The New Beneficiary Data System: the first phase

The completion of field work for the 1991 New Beneficiary Followup has transformed the 1982 New Beneficiary Survey from a simple cross-sectional data collection effort to the first step in a new longitudinal data base, which is further enriched with information obtained from administrative records. The resulting New Beneficiary Data System will make it possible to develop a better understanding of the dynamics of the experience of aged and disabled populations over the long term. A review of 24 reports prepared by Social Security Administration analysts who have used data from the first wave of interviews reveals a great deal of variation among different types of beneficiaries with respect to income, assets, pensions, work, health, and other factors. These reports provide a useful context for examining patterns of stability and change in the beneficiary population as the data from administrative records and later interviews are added to the data base and used to address issues of policy interest.