SSAB Releases Issue Brief Covering Representative Payee Trends

Washington, DC - On September 30, 2026, the Social Security Advisory Board released an issue brief analyzing trends among adult Title 2 beneficiaries and SSI recipients with representative payees from 2010 to the present.

The 1939 Amendments to the Social Security Act authorized the Social Security Administration (SSA) to appoint representative payees for beneficiaries who cannot manage their own finances.

SSAB analysis identified the following trends during the 2010-2025 period:

• The Title 2 retired population expanded dramatically, while the percentage of Title 2 retirees with payees declined.
• The steepest decline in percentage of Title 2 retirees with payees occurred among the oldest cohorts.
• The percentage of disabled adults (SSI and Title 2) and SSI-Aged recipients with payees remained stable.
• Advance designation makes SSA's payee selection process more efficient and better aligned to the beneficiary's preferences.

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The Board's mission is to advise the President, Congress, and Commissioner of Social Security on the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs. The Board is comprised of Presidential and Congressional appointees supported by professional staff.