Nominations and Appointments

Carolyn W. Colvin, Deputy Commissioner of Social Security

On September 24, 2009, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Carolyn W. Colvin to be the Deputy Commissioner of Social Security for the term expiring January 19, 2013. The nomination was received in the Senate and referred to the Finance Committee on October 1, 2009.

Jason J. Fichtner, Deputy Commissioner of Social Security

On June 25, 2008, President Bush announced his intention to nominate Jason J. Fichtner to be the Deputy Commissioner of Social Security for the remainder of a six-year term expiring January 19, 2013. The nomination was received in the Senate and referred to the Finance Committee; no further action was taken. Dr. Fichtner currently serves as SSA's Associate Commissioner for Retirement Policy.

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security

The position has a six-year term. Commissioner Astrue's term runs through January 19, 2013.

02/01/2007 - Confirmed by the Senate
01/24/2007 - Hearing held, Senate Committee on Finance

Andrew G. Biggs, Deputy Commissioner of Social Security

The position has a six-year term. As a result of a recess appointment, Dr. Biggs was sworn in as Deputy Commissioner on April 12, 2007. This term would have expired at the end of the 110th Congress (December 2008). On May 16, 2007, President Bush nominated Dr. Biggs for the position of Deputy Commissioner for the term that would expire January 12, 2013. Dr. Biggs left SSA in February 2008 to become a Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.
 

Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security

The position has a six-year term. Commissioner Barnhart’s term expired January 19, 2007.

Confirmed

Hearing held

James B. Lockhart III, Deputy Commissioner of Social Security

The position has a six-year term. Mr. Lockhart resigned 04/06 to accept a presidential appointment to direct the Office of Federal Enterprise Oversight.

01/25/2002 - Confirmed by the Senate
11/15/2001 - Hearing held, Senate Committee on Finance

Patrick P. O'Carroll Jr., Inspector General of Social Security

Indefinite term; may be replaced by an alternate designation by the President.

Confirmed

Hearing held

The Board of Trustees currently consists of six members. Four members automatically serve by virtue of their positions in the Federal Government for their duration in those positions. They are:

• The Secretary of the Treasury (the Managing Trustee) - Timothy F. Geithner
• The Secretary of Labor - Hilda L. Solis
• The Secretary of Health and Human Services - Kathleen Sebelius
• The Commissioner of Social Security - Michael J. Astrue

The other two members are appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate and serve 4-year terms:

• Charles Blauhaus and Robert Reischauer were nominated by President Obama on October 14, 2009, for 4-year terms.

More about the Board of Trustees.
 

The Social Security Advisory Board is an independent, seven-member bipartisan board created by Congress. The Board is appointed by the President and the Congress to advise the President, the Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security on matters related to the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs. The current members are:

• Sylvester J. Schieber, Chairman (term ends January 2009)
• Dorcas Hardy (term ends September 2010)
• Barbara Kennelly (term ends September 2011)
• Marsha Katz (term ends September 2012)
• Dana K. Bilyeu of Nevada (term ends September 2010)
• Mark J. Warshawsky of Maryland (term ends September 2012).