Social Security chief nominee Frank Bisignano vows to run agency “in the right fashion”
President Trump’s nominee to run the Social Security Administration, Frank Bisignano, faced a grilling from Senators during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. The hearing raised concerns about customer service, erroneous payments, and potential interests in privatizing the agency. Some Senators also questioned Bisignano about the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) cost-cutting efforts and access to Americans’ personally identifiable information.
Sen. Ron Wyden highlighted a statement from a former senior SSA employee alleging that Bisignano had been coordinating with DOGE and discussing hiring DOGE employees with SSA personnel. Bisignano denied these claims during the hearing, stating that he had not been involved in discussions with DOGE before his confirmation.
The Social Security Administration plays a crucial role in delivering over $1.6 trillion in benefits annually to 70 million Americans. However, the program is facing financial challenges, with projected benefit cuts starting in 2035 due to spending outpacing income.
Bisignano, the CEO of Fiserv, a financial technology company, emphasized his commitment to technology and service improvements at the SSA. He pledged not to make changes affecting benefit levels but to focus on combating fraud, waste, and abuse within the system. Bisignano plans to leverage artificial intelligence to reduce the current 1% error rate in payments.
The nominee also addressed concerns about protecting Americans’ personal data, reassuring Senators that he would take necessary measures to safeguard the information. When asked about privatization and agency cuts, Bisignano stated that his priority is to run the agency effectively and provide top-notch customer service.
In terms of customer service enhancements, Bisignano emphasized meeting beneficiaries’ needs through phone, in-person, and online support. He highlighted his company’s experience in handling a high volume of calls and expressed his commitment to improving service at the SSA.
Overall, Bisignano’s confirmation hearing shed light on his vision for the Social Security Administration and his plans to address key challenges facing the agency. If confirmed, he will face the task of ensuring the efficient delivery of benefits while safeguarding Americans’ personal data and maintaining high standards of customer service.
