ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officers of the Social Security Administration

This memorandum establishes a formal order of succession for the Social Security Administration, specifying which officials would temporarily assume the Commissioner's duties if both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner become unavailable. It supersedes a 2002 memorandum on the same topic.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 20333

Impact dates

  1. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession: Chief of Staff, then Deputy Commissioner for Operations, then Regional Commissioner Philadelphia, then Regional Commissioner Dallas
  • Exclude acting officials from serving as Commissioner under this memorandum
  • Preserve presidential discretion to depart from this designation under FVRA
  • Supersede May 9, 2002 prior memorandum
  • Publish in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Order of succession takes effect upon signing

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Maintains continuity-of-government planning for SSA

Risks & tensions

  • Limited to four named positions; narrow succession chain may create vulnerability if multiple officials simultaneously unavailable
  • Presidential discretion clause in Section 2(b) creates potential uncertainty about when succession list actually binds
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officers of the Social Security Administration · Executive Orders