[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 194 (Thursday, December 5, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6890-S6893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Cassidy):
  S. 2989. A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to 
clarify the mailing requirement relating to social security account 
statements; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I along with Finance Committee member 
Senator Cassidy are introducing a bill to make a common-sense, low-cost 
change to the law that will help American workers help themselves when 
preparing for retirement: The Know Your Social Security Act. This bill 
is simple: it clarifies the law about Congressional intent so that 
every worker over 25 receives a Social Security statement in the mail 
each year, unless the worker has accessed their statement online or 
declined to receive the statement in the mail.
  The history of the Social Security statement runs right through the 
Senate and the ``powerful'' Committee on Finance. Senator Daniel 
Patrick Moynihan summed up the intent very well: ``All of us pay into 
Social Security but rarely, until we become beneficiaries, do we ever 
hear from Social Security . . . . in every paycheck, we see money 
withheld for Social Security, but we hear nary a word from the Social 
Security Administration. Let us take this simple step [sending 
statements] to reassure Americans that Social Security will be there 
for them.'' The Social Security statement has three goals: to provide 
workers with information about their Social Security benefits, to help 
workers plan for the future, and enable workers to review their 
earnings records.
  After enactment and once fully phased in, every worker aged 25 and 
older received an annual statement from Social Security starting in the 
year 2000. After a few years, Social Security's website allowed workers 
to obtain a Social Security statement online. At the time, the online 
option was a good step forward in customer service. But as sometime 
happens, advances in technology shortchanged good intentions. Due to 
tight budgets, SSA came to view the online option as

[[Page S6891]]

``providing'' the worker with a statement and fulfilling their 
responsibilities under the law. SSA stopped mailing the statements in 
2011 in order to shift resources towards other priorities. Currently, 
only individuals over the age of 60 who are not receiving benefits 
receive statements through the mail.
  Paper statements delivered through the mail are desirable because no 
action is necessary by the worker and the statement is a yearly 
reminder to the worker to think about the future. Research has shown 
that workers provided with statements are significantly more likely to 
save, more certain about their retirement income, and have higher 
satisfaction with their finances relative to those who are not provided 
with any type of financial planning materials. Providing Social 
Security statement through the mail is a simple policy that could help 
many workers, hopefully leading to better decisions about their 
financial future.
  Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John Larson and 
Ways and Means Committee Member Vern Buchanan are introducing the 
companion bill in the House of Representatives. We have received 
letters of endorsement from AARP, the Coalition for Paper Options, 
Justice in Aging, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security 
and Medicare, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Social Security Works, The 
Arc of the United States and The Senior Citizens League. I ask that the 
letters be included in the Record following my remarks.
  I hope my colleagues in the Senate will join us and cosponsor the 
Know Your Social Security Act. Together, we can work towards better 
retirement outcomes for all Americans.

                                                         AARP,

                                 Washington, DC, December 5, 2019.
     Hon. Ron Wyden,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Finance,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Bill Cassidy,
     Committee on Finance,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Ranking Member Wyden and Senator Cassidy: On behalf of 
     our nearly 38 million members and all older Americans 
     nationwide, AARP is pleased to endorse the Know Your Social 
     Security Act. This bipartisan bill would once again place 
     vital, paper Social Security statements in the hands of 
     millions of Americans, to help them more effectively plan for 
     retirement, identify fraud and correct earnings records, and 
     better understand their stake in Social Security.
       The Social Security statement is an essential financial 
     planning tool that provides key information on an 
     individual's earnings and payroll tax contributions record, 
     as well as an estimate of their earned monthly benefits. When 
     Social Security sends this statement through the mail, more 
     Americans are able to better plan for their future, not only 
     due to an increased understanding of their Social Security 
     benefits, but also any gaps in their current retirement plan. 
     Having a hard copy of your Social Security statement also 
     allows an individual to spot and correct errors or even to 
     detect outright fraud. Finding and correcting these errors in 
     a timely manner will save workers and the Social Security 
     Administration frustration, time and money. Finally, when 
     Americans receive an annual statement in the mail, it helps 
     them better understand the importance of Social Security as 
     part of their overall retirement plan. Paper statements are 
     annual reminders, especially to younger workers, that they 
     have contributed to Social Security and have earned a stake 
     in the program.
       AARP believes strongly that all Americans, unless they opt-
     out, should have access to their Social Security statements 
     via mail. We are pleased to endorse the Know Your Social 
     Security Act to once again place vital, paper statements in 
     the hands of millions of Americans. If you have any 
     questions, please feel free to contact me, or have your staff 
     contact Tom Nicholls on our Government Affairs staff at 
     [email protected] or (202) 434-3765.
           Sincerely,

                                      Cristina Martin Firvida,

            Vice President, Federal Financial Security & Consumer 
                                                          Affairs,
     Government Affairs.
                                  ____



                              The Coalition for Paper Options,

                                 Washington, DC, December 5, 2019.
     Hon. John Larson,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Vern Buchanan,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Ron Wyden,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Bill Cassidy,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representatives Larson, Buchanan and Senators Wyden 
     and Cassidy: The Coalition for Paper Options--an alliance of 
     consumer organizations, labor unions, rural advocates, and 
     print communications industry leaders is pleased to support 
     today's introduction of the bipartisan Know Your Social 
     Security Act. Introduced in both the House and Senate, the 
     bill would require the Social Security Administration to 
     reinstate the mailing of annual Statement of Earnings until 
     such time as a wage earner establishes an on line account.
       The annual Statement, which summarizes each wage earner's 
     recorded earnings and projects future retirement benefits, 
     has been hailed as one of the most important financial 
     planning tools that most Americans will ever see, yet the 
     Social Security Administration stopped sending these 
     statements to workers in 2017 without any congressional 
     oversight. A report released in February 2019 by the Social 
     Security Administration's Inspector General highlights a 
     tremendous decline in overall access since the primarily 
     online-only policy took place.
       The Know Your Social Security Act would reinstate the 
     mailing of the Statements until a wage earner accesses their 
     account through the my Social Security online portal. This 
     would allow the Social Security Administration to economize 
     as online participation grows, but it would not force 
     citizens into online access before they choose or are able to 
     manage it.
       CPO's diverse network of allies includes: Consumer Action, 
     Social Security Works, the National Consumers League, the 
     National Grange, the National Association of Letter Carriers, 
     as well as leading organizations in the paper and print 
     communications industry is pleased to endorse this important 
     legislation and offer our full support.
           Regards,
                                                      John Runyan,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____



                                             Justice in Aging,

                                 Washington, DC, December 4, 2019.
       Dear Representatives Larson and Buchanan, and Senators 
     Wyden and Cassidy: Justice in Aging endorses the bipartisan 
     Know Your Social Security Act, which would reaffirm SSA's 
     obligation to send Social Security statements by mail to all 
     workers each year. This legislation would clarify SSA's duty 
     and ensure that workers understand the Social Security 
     benefits they are earning over time.
       Many people are not fully aware of the level of Social 
     Security benefits they could receive when they retire, nor do 
     they realize the Social Security benefits available for 
     themselves and their family members in the event that they 
     experience a disability that limits their capacity to work, 
     or in the event that they pass away leaving a spouse, young 
     children, or other eligible survivors. The Know Your Social 
     Security Act would provide this important information, as 
     required, to ensure that workers know what benefits are 
     available to them and their loved ones, allowing them to 
     better plan for retirement as they age.
       We believe it is not only SSA's obligation to send these 
     statements, but that it is vital to the well-being of workers 
     who need to be fully informed about their potential Social 
     Security benefits in order to make decisions about their own 
     working lives, and their retirement. While those who choose 
     to get this information electronically and decline a paper 
     statement have clearly demonstrated their awareness of the 
     benefits they may receive in the future, others who do not 
     make this choice should receive the statement in the mail as 
     required under the law. For these reasons, Justice in Aging 
     supports this bill.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Tracey Gronniger,
     Director of Economic Security.
                                  ____

                                   National Committee to Preserve,


                                   Social Security & Medicare,

                                 Washington, DC, December 4, 2019.
     Hon. John B. Larson,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways 
         and Means, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Vern Buchanan,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Ron Wyden,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Finance,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Bill Cassidy, M.D.,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Larson, Congressman Buchanan, Ranking Member 
     Wyden and Senator Cassidy: On behalf of the millions of 
     members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve 
     Social Security and Medicare, I am writing to endorse your 
     bill, the Know Your Social Security Act. This important 
     legislation requires the Social Security Administration to 
     resume annual mailing of Social Security statements to all of 
     the estimated 150 million American workers who are eligible 
     to receive them, and have not otherwise accessed them through 
     their My SSA account.
       For nearly a decade now, SSA has unilaterally nullified 
     section 1143 of the Social Security Act by refusing to mail 
     annual statements to workers, even though section 1143 is 
     unambiguously clear that such statements are required. The 
     Know Your Social Security Act clarifies that mailings are 
     required, a measure that is deeply appreciated by our 
     members.
       The Social Security statement is one of the many enduring 
     legacies left to the nation by one of its most distinguished 
     lawmakers, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York. He 
     regarded the statement as a simple and efficient way of 
     building public

[[Page S6892]]

     support and understanding for Social Security. Not 
     surprisingly, Senator Moynihan's simple, common sense 
     amendment worked as intended while SSA was producing the 
     statements each year. In fact, the bipartisan Social Security 
     Advisory Board of 10 years ago found that SSA's own survey 
     data showed ``. . . a link between increasing public 
     confidence and receipt of a statement. People who receive a 
     statement not only experience higher knowledge of Social 
     Security than non-recipients, but also exhibit greater 
     confidence that the program still will be there for them when 
     they need it.''
       The statement also raises workers' awareness of the need 
     for retirement planning by focusing attention on their future 
     retirement income. It brings clarity to an often confusing 
     and perplexing subject by providing a starting point: the 
     individual's estimated Social Security benefits, whether 
     retirement, survivors or disability insurance. From there, 
     workers can determine how much more they need to save for the 
     future. Because the statements were intended to reach people 
     early in their working lives, they provided an invaluable 
     service.
       Another important function of the Social Security 
     statement, if it were to be delivered annually as Congress 
     intended, would be to enable workers to determine the 
     accuracy of the wage records maintained by SSA for each 
     worker. As the statement indicates, workers are encouraged to 
     review the chart showing their reported wages, comparing the 
     amounts reflected on SSA's records with information from the 
     worker's own records. Workers are further advised that only 
     they can perform this function and that they should report 
     discrepancies to SSA as soon as possible.
       We have been especially concerned that, with the suspension 
     of statements to all but those who are approaching retirement 
     age, few workers have been able to check the accuracy of 
     SSA's wage records. The annual statement, when it was being 
     provided, helped to assure that if errors were made in the 
     reporting of wages that they could be quickly discovered and 
     corrected while the required evidence would still be readily 
     at hand. Since SSA has suspended the statements now for 
     nearly a decade, we are concerned that many errors in SSA's 
     records will go undetected and that some workers' benefits 
     will be reduced as a result.
       As mentioned earlier, one function performed by annual 
     distribution of Social Security statements was to inform 
     workers of the kinds of benefits that are provided by Social 
     Security. The statements focused on retirement, survivors, 
     and disability benefits. In other words, the statements were 
     an invaluable annual tutorial of what Social Security is all 
     about. And knowledge about Social Security is vitally 
     important to the successful functioning of the program. We 
     see that reflected in recent work that finds that one reason 
     for the seemingly inexplicable recent decline in disability 
     applications is related to the suspension of the statements. 
     Clearly, restoration of annual production and mailing of the 
     annual statements, as is required in the Know Your Social 
     Security Act, is long overdue.
       When it was being mailed to all eligible workers, the 
     Social Security statement was able to play a critical role in 
     building and strengthening public confidence in Social 
     Security. It provided workers with the only meaningful pre-
     retirement information that they ever received about the 
     program and the benefits they could expect when they retire 
     or otherwise qualify for benefits. SSA's decision to end 
     annual mailings has harmed many workers. It is time for SSA 
     to undo this harmful decision and to follow the clear, 
     unambiguous requirements of the law to mail statements to all 
     eligible workers. We applaud you for your leadership in 
     introducing the Know Your Social Security Act, and look 
     forward to working with you to enact this important measure.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Max Richtman,
     President and CEO.
                                  ____



                                Paralyzed Veterans of America,

                                 Washington, DC, December 5, 2019.
     Hon. Ron Wyden,
     Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Bill Cassidy,
     Senate Finance Committee,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. John Larson,
     Chairman, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, House 
         of Representatives, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Vern Buchanan,
     Ways and Means Committee,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators Wyden and Cassidy, Chairman Larson and 
     Representative Buchanan: Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) 
     is pleased to support the Know Your Social Security Act. PVA 
     is the nation's only Congressionally chartered veterans 
     service organization solely dedicated to representing 
     veterans with spinal cord injuries and/or disorders. Many of 
     our members are among the nine million veterans who receive 
     Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Others are 
     among the millions of veterans and military service members 
     and their families who will at some point in their lives 
     benefit from the system.
       For many years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) 
     issued paper earnings and benefits statements that helped to 
     inform people about their status under Social Security and 
     what they might expect to receive in retirement or in the 
     event of a catastrophic disability. When SSA suspended that 
     practice in favor of disseminating the statements only 
     online, it meant that people who lack internet access or who 
     prefer not to set up an internet account lost access to that 
     information. These Americans are then denied knowing about 
     what they have accumulated on their earnings record, what 
     their retirement benefits might be, what they might receive 
     in spousal benefits, or the fact they qualify for disability 
     or survivor benefits.
       As we understand, your bill will clarify that the existing 
     requirement in the Social Security Act for SSA to provide an 
     annual Social Security Statement means providing this 
     document by mail. The bill also clarifies that SSA may 
     provide an on-demand electronic statement when an individual 
     chooses electronic delivery. Furthermore, the bill stipulates 
     that SSA has met its requirement to mail an annual statement 
     if individuals have accessed their statements electronically 
     in the prior year and have declined to receive their 
     statements by mail for that year.
       This will be a very helpful measure for millions of 
     Americans. PVA thanks you for introducing the Know Your 
     Social Security Act and urges Congress to do all it can to 
     quickly pass this bipartisan legislation this year.
           Sincerely,

                                               Heather Ansley,

                                     Associate Executive Director,
     Government Relation.
                                  ____



                                        Social Security Works,

                                 Washington, DC, December 5, 2019.
     Hon. Ron Wyden,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. John Larson,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Bill Cassidy,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Vern Buchanan,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Wyden, Senator Cassidy, Chairman Larson, and 
     Representative Buchanan: We strongly endorse your new 
     legislation, the Know Your Social Security Act. Your bill 
     clarifies the important law Congress passed in 1989 requiring 
     the Social Security Administration (SSA) to mail Social 
     Security earnings statements to those earning benefits with 
     every paycheck.
       When the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan introduced 
     the original earnings statement legislation in 1988, he 
     explained one of the reasons mailing these statements is so 
     crucial:
       ``All of us pay into Social Security but rarely, until we 
     become beneficiaries, do we ever hear from Social Security . 
     . . every month, in every paycheck, we see money withheld for 
     Social Security, but we hear nary a word from the Social 
     Security Administration. Let us take this simple step 
     [mailing Social Security earnings statements] to reassure 
     Americans that Social Security will be there for them . . .''
       Social Security earnings statements help families plan for 
     the future. The statements educate and inform working 
     families of the kinds of benefits they are earning. 
     Crucially, they allow workers to identify and correct their 
     earnings records in a timely way, when mistakes are made.
       Your wise legislation clarifies that these vital statements 
     are to be mailed automatically each year. Distressingly, more 
     and more private and public services are being shifted to 
     individuals. This should not happen with Social Security. As 
     technology continues to progress, there is a tendency for 
     administrators to lean more on its capabilities and move 
     communications with consumers and constituents online. 
     Electronic communication is, no doubt, desired in many 
     situations. However, the most important financial documents, 
     including the Social Security earnings statements, should 
     default to postal mail as intended by the original law.
       That the earnings statements be mailed is vital for 
     everyone, including those who have access to high speed 
     computing. Of course, not everyone even has this kind of 
     access. For example, a 2018 Pew Research Survey found that 
     one in four Americans living in rural areas lack reliable 
     access to high speed internet service. Other polling found 
     that Americans, even those between ages 18 and 29, prefer not 
     to receive important information from SSA online.
       We applaud your effort to clarify the requirement that 
     annual Social Security earnings statements be mailed. We are 
     confident that the Know Your Social Security Act will help 
     strengthen Social Security. We look forward to working with 
     you to see this excellent bipartisan legislation become law 
     quickly.
           Sincerely,
     Nancy J. Altman,
       President.
     Alex Lawson,
       Executive Director.

[[Page S6893]]

     
                                  ____
                                                      The Arc,

                                                 December 4, 2019.
     Representative Larson,
     Washington, DC.
     Senator Wyden,
     Washington, DC.
     Representative Buchanan,
     Washington, DC.
     Senator Cassidy,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Larson, Representative Buchanan, 
     Senator Wyden, and Senator Cassidy: The Arc of the United 
     States writes in support of the Know Your Social Security 
     Act. The Arc is the largest national community-based 
     organization advocating for people with intellectual and 
     developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.
       Social Security statements are a crucial tool to help 
     recipients plan for their future by providing accurate 
     information about their earnings and future benefits. In 
     addition, the statement raises awareness about all Social 
     Security benefits, including about the Disability and 
     Survivors Insurance that helps many people with I/DD. It also 
     allows claimants to ensure that their earnings records are 
     accurate.
       We are concerned that recent changes that the Social 
     Security Administration has made to only mail paper 
     statements to a limited population means that many people are 
     not receiving this crucial information. While the information 
     may be available via the My Social Security website, less 
     than half of registered users of the website checked their 
     statements in 2018. In addition, low income households are 
     less likely to have internet access at home and be able to 
     access the website, despite the importance of Social Security 
     benefits to these households; using library or other public 
     internet sources is not advised due to the highly private 
     nature of the information and the risk of identity theft. 
     Without mailed statements, those households may have no 
     access to the crucially important information about their 
     Social Security benefits in the statement necessary to plan 
     for their futures.
       For these reasons, we strongly support the Know Your Social 
     Security Act. Please contact Bethany Lilly at 
     [email protected] with any questions, or if you would like to 
     further discuss these issues.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Bethany Lilly,
     Director of Income Policy.
                                  ____



                                   The Senior Citizens League,

                                 Alexandria, VA, December 4, 2019.
     Hon. Vern Buchanan,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Bill Cassidy,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. John Larson,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Ron Wyden,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressmen Buchanan, Congressman Larson, Senator 
     Cassidy and Senator Wyden: On behalf of the approximately one 
     million supporters of The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), I 
     would like to thank you for being true champions for Social 
     Security beneficiaries.
       The Senior Citizens League lends its enthusiastic support 
     to the ``Know Your Social Security Act''. Every American who 
     pays into Social Security has a right to see a written 
     statement from Social Security to ensure their record is 
     accurate, and to learn the estimated amount of their 
     benefits. A printed record is important for those who do not 
     have the means to routinely access their record 
     electronically and it serves as a critical planning tool for 
     determining the best retirement dates. Regular receipt of 
     these statements serves to remind and educate older workers 
     of the benefits of staying in the workforce. Doing so 
     strengthens retirement benefits, strengthens Social Security 
     and strengthens our national economy.
       As such, TSCL salutes you for introducing legislation that 
     clarifies that the requirement in the Social Security Act for 
     SSA to provide an annual Social Security Statement means 
     providing it by mail. The bill also clarifies that SSA may 
     provide an on-demand statement electronically when the 
     individual chooses electronic delivery for that request; and 
     that SSA has met its requirement to mail an annual Statement 
     if an individual has accessed their Statement electronically 
     in the prior year and has declined to receive their Statement 
     by mail for that year.
       We look forward to informing our supporters about your 
     leadership on this important issue in Congress. In the 
     meantime, if we may be of assistance to you or your staff in 
     any way, please do not hesitate to call upon us. Again, thank 
     you for being a positive voice for America's seniors.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Rick Delaney,
                                                         Chairman.
                                 ______