SSA Supplement on Retirement, Pensions, and Related Content

Attachment B

SIPP-SSA(L1)2014
(4-2014)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting an important survey on behalf of the Social Security Administration
(SSA) called the SSA Supplement on Retirement, Pensions, and Related Content (SSA Supplement). A
sample of households, including yours, was selected from those that participated in the Census Bureau’s
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) earlier this year.
Within the next week or so, a Census Bureau interviewer will call your household regarding this survey,
which will be conducted over the telephone. The information collected in the SSA Supplement will inform
and aid policymakers in evaluating and planning for the future needs of the Social Security system. I want
you to know that your household’s participation in this survey is extremely valuable and greatly
appreciated.
Your household’s participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data. Because
the SSA Supplement is a sample survey, your answers represent not only you and your household, but
also thousands of other households like yours. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any
question in this voluntary survey, each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the
results.
We conduct this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 8(b). Section 9 of this
law requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest confidence. Every
Census Bureau employee, from the Director to every telephone interviewer, has taken an oath to uphold
this confidentiality. If an employee discloses any information that identifies you or your household, he or
she is subject to a prison term, a fine, or both. SSA employees are also required by law to maintain the
confidentiality of all information collected in this survey.
Additional information about this survey is explained on the back of this letter. For more information on how
the SSA uses the data from this survey, contact: Nick Love, Social Security Administration,
at 202–358–6049.
Thank you for your participation. I am grateful for your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

Why is the Census Bureau collecting this information for SSA?
The SSA is an active user of the SIPP public use data. Although the SIPP is conducted annually, some
information that SSA utilizes is not included in that survey. A one-time supplemental survey provides the
needed information, and reduces respondent burden in the SIPP. The Supplement asks questions about
complete marital history, individual retirement plans, employer based retirement and pension plans, and
disabilities affecting work and daily living.
The SSA will use this information to create a picture of the economic and social situation of people with
disabilities, and people in or approaching retirement. The SSA needs this information to make informed
decisions about policies and programs that will affect older or disabled Americans. Your voluntary
participation is essential to ensure that this survey’s results are complete and accurate.
How do I know the Census Bureau will protect my information?
The law authorizes the Census Bureau, on behalf of SSA, to collect information for this survey (Title 13,
United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 8(b), and Section 1110 [42 U.S.C 1310] (a)(1) of the
Social Security Act.). Section 9 of Title 13 requires us to keep all information about you and your
household strictly confidential. The Census Bureau will use this information only for statistical summaries,
from which no individual can be identified. Everyone who has access to your responses is subject to a
prison term, a fine up to $250,000, or both, if any information is revealed that identifies you or your
household.
How will this Survey benefit me?
Although it may be difficult to see how the results of the survey will benefit you directly, the information
will be used by the SSA to help establish policy relating to Social Security retirement and disability
programs and the Supplemental Security Income program. The SSA will be able to use the results to
help evaluate programs and develop policies that are designed to aid all Americans, whether they are of
retirement age now or will be in the future.
How much time will the survey take?
We estimate that it will take about 30 minutes per person to collect the information. This includes time for
reviewing the instructions and completing and reviewing your answers. The interview may be somewhat
shorter or longer than 30 minutes depending on each person’s circumstances. You may send comments
regarding time estimates or any other aspect of this data collection process, including suggestions for
reducing this burden, to Paperwork Reduction Project XXXX-XXXX, U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill
Road, Room 3K138, Washington, DC 20233. You may also e-mail comments to
; use “Paperwork Project XXXX-XXXX” as the subject.
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved this survey and gave it OMB approval number
XXXX-XXXX; the expiration date is ____________. Displaying this number shows that the Census Bureau is
authorized to conduct this survey. Please use this number in any correspondence concerning this survey.

SIPP-SSA(L1)(2014)