Social Security Administration a More Formal Approach Could Enhance Ssas Ability to Develop and Manage Totalization Agreements

By Mccrery, Jim

Book Id: WPLBN0000201614
Format Type: PDF eBook
File Size: 0.5 MB
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	Social Security Administration a More Formal Approach Could Enhance Ssas Ability to Develop and Manage Totalization Agreements
Author:	Mccrery, Jim
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Government publications, Accountability in government, United States. General Accounting Office
Collections:	Government Library Collection, Government Accountability Integrity Reliability Office Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	United States General Accounting Office (Gao)


Citation APA MLA Chicago Mccrery, J. (n.d.). Social Security Administration a More Formal Approach Could Enhance Ssas Ability to Develop and Manage Totalization Agreements. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.us/

Description
Government Accountability Integrity Reliability Office Collection

Excerpt
Excerpt: SSA?s policies and procedures for assessing the accuracy and reliability of important information from foreign countries-such as birth and death data-when entering into totalization agreements remain generally informal, but recent initiatives for improvement seem promising. Historically, SSA has conducted only limited reviews, focusing primarily on broad policy issues and systems compatibility, rather than the integrity and reliability of earnings data and evidentiary documents. For example, during preliminary negotiations with Mexico, SSA conducted a limited review of that country?s social security system but did not assess the reliability of that country?s data. SSA has also developed several initiatives to identify risks associated with totalization agreements. These include: developing a standardized questionnaire for assessing the reliability of foreign earnings data, soliciting input from other government agencies, and using a matrix to compare potential agreement countries. SSA is also conducting ?vulnerability assessments? to detect potential problems with foreign countries? documents. All of these tools are positive steps to help SSA assess potential risks posed by unreliable foreign data. However, SSA has not integrated these initiatives into formal procedures. Given the upcoming retirement of key management officials, SSA may lose critical institutional knowledge, which may limit the agency?s ability to assess risks associated with future agreements.