February 15,2024

Wyden Statement on Social Security Proposed Rule to Reduce Overpayments

Washington, D.C. — Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement today after the Social Security Administration (SSA) released a proposed rule to implement electronic wage reporting to help the agency improve the accuracy of payments and reduce reporting requirements for disability beneficiaries:

"If you’re an American living on a fixed income, struggling to balance the food bill against the rent against utilities, you simply can’t afford to pay a large bill to Social Security over a mistake made because the system is too complicated. In 2015, I worked with my House and Senate colleagues to pass bipartisan legislation to streamline the process and significantly reduce overpayments for beneficiaries, but SSA dragged its feet on implementation. During Martin O’Malley’s confirmation process, I made it clear that I wasn't going to stop pressing SSA until the agency addressed the injustice of overpayments, and he committed to make it his top priority. Now, under Commissioner O'Malley's leadership, electronic wage reporting is finally going online, alleviating a huge burden for Americans with disabilities."

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