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Social Security Administration

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Social Security Administration reviews

3.0

36% would recommend to a friend

(2,782 total reviews)

Carolyn W. Colvin

34% approve of CEO

23% positive business outlook

Social Security Administration has an employee rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars, based on 2,782 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Social Security Administration employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

3K reviews
2.0
Sep 20, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-You won't ever be laid off/fired unless you do something illegal - which of course means you deserve to be fired! -No one will be sending messages to your blackberry late at night. Because of privacy laws protecting beneficiaries, you will not be tied to (or even have access to) work 24/7 -You can feel good about your job because you are helping people at a time of vulnerability in their lives (retirement, disability, death of a loved one)

Cons

-There is a lot of favoritism and nepotism - Really hard to get promoted because the further up you go, there are less slots, and the first slots always go to someone based on nepotism and favoritism instead of talent. Even if at least seniority played a role, you'd know that there was some experience to go with the promotion. BUT in Boston anyways, this isn't always the case -Work can be monotonous -Your life is unduly affected by people in Congress who suddenly think that government is the cause of all problems and so want to cut back on your salaries (while giving themselves a huge raise). Meanwhile real people's claims don't get processed, people die while waiting for disability benefits because there are less and less people to do more and more work. -Policies/procedures are often set by or influenced by people (like congress) who have never actually done the work

4.0
Sep 18, 2012

Satisfied

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible hours, license to practice law in any state works for the entire federal government, regardless of where you practice. Especially great for work / life balance and people who want to raise families without being chained to a desk. Opportunities for promotion, especially if you are willing to relocate (within the United States).

Cons

It can be difficult to get hired on, but once you get onboarded, there are a lot of benefits, including great healthcare coverage and retirement plans.

2.0
Sep 15, 2012

It's a zoo in there

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

As other reviewers have stated, working for the federal government affords you great job security. Unless you deliberately do something to get fired (cheat on timesheets, use your gov't card for personal purchases, fight on the job, etc.) you will not lose your job. Depending on what organization within SSA you work for, there is some work-life balance. Some management are more understanding than others when it comes to chlld care needs, doctor's appointments and such. The pay and the benefits are decent. It probably pay less than private sector jobs, but in this economy all that matters is that you have good pay to make your monthly expenses and a benefits package to take care of your family. The security measures to protect the agency, the employees and the important data that we handle is second to none. They employ cutting-edge technology to secure the agency, and that helps employs feel they can do their jobs not only safely, but efficiently.

Cons

Some parts of the agency are extremely restrictive -- nickel-and-diming employees on their time, leave and not allowing for flexiplace arrangements (telecommuting). There is a lot of complacency within the agency. You'll often find employees with 30+ years are resistant to change, and that makes it difficult to innovate and create efficiencies. I've never seen so much nepotism in the workplace in my life. Education and experience doesn't count for much at SSA. If you are related to someone there -- someone high up in the food chain -- chances of getting a cushy job and opportunities for promotion are excellent. The agency could do a better job upgrading the systems and equipment employees use to do their jobs. A lot of the equipment is outdated and inefficient. Where I worked in the agency required the use of paper timesheets to track daily time and attendance. A total waste of resources, supplies and time. The massive operation employed to produce the paper sheets, process them and then store them was ridiculous and a complete waste of taxpayers money.

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Glassdoor has 2,926 Social Security Administration reviews submitted anonymously by Social Security Administration employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Social Security Administration is right for you.