SSA OIG Highlights Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Priorities and Oversight Impact Before Congressional Subcommittees
Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit and First Assistant for the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), submitted written testimony for the record on June 10, 2026 pertaining to the U.S. House of Representativces Committee on Ways and Means Joint Social Security and Work & Welfare Subcommittee Hearing with the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Frank J. Bisignano regarding SSA OIG’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget request and oversight priorities.
In her testimony, Anderson emphasized SSA OIG’s critical role in protecting Social Security programs through independent audits, investigations, and anti-fraud initiatives that safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure benefits reach eligible beneficiaries.
“Social Security is a cornerstone of economic security for more than 72 million Americans—retirees, people with disabilities, survivors, and their families,” Anderson said. “Our independent audits and investigations identify weaknesses, recommend improvements, and protect taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse. This oversight is critical to maintaining public trust and ensuring benefits reach those who need them most.”
The President’s FY 2027 Budget requests $114.7 million in direct appropriations for SSA OIG, including $2 million for information technology modernization, as well as $25.1 million to support SSA OIG’s leadership of the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Program.
Anderson highlighted SSA OIG’s strong return on investment, noting that in FY 2025 the OIG returned approximately $16 for every $1 appropriated. During that year, SSA OIG audits identified about $708 million in questioned costs and nearly $975 million in funds that could be put to better use, while investigations resulted in 566 criminal convictions and almost $332 million in monetary accomplishments.
The testimony also outlined key FY 2027 priorities, including combating improper payments, strengthening disability fraud prevention efforts through the CDI Program, addressing emerging threats involving artificial intelligence, protecting beneficiaries from Social Security-related scams, supporting information technology modernization, and conducting oversight related to service delivery and program integrity.
“Every dollar invested in SSA OIG oversight yields substantial savings, strengthens program integrity, and ensures benefits reach those who are truly eligible and depend on Social Security programs,” Anderson stated. “The funding requested in the FY 2027 Budget supports SSA OIG to ensure it remains steadfast in its mission to guarantee accountability and integrity within SSA.”
The full written testimony is available here.
View the PDF here.