Social Security / SSI
Report of the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security
On December 11, 2001, the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security unanimously approved their final report to the President. The report is 140 pages in length (PDF version is available online.) Although some changes to the draft report were adopted during the December 11, 2001 Commission meeting, the majority of the draft report will remain unchanged. The final report is expected to be delivered to the President on December 21, 2001.
Only the last four pages of the report deal specifically pertain to the "treatment of disability insurance in social security reform" (pp. 137-140). Even though the private account and solvency options outlined in the draft report would dramatically reduce disability insurance, the Commission, in part used the last four pages as a disclaimer for their actions. In the draft report, they write: "The primary objective of this Commission has been to reform the Social Security retirement program. Although the Disability Insurance program faces financial problems similar to the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance program, the nature of the issues facing the DI program are far more complex. The Commission's short life span has not allowed time for the careful deliberation necessary to develop sound reform plans for the disability program. Because of the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved, we recommend that the President address the DI program through a separate policy development process."