Statistical notes from the New Beneficiary Data System

The New Beneficiary Data System (NBDS), developed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) over the past decade, is an increasingly important source of information on the changing circumstances of aged and disabled beneficiaries. Based initially on a survey of new beneficiaries conducted in 1982, the data set was subsequently enhanced with information from administrative records, and, in 1991, through followup interviews with survivors from the original survey. All data, of course, meet rigorous standards for the protection of individuals' privacy and confidentiality. Beginning with this issue of the Social Security Bulletin, we will be presenting brief statistical reports from the New Beneficiary Data System, with special emphasis on the results of the New Beneficiary Followup survey; more extensive analyses will follow.