Social Security Administration

1935 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235 800-772-1213 $467.4 billion 63,956 SSA administers the federal retirement, survivors, and disability insurance programs, as well as the Supplemental Security Income program for the aged, blind, and disabled. The agency also performs certain functions with respect to the black-lung benefits program. Commissioner (designate) 800-772-1213 A key mandate for any commissioner is to make sure that Social Security checks go out on time and that retirees are paid the proper amount. In addition, workers' earnings records must be kept accurately and appeals handled swiftly. Those are the basics of the job. In the past, the commissioner also had policy-making duties, but in recent years, most of the decision-making on structural and financial policy has been taken over by the White House. Barnhart, 50, has the experience on Capitol Hill and in administering social and welfare programs to be not only an effective administrator but also a useful voice in the coming debate on the future of Social Security. Born in Memphis, Tenn., she received her B.A. from the University of Delaware in 1975. She later worked in nutrition projects, and as legislative liaison for the Mental Health Association of Delaware. From there, she moved to congressional and federal administrative jobs. From 1977-81 she was legislative assistant to then-Sen. William V. Roth Jr., R-Del. In the Reagan Administration, she served as deputy associate commissioner and associate commissioner for family assistance in HHS. She also worked as a consultant to the White House Office of Policy Development. Barnhart managed Roth's 1988 election campaign and was Republican staff director of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee from 1986-90. She became assistant secretary of HHS for family support in 1990 and was assistant secretary for children and families from 1991-93. Barnhart served as political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the mid 1990s. She is also a member of the Social Security Advisory Board. decision makers