SSA Commissioners

Michelle King

January 20, 2025- February 16, 2025

Michelle King was named the Deputy Commissioner for Operations (DCO) in May 2023. In this role, Michelle is responsible for a nationwide network of over 1,200 field offices, 7 Social Security Card Centers, 24 national call centers, 8 processing centers, 10 regional offices, 52 State Disability Determination Services that adjudicate disability claims, and 6 Federal Benefit Field Regions around the world that provide service to the public and help administer the agency’s Retirement, Disability, and Supplemental Security Income programs and other services. These programs and services affect individuals at several points in their lives - from birth, to entering the workforce, to facing a disability or loss, and to retirement; and help ensure over 70 million beneficiaries and recipients receive over $1 trillion in benefits each year.

Michelle began her career with the agency as a bilingual Claims Representative in 1994 and in the Sterling, Illinois field office. In 1998, she moved to the agency’s headquarters and began working in the Office of Public Service and Operations Support (OPSOS). Michelle held various positions of increasing responsibility in OPSOS; and, in 2007, she was appointed to the Senior Executive Service as the Deputy Associate Commissioner for OPSOS. Michelle was the lead Executive for the Ready Retirement initiative from 2007–2009, developing the agency’s online retirement, disability, and Medicare application, iClaim.

During her career, Michelle has also held executive positions in the Office of Retirement and Disability Policy and the Office of Budget, Finance, and Management (BFM). Immediately prior to returning to Operations as DCO, Michelle was the Deputy Commissioner for BFM and the agency’s Chief Financial Officer.

Michelle earned her Masters of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University in 1997 with a concentration in Public Policy and Organizational Development. She graduated cum laude with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 1993 and earned a minor in Speech Communications.

Michelle has a Public Leadership Certificate from Harvard’s Kennedy School and an Executive Leadership certificate from American University. She is also a graduate of the Duke Executive Leadership and the Federal Executive Institute’s Leadership in a Democratic Society programs.

Michelle resides in Columbia, Maryland with her husband George and golden retrievers, Sparky, Sophie Rose, and Bumble, and her cat, Smokey. Michelle enjoys many fitness activities, including cycling, swimming, weight/resistance training, yoga, and spending time outdoors. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Baltimore.