The SSA administers the nation's Social Security programs: Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), plus the means-tested Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. It issues Social Security numbers, maintains workers' lifetime earnings records, and pays monthly benefits to retirees, people with disabilities, and the families of deceased workers. Tens of millions of Americans receive payments through it each month.
Created by Congress under the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-296, 108 Stat. 1464; 42 U.S.C. 901-902 (independent-agency status effective Mar. 31, 1995)), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.
