, and Elisa Walker. “I’m thrilled to welcome Robert, Kathryn, and Elisa to the Academy’s growing team. Each brings deep expertise […]
Academy Task Force on AI, Emerging Tech & Disability Benefits Releases First Report
The Academy’s Task Force on AI, Emerging Technology, & Disability Benefits issued its initial report outlining the principles to guide the SSA’s approach to AI in future policies and guidance, particularly in rights-impacting contexts.
National Academy Task Force on AI, Emerging Tech & Disability Benefits Releases First Report
Washington, DC — Today, the National Academy of Social Insurance’s cross-sector Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technology & Disability Benefits released its Phase One report. The first deep dive on current and future use of AI and related technology at SSA, the Task Force’s first report describes how SSA is currently using AI in […]
Recent Federal Layoffs: What It All Means for Unemployment Insurance
This is a discussion on what recent federal firings mean for unemployment insurance systems, a question that has been consternating policymakers and the press. The National Academy of Social Insurance has been closely monitoring what Federal worker and contractor layoffs mean for the broader unemployment insurance system as we teeter on the precipice of a […]
Bipartisan SSA Commissioners and Expert Academy Members on Recent DOGE Cuts at SSA
In recent weeks, experts from across the Academy community have been raising concerns about sweeping changes and staffing reductions at the Social Security Administration, spurred by the new Department of Government Efficiency. On March 13, 2025 the Academy hosted a briefing on the consequences of DOGE’s recent SSA cuts for current and future beneficiaries, featuring […]
National Academy of Social Insurance Announces New Board Members, Senior Fellows, and Members of the Academy
Washington, D.C. – The National Academy of Social Insurance is pleased to announce several exciting updates for 2025, including the election and re-election of several of the nation’s top social insurance experts to steer its Board of Directors, the addition of two new Senior Fellows to the Academy’s growing policy team, as well as the […]
Social Security at 90: A Bipartisan Roadmap for the Program’s Future
As it marks its 90th anniversary, Social Security has become the foundation of economic security for nearly all Americans, providing a suite of insurance that protects workers and their families in the event of retirement, disability, or death. However, the program currently faces a long-term financing gap which, if unaddressed, will result in across-the-board benefit […]