America’s Top Baby Names

The results are in: Jacob and Sophia are America’s most popular baby names for 2011. This is the 13th year in a row Jacob tops our list for boys and the first year for Sophia, who moved Isabella to number two. There is only one new name in the top 10. Mason rocketed to number two from outside of the top 10 to become the second most popular boys name.

Learn more about America’s most popular baby names, as well as the most popular names by state, by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/babynames.

Social Security Statement Available Online

The popular Social Security Statement is now available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

“Our new online Social Security Statement is simple, easy-to-use, and provides people with estimates they can use to plan for their retirement,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “The online Statement also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the Statement an important financial planning tool. People should get in the habit of checking their online Statement each year, around their birthday, for example.”

So far, more than 500,000 individuals have successfully used the service. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, users are giving the online Statement a score of 88, making it competitive with our other top-rated, best-in-government online services, such as the Retirement Estimator and online retirement application.

Read our press release about the launch of our new online Social Security Statement at www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/ss-online-statement-pr.html. Better yet, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement/ to get yours today and please encourage others to do likewise.

Testimony before Senate Finance Committee

Earlier this month, Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue testified before Congress about the service and value we provide to the American public.

In his testimony, he discussed the agency’s accomplishments the past few years and the resources the agency needs in order to continue providing outstanding public service.

“Our accomplishments demonstrate the direct correlation between funding and service,” Astrue stated.

Read the Commissioner’s congressional testimony and learn more about our annual accomplishments at www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/testimony_051712.html.

Improving Service to Wounded Warriors

We at Social Security take our commitment to military personnel, veterans, and wounded warriors seriously. It is important to give those who have served us the fastest service possible when it comes to decisions on benefit applications.

That is why Social Security has teamed up with the Department of Defense to improve the transfer and sharing of medical information. The collaboration provides improved Social Security access to medical information about wounded warriors who may be eligible for Social Security benefits.

“Receiving electronic medical records for our wounded warriors and other military personnel will significantly shorten the time it takes to make a disability decision,” said Astrue. “This new process will improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of the disability program.”

Please find out more by reading the press release at www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/ssa-dod-hit-pr.html.

There are employment opportunities right now for veterans with at least seven years of experience as a licensed attorney who want to work for Social Security. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently announced that 10-point preference eligible veterans interested in becoming an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and working for Social Security can take the examination now even though the test is closed to all other applicants. More information about this opportunity is available at www.fedshirevets.gov.

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