Robert M. Ball

Robert Myers "Bob" Ball (March 28, 1914 – January 29, 2008) was an American Social Security official, who served under three presidents (Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon), from 1962 to 1973, as Commissioner of Social Security.[1] He is the longest-serving head of the Social Security Administration to date.[2] He also founded the National Academy for Social Insurance. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1935, and in 1936 received a master's degree in economics from the same institution.

Bob Ball
Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Acting
In office April 17, 1962 – March 17, 1973
President	John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson Richard Nixon
Preceded by	William L. Mitchell
Succeeded by	Arthur E. Hess (Acting)
Personal details
Born	March 28, 1914 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	January 29, 2008 (aged 93) Mitchellville, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Wesleyan University (BA, MA)
Signature

After working three years in private industry, Mr. Ball joined the field organization of the Bureau of Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (BOASI), predecessor to the present Social Security Administration, in 1939. He held various field jobs, including manager of a New Jersey district office, before transferring to central office. In early 1946, Mr. Ball temporarily left the Bureau to work for the American Council on Education, and then, during part of 1947 and 1948 he served as staff director of the Advisory Council on Social Security to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Mr. Ball returned to BOASI in 1949 as assistant director in charge of the Division of Program Analysis. Three years later he was appointed Deputy Director of BOASI, and between 1953 and 1954 he served as BOASI's Acting Director. In 1962 he was appointed Commissioner of Social Security, a position he held until his retirement in 1973.[3]

In 1947, Ball wrote the key statement defining why social insurance, not welfare, should be America's primary income maintenance program.

The Los Angeles Times quoted Lawrence Thompson, chairman of the National Academy of Social Insurance, as saying, "No individual has done more to advance American social insurance programs than Robert M. Ball."[1]

See also

• Rashi Fein

References

1. Havemann, Joel; Johanna Neumann (2008-01-31). "Head of Social Security under three presidents". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
2. Sullivan, Patricia (2008-01-31). "Robert M. Ball; 'Spiritual Leader' of Social Security". Washington Post. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
3. "SSA Commissioners: Robert M. Ball". Social Security History - Social Security Administration. Retrieved 2014-03-14.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document: "SSA Commissioners - Robert M. Ball, Social Security Administration".

External links

• Social Security Website
• Berkowitz, Edward D. (2003). Robert Ball and the politics of Social Security. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 0299189503.
• Appearances on C-SPAN