Providing an Order of Succession Within the Social Security Administration

In simple terms

This memorandum establishes a new order of succession for the Social Security Administration, specifying which officials would act as Commissioner if both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner become unable to serve. It revokes the prior 2008 succession memorandum and lists five officials in priority order, with exceptions for acting officials and preservation of presidential discretion.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 63805

Record & deadlines

Oct 17, 2014Signed
Signed by the President
Oct 24, 2014FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 79 FR 63805
Federal Register PDF
Date TBD
Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

Establish order of succession: Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Deputy Commissioner for Budget/Finance/Quality/Management, Deputy Commissioner for Systems, Regional Commissioner Atlanta, Regional Commissioner Dallas
Revoke 2008 memorandum
Exclude acting officials from succession by virtue of acting service
Require eligibility under Federal Vacancies Reform Act
Preserve presidential discretion to depart from memorandum
Publish in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Commissioner of the Social Security Administration · Social Security Administration

Prior policyRollback

revokePresidential Memorandum of October 17, 2008 (Designation of Officers of the Social Security Administration to Act as the Commissioner of Social Security)

What to expect

Immediate

New order of succession takes effect upon signing
Prior 2008 memorandum revoked

Near term (90d)

Publication in Federal Register

Long term

Continuity of SSA operations in emergency or vacancy scenarios

Risks & tensions

Low-profile but important for government continuity; no explicit deadline for Federal Register publication creates minor uncertainty