The Social Security Bulletin's "Perspectives" section welcomes rigorous, clearly written manuscripts from persons in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as from those in the humanities and in other professions, particularly manuscripts that may have implications for social policy. We are especially interested in receiving scholarly research that contributes to an improved understanding of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI), Disability Insurance (DI), and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs and issues related to their beneficiaries and contributors. We will interpret these subjects broadly and will also consider for publication articles on other countries' social insurance experiences.

The Bulletin is the quarterly research journal of the Social Security Administration. It has a broad readership of policymakers, government officials, academics, graduate and undergraduate students, business people, and other interested nonspecialists. This diverse readership cuts across academic disciplines and includes persons in technical as well as applied fields.

Therefore, when writing for the Bulletin, keep in mind that your audience will include readers who may not be familiar with existing academic literature. Present your material in a clear manner, without jargon. Articles should be factual and analytical, not polemical. You may include technical or mathematical exposition where relevant: findings and conclusions, however, must be written in a straightforward, nontechnical style. And the relevance of your conclusions to public policy should be explicitly stated.

We regard the submission of a manuscript as your implied commitment not to submit the paper to another publication while it is under consideration by the Bulletin. If you have published a related article elsewhere, you should state this in your cover letter to us.

Editorial Policy

The Bulletin's editorial policy regarding items submitted for the "Perspectives" section is comparable with that of other professional journals. Manuscripts will be rejected outright by the "Perspectives" Editor if they have obvious mistakes, are so poorly written that correctness cannot be determined, or are otherwise inappropriate for our journal. In such cases, we will return the manuscript as quickly as possible. Manuscripts accepted for consideration will be sent anonymously to two or more outside referees. The decision to publish will be based primarily on the recommendations of the referees.

Policy on Availability of Data

If your manuscript is accepted for publication, you will be asked to make your data available to others at a reasonable cost for a period of 3 years (starting 6 months after actual publication). Should you want to request an exception from this requirement, you must notify the "Perspectives" Editor when you submit your manuscript. (The use of confidential or proprietary data sets, for example, could prompt an exemption request.) If you do not request an exemption, we will assume that you have accepted this requirement.

Policy on Disclosure

Authors are expected to disclose in their cover letter any potential conflicts of interest that may arise from their consulting or political activities, financial interests, or other nonacademic activities.

Preparing the Manuscript

Manuscripts should typically be less than 10,000 words, including the text, the notes, and the references (and excluding the tables and charts). Type the manuscript on 8.5 by 11 inch white paper, with 1.5-inch margins on all sides. Number each page consecutively (in the bottom center), starting with the Title Page as page 1, and present materials in the order given in the Elements section, below.

Style Guide

Use the Chicago Manual of Style (University of Chicago Press) as a guide for notes, citations, references, and table presentation.

Elements of the Manuscript

Title Page. Include the title of the article, the name of the author(s), the author's affiliation(s), and the author's address; include the name, postal address, e-mail address, fax, and telephone number of the person to whom correspondence should be directed. The Acknowledgments paragraph should also be on this page. In a separate paragraph within the acknowledgments, reveal the source of any financial or research support received in connection with the preparation of the article. Because manuscripts will undergo a double-blind review, remove all other identifying information from the rest of the manuscript before it is submitted. (Once the manuscript has been accepted for publication, you will be responsible for reinserting self-identifying citations and references when you prepare the manuscript for final submission.)

Synopsis. On page 2, reprint the title of the manuscript along with a synopsis (1–3 sentences) of the research question.

Summary. On the third page, start a brief summary (1–2 double-spaced pages) of the article. Describe in nontechnical language the research question, methodology, and findings. You should also discuss the policy implications of the findings.

Text. The actual text of the article should begin on a new page. The text should be prepared in Microsoft Word, printed in 12-point type and double-spaced. Account for all table, chart, and graphic citations, but do not include actual placement within the text.

Notes. Number notes consecutively in the text and designate them using superscripts. Do not use notes for citation purposes, but for brief substantive comments. (See the Chicago Manual of Style for citations.) All notes should be grouped together and printed in 12 point type, single-spaced, starting on a new page.

References. Verify each reference carefully; the references must correspond to the citations in the text. List references alphabetically by the last name of the author(s) and then by year, with the most recent first. Only the first author's name is inverted. List all authors (and avoid using et al. in lieu of authors' names). The name of each author and the title of the citation should be exactly as it appears in the original work. The list of references should start on a new page, and be printed in 12-point type, single-spaced.

Tables. Tables must be prepared in Microsoft Excel or Lotus. When printing the table, use a point size that is easily read. Make sure all tables are referenced in the text. Give each table a number and a title. Number the tables consecutively, in the order they are mentioned in the text. Place each table in a separate file. Notes for tables (including the Source note, which should be presented at the beginning of the table's notes) are independent of the rest of the manuscript and should be ordered using lowercase letters, beginning with the letter a in each chart. The sequence runs from left to right, top to bottom. The order of the notes as they appear below the tables is (1) Source, (2) general notes to the table, if any, and (3) letter notes. They may be single-spaced. Group the tables together and present them after the references.

Charts. Charts or other graphics must be prepared in Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or Excel Chart. Plotting data must be attached to each chart with the final submission. Make sure all charts are referenced in the text. Give each chart a number and a title. Number the charts consecutively, in the order they are mentioned in the text. Place each chart in a separate file. Notes for charts (including the Source note, which should be presented at the beginning of the chart's notes) are independent of the rest of the manuscript and should be ordered using lowercase letters, beginning with the letter a in each chart. The sequence runs from left to right, top to bottom. The order of the notes as they appear below the tables is (1) Source, (2) general notes to the table, if any, and (3) letter notes. They may be single-spaced. Group the charts together and present them last, after the tables.

Accepted Manuscripts

Electronic Copies

After we have notified you that your work has been accepted for publication, e-mail your final revised manuscript to perspectives@ssa.gov. All elements and specifications (as defined herein) must be included with your final submittal. Manuscripts not adhering to guidelines will be determined not ready for publication. Be sure to reinsert any identifying information that you removed initially and include plotting data for each chart.

Editing and Production

Using your electronic manuscript, we will edit the manuscript and forward it directly to the corresponding author for approval. Page proofs will be prepared from the approved copy. The author will be responsible for checking these proofs for completeness and accuracy. Return corrected proofs (together with the original, edited manuscript) to the Managing Editor of the Social Security Bulletin within 3 days of receipt. Corrections may also be sent via e-mail or fax (202-358-6192).

Reprints

We will provide you with up to 150 reprints of each article free of charge.

Abstract

If your article is appropriate to be indexed in the Journal of Economic Literature, include with your final submission an abstract of not more than 150 words. The abstract should be double-spaced, in a separate file, and clearly labeled "JEL Abstract." The abstract should state the purpose of the study, the basic procedures, main findings, and conclusions. Below the abstract, supply 2–6 key words that are not in the title and the JEL classification number.

Copyright

You are responsible for obtaining written permission to publish material for which you do not own the copyright.

Submissions

Submit your manuscript along with a cover letter to perspectives@ssa.gov.

Questions???

If you have questions regarding the mechanics of submitting a manuscript, please contact Karyn Tucker, Managing Editor of the Social Security Bulletin (202-358-6267) (karyn.m.tucker@ssa.gov).

If you have other questions, please contact Mike Leonesio, "Perspectives" Editor (202-358-6247) (perspectives@ssa.gov).