1994-96 Advisory Council Report

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COUNCIL ON
SOCIAL SECURITY

(Section 706 of the Social Security Act)

Advisory Council on Social Security1

Sec. 706. (a) During 1969 (but not before February 1, 1969) and every fourth year thereafter (but not before February 1 of such fourth year), the Secretary shall appoint an Advisory Council on Social Security for the purpose of reviewing the status of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund in relation to the long-term commitments of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the programs under parts A and B of title XVIII, and of reviewing the scope of coverage and the adequacy of benefits under, and all other aspects of, these programs, including their impact on the public assistance programs under this Act.

(b) Each such council shall consist of a chairman and 12 other persons, appointed by the Secretary without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service. The appointed members shall, to the extent possible, represent organizations of employers and employees in equal numbers, and represent self-employed persons and the public.

(c)(1) Any council appointed hereunder is authorized to engage such technical assistance, including actuarial services, as may be required to carry out its functions and the Secretary shall, in addition, make available to such council such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance and such actuarial and other pertinent data prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services as it may require to carry out such functions.

(2) Appointed members of any such council, while serving on business of the council (inclusive of travel time) shall receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding $100 per day and, while so serving away from their homes or regular places of business, they may be allowed travel expenses, including per them in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons in the government employed intermittently.

(d) Each such council shall submit reports (including any in terim reports such council may have issued) of its findings and recommendations to the Secretary not later than January 1 of the second year after the year in which it is appointed, and such reports and recommendations shall thereupon be transmitted to the Congress and to the board of trustees of each of the trust funds. The reports required by this subsection shall include-

1/ P.L. 103-296, Section 108(a)(2), repealed Section 706, except with respect to the Advisory Council on Social Security appointed in 1994.

    (1) a separate report with respect to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II and of the taxes imposed under sections 1401(a), 3101(a), and 3111(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954,

    (2) a separate report with respect to the hospital insurance pro gram under part A of title XVIII and of the taxes imposed by sections 1401(b), 3101(b), and 3111(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and

    (3) a separate report with respect to the supplementary medi cal insurance program established by part B of title XVIII and of the financing thereof. After the date of the transmittal to the Congress of the reports required by this subsection, the council shall cease to exist.

(e) No Advisory Council on Social Security shall be appointed under subsection (a) in 1985 (or any subsequent year prior to 1989).