In January of 2019 former Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue was nominated to be a member of the Social Security Advisory board, but that nomination was withdrawn September 9, 2019. No action was ever taken on Astrue’s nomination and he was never confirmed. There is no news to report why his nomination was withdrawn.
Astrue, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, was sworn in as the new commissioner in February 2007 serving a six-year term until January 2013. As a former commissioner of Social Security, you would think Astrue would be a qualified candidate to serve on the advisory board.
About The Advisory Board
The Social Security Advisory Board is a bipartisan, independent federal government agency established in 1994 to advise the President, the Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security on matters of policy and administration of the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income programs. The Board has seven members, appointed by the President, Senate and House of Representatives.
Functions Of The Board
- Analyzing the Nation’s retirement and disability systems and making recommendations with respect to how the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the supplemental security income program, supported by other public and private systems, can most effectively assure economic security;
- Studying and making recommendations relating to the coordination of programs that provide health security with social security programs;
- Making recommendations to the President and to the Congress with respect to policies that will ensure the solvency of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program, both in the short-term and the long-term;
- Making recommendations with respect to the quality of service that the Administration provides to the public;
- Making recommendations with respect to policies and regulations regarding the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the supplemental security income program;
- Increasing public understanding of the social security system;
- Making recommendations with respect to a long-range research and program evaluation plan for the Administration;
- Reviewing and assessing any major studies of social security as may come to the attention of the Board;
- Making recommendations with respect to such other matters as the Board determines to be appropriate.
