Introduction to State Social Security Administration

Question 1

Introduction to State Social Security Administration

Answer 1

I’m a State Social Security Administrator—where do I begin?

For over half a century, Social Security coverage has been available to State and local government employees through a unique Federal-State agreement authorized by Section 218 of the Social Security Act. These agreements, referred to as Section 218 Agreements, represent a mutual commitment to assure that participation in the Social Security program is a viable part of employee benefit programs available to government employees. Today, all States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, as well as numerous interstate instrumentalities, have a Section 218 Agreement with the Social Security Administration. This equates to providing Social Security and Medicare or Medicare-only coverage to approximately 22 million employees.

In order to accommodate this unprecedented need, the Social Security Administration, through regulation 20 CFR 404.1204, requires that each State designate at least one official to act for the State in administering that State’s Section 218 coverage agreement. This official, the State Social Security Administrator, acts for the State with respect to its responsibilities for maintaining and administering the provisions of the agreement. Thus, an enormous responsibility is in the hands of those who find themselves in the position of being a State Social Security Administrator. At times, the role may seem more like a challenge than a privilege, but rest assure, state administrators do not have to go at it alone. Through a cooperative relationship between the National Conference of State Social Security Administrators (NCSSSA) and SSA—every state administrator, both experienced and inexperienced, is guaranteed access to a network of knowledge and resources.

…And there is no better place to get started than through this very website.

So, if you are ready to peek inside the exciting world of being a State Social Security Administrator—please take a day, or two, and browse through the following courses. Don’t worry, if you don’t finish today, they’ll be here tomorrow.

One final reminder: As they say, it is not a matter of IF, but WHEN; so with a little preparation, and a lot of resolve, you will be ready to address any State and local coverage issue WHEN it occurs.