ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13210Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13210

President's Commission To Strengthen Social Security

Economy & LaborEconomy & LaborDemocracy & GovernanceDemocracy & GovernanceFederal WorkforceFederal Workforce

In simple terms

This executive order establishes a bipartisan 16-member commission to recommend Social Security reforms, including voluntary personal retirement accounts, while protecting current retirees' benefits. The commission must submit an interim report and a final report by fall 2001, after which it terminates within 30 days.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 22895

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 66 FR 22895

    Federal Register PDF

  3. Final report submission during fall 2001

  4. Commission termination 30 days after final report

Key directives

  • Establish 16-member bipartisan commission with no more than 8 from same party
  • Appoint two co-chairs from different political parties
  • Submit interim report describing challenges and evaluation criteria
  • Submit final report during fall 2001 with recommendations including personal retirement accounts
  • Terminate commission 30 days after final report submission
  • SSA to provide administrative support and funding
  • Executive branch agencies to provide office space, analytical support, and staff as directed

Who is ordered

What to expect

Immediate

  • Commission established
  • President to appoint 16 members and 2 co-chairs from different parties
  • Social Security Administration to provide administrative support and funding

Near term (90d)

  • Interim report due (timing unspecified, but before fall 2001 final report)
  • Public hearings to be held at co-chairs' call
  • Congressional briefings and input procedures to be determined

Long term

  • Final report due during fall 2001
  • Commission terminates 30 days after final report submission
  • Potential Social Security restructuring if recommendations adopted

Risks & tensions

  • Fall 2001 deadline is vague—no specific date or day count given, creating uncertainty for planning
  • Principle (f) mandating personal retirement accounts may constrain bipartisan consensus given partisan divides on privatization
  • Principle (b) on dedicating surplus to Social Security only conflicts with historical congressional practice of using surplus for other spending
  • No enforcement mechanism if President or Congress rejects recommendations
  • Post-9/11 political environment may divert attention from Social Security reform
Executive Order 13210: President's Commission To Strengthen Social Security · Executive Orders