The Social Security Administration currently has 1,248 offices around the country. This seems like a lot of offices, but the recent trend is to eliminate offices more than increasing the number of offices, even as the population continues to grow.
Ten years ago there were 1,330 Social Security offices across the country, so the trend to reduce the number of offices in coming years is likely to continue.
Recently, Congress asked the Social Security Administration to report on its policies for closing and consolidating Social Security field offices. This report, which was released May 12, 2014, indicates that the way customers are applying for benefits and seeking information has changed, so there is not as much need for as many local offices as there used to be.
A decade ago Social Security did not offer any way to apply for benefits online, but that has changed. Applicants now have the ability to apply for benefits online at www.ssa.gov. Approximately 45 percent of all applications in 2013 were filed online, and as technology and demographics continue to change that number only promises to increase in future years.
When applicants file online there is no need for them to visit a local Social Security office. In the past, that is how the majority of applicants applied for benefits, by visiting their local Social Security office. Social Security also offers the option of applying for benefits over the phone.
Although many people will see the closings or consolidations of Social Security offices as a bad thing because less people may be able to have face-to-face contact with their local office, considerable taxpayer savings have been achieved. Since Social Security reduced its number of field offices 10 years ago, it has been estimated that Social Security has saved $4 million over the last 10 years. For more information about the report, click here.
