Assessment of Social Security Reporting in the SIPP Compared with Administrative Records: 2013-2020

Abstract Number:

2056 

Submission Type:

Contributed Abstract 

Contributed Abstract Type:

Paper 

Participants:

Zachary Scherer (1), Katherine Giefer (1)

Institutions:

(1) US Census Bureau, N/A

Co-Author:

Katherine Giefer  
US Census Bureau

First Author:

Zachary Scherer  
US Census Bureau

Presenting Author:

Zachary Scherer  
N/A

Abstract Text:

Past research has shown that survey misreporting can potentially bias income estimates. Measurement of Social Security income faces additional challenges as respondents may be confused about the concept of gross versus net value of Social Security. Building on past work, this paper links 2013-2020 data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to administrative data from the Social Security Administration to explore the accuracy with which respondents report: 1) annual Social Security receipt; 2) number of months of income received; and 3) monthly payment amounts. This final component will explore whether respondents are reporting their gross Social Security income (as the survey item asks), or the size of the check that they actually receive (net of any deductions for Medicare premiums). Results will inform how questions could be reworded to improve measurement, and whether administrative records could be used to augment survey reports in advance of upcoming redesigns of the SIPP instrument and edits.

Keywords:

Administrative Records|Social Security|Medicare|Record Linkage|Data Quality|

Sponsors:

Government Statistics Section

Tracks:

Administrative Records

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