Social Security Seeks Comments on Worker Earnings Forms Update
Published Date: 6/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Social Security Administration wants your thoughts on some forms they use to check workers’ earnings and benefits. They’re updating these forms to make sure they’re clear, useful, and not too much work for employers and others who fill them out. If you have ideas or concerns, send your comments by July 17, 2025, so they can keep things running smoothly without wasting time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Online eSignature upload: big shift to digital submissions
SSA's eSignature/Upload Documents portal (national rollout April 2024) lets first‑party individuals submit 71 forms and 79 evidence types electronically, including dynamic webforms and an electronic signature option; SSA estimates 115,369 internet-based submissions with 9,614 total annual burden hours and a theoretical opportunity cost of $1,569,966. SSA also accepts Commercial Product Alternative Signatures for eight named forms and requires individuals to retain the digital certificate for at least three years.
Foreign pension questionnaire may reduce benefits
Title II beneficiaries who received a foreign (non‑covered) pension before January 2024 must complete Form SSA-308 so SSA can determine how much that foreign pension reduces their Social Security retirement or disability benefit under the Windfall Elimination Provision. SSA estimates 2,081 respondents, 1,041 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $41,456.
Employers: 30-minute wage form burden
If SSA cannot find a worker's wages in its records, it may send employers Form SSA-7011-F4 to verify alleged wages. SSA estimates 750 employers will each spend about 30 minutes (total 375 hours) completing this form, with a theoretical opportunity cost of $12,248.
Claimants abroad: form SSA-21 time burden
People living outside the United States for three months or longer who claim Social Security benefits must complete Form SSA-21. SSA estimates 5,280 respondents and a total annual burden of 610 hours with a theoretical opportunity cost of $43,225.
Student beneficiaries: reporting form burden
Student Social Security Title II beneficiaries must use Forms SSA-1383 or SSA-1383-FC to report school attendance and events affecting benefits. SSA estimates 8,715 respondents with a total annual burden of 872 hours and a theoretical opportunity cost of $30,545.
OASDI quality review: sampled beneficiary burden
SSA conducts annual quality-review telephone interviews and collects supporting forms from a sample of OASDI beneficiaries or their representative payees. The agency estimates 18,215 sampled contacts with a total annual burden of 2,525 hours and a theoretical opportunity cost of $197,536.
Law firms: provide taxpayer info to receive fees
Law firms or business entities that want to be paid directly by SSA must complete Form SSA-1694 so SSA can issue Form 1099‑MISC and designate entity administrators. SSA estimates 181 respondents, 60 total annual burden hours, and a theoretical opportunity cost of $5,090.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13420, Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Cardiovascular Disorders
The Social Security Administration updated the rules for deciding disability claims related to heart and blood vessel problems for both adults and kids. These changes use the latest medical info and public feedback to make sure decisions are fair and clear. The new rules kick in on October 30, 2026, and could speed up or improve benefit approvals for people with serious heart conditions.
2026-15449, Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request
2026-15448, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
2026-11585, Penalty Inflation Adjustments for Civil Monetary Penalties
Starting June 10, 2026, the Social Security Administration is updating its civil penalty amounts to keep up with inflation. This means fines for breaking certain rules will be a bit higher to match today’s prices. If you deal with SSA rules, watch out—penalties are now adjusted every year to stay fair and current!
2026-11050, Notice on Penalty Inflation Adjustments for Civil Monetary Penalties
The Social Security Administration is keeping civil monetary penalties (fines) at the same 2025 levels through January 14, 2027. This means anyone who might face these fines won’t see increases for now, even though they usually adjust for inflation every year. So, if you’re involved with Social Security rules, the penalty amounts won’t change for a while.
2026-10817, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
This new rule updates how federal financial help is given and managed across many government agencies. It affects anyone who gets federal grants or aid, making the process clearer, fairer, and easier to follow. Changes kick in soon and could impact how money flows and how quickly folks get support.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-11122, Deadline To File a Notice of Intervention
If you want to join a legal case, you need to file your notice of intervention by the deadline set by the Commission. They’re also adding new steps to help everyone gather important information fairly. Don’t miss out—this affects anyone involved and could impact how quickly things move and money matters.
Next: 2025-11124, New Postal Products
The Postal Service just filed a new deal for special mail services, and the Commission is checking it out. This affects businesses and customers who use these special mail options, with possible changes in prices or services soon. Everyone’s invited to share their thoughts before any final decisions are made!