Priority Open Recommendations: Social Security Administration

Summary

What GAO Found In May 2025, GAO identified three priority recommendations for the Social Security Administration (SSA). Since then, SSA has not implemented any of those recommendations. In June 2026, GAO identified one additional priority recommendation, bringing the total number to four. GAO is highlighting the following three areas that warrant timely and focused attention: Preventing potential overpayments, Making service delivery more efficient, and Managing information technology (IT) investments cost-effectively. Addressing GAO's recommendations in these areas would better position SSA to strengthen internal controls to prevent potential overpayments of Disability Insurance benefits, improve access for individuals applying online for Social Security benefits, and make sound strategic IT investment decisions and identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings. Taking action to implement all of GAO's open priority recommendations would help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of SSA's operations. Why GAO Did This Study Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or make progress toward addressing a high risk or duplication issue, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations. For more information, contact Cindy Brown Barnes at brownbarnesc@gao.gov.