Who Frank Bisignano is and why he matters to Social Security

Frank Bisignano became the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service in November 2023, appointed by President Biden. The IRS and Social Security are separate agencies, but they share data and coordinate on certain matters — particularly around income verification, tax records, and benefit calculations. Understanding who leads the IRS matters because IRS decisions about funding, staffing, and enforcement directly affect how quickly Social Security can verify your income, process your claims, and detect fraud.

Bisignano came to the IRS from Equifax, where he was Chief Executive Officer. Before that, he held senior roles at Bank of America and other financial institutions. His background is in technology, operations, and large-scale data management — skills the IRS needed as it modernized aging computer systems and expanded its workforce after years of budget cuts.

The IRS and Social Security both maintain records about your earnings history, tax filings, and income. When you file for Social Security benefits, the agency cross-checks your earnings record against IRS tax records to verify your work history and calculate your benefit amount. If the IRS cannot access or verify that data quickly, your Social Security claim can be delayed.

Key Takeaways

  • Frank Bisignano is the IRS Commissioner as of November 2023, and his decisions about IRS staffing and technology affect how fast Social Security can verify your income and process your claims.
  • The IRS and Social Security share data on earnings history and income, so delays or errors at the IRS can slow down Social Security benefit decisions.
  • Bisignano's focus on modernizing IRS technology and hiring more staff directly impacts the speed of income verification that Social Security relies on.
  • Social Security and the IRS both use the same earnings records, so if there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what the IRS has on file, it can affect your benefit calculation.

How the IRS and Social Security share information

The IRS maintains the official record of your earnings history through tax returns and W-2 forms your employers file each year. Social Security uses this same data to calculate your benefit amount, which is based on your 35 highest-earning years. When you file for Social Security, the agency requests your earnings record from the IRS to confirm the income you reported matches what the IRS has recorded.

This data-sharing happens electronically, but it is not instantaneous. If the IRS is understaffed or its computer systems are slow, Social Security may have to wait longer to receive your earnings verification. During that wait, your claim sits in a queue. Bisignano's work to hire more IRS staff and upgrade the agency's technology infrastructure directly affects how quickly this verification happens.

Discrepancies between your Social Security earnings record and your IRS tax record can also delay your claim. If your employer reported your income incorrectly to the IRS, or if you reported it differently on a Social Security form, the two agencies have to resolve the difference before your benefit can be finalized. The IRS is responsible for maintaining the authoritative earnings record, so IRS efficiency matters to Social Security processing times.

Bisignano's priorities at the IRS and their connection to Social Security

When Bisignano took office, the IRS faced a backlog of unprocessed tax returns, outdated computer systems, and staffing shortages. Congress allocated significant funding to the IRS under the Inflation Reduction Act, and Bisignano's mandate was to modernize technology, hire thousands of new employees, and reduce processing delays. These changes affect Social Security because a better-staffed, better-equipped IRS can respond faster to Social Security's data requests.

Bisignano has emphasized hiring customer service representatives and tax specialists to handle the backlog of unprocessed returns and taxpayer inquiries. More IRS staff means faster processing of tax documents, which in turn means faster verification of earnings records for Social Security claims. He has also prioritized replacing the IRS's oldest computer systems, some of which date back decades and process information slowly.

One specific area relevant to Social Security is the IRS's ability to verify self-employment income and income from multiple sources. Self-employed workers and gig workers often have more complex earnings records, and the IRS must carefully review their tax returns to confirm income. Social Security relies on this verification to calculate benefits for self-employed people. Bisignano's technology upgrades are meant to make this verification faster and more accurate.

What delays at the IRS mean for your Social Security claim

If the IRS is slow to respond to Social Security's data requests, your claim will be delayed. Social Security cannot finalize your benefit amount without confirming your earnings history, so you may wait weeks or months longer than necessary to receive your first payment. This is particularly common for people who file for benefits during peak filing seasons, when both agencies are handling high volumes of requests.

Delays are also more likely if your earnings record is complex — for example, if you worked for multiple employers, were self-employed, or had income from sources the IRS must investigate further. In these cases, Social Security may ask the IRS to conduct a more thorough review, which takes additional time. Bisignano's efforts to hire more IRS staff and streamline processes are meant to reduce these delays, but the work is ongoing.

If you believe your Social Security claim is delayed because of an IRS issue, you can contact Social Security directly to ask about the status. Social Security can sometimes request expedited verification from the IRS if your situation is urgent — for example, if you are facing financial hardship. However, the IRS must still complete its work before Social Security can move forward.

Errors in IRS records and how they affect Social Security benefits

If the IRS has an error in your earnings record — for example, if your employer reported your income incorrectly or your W-2 was filed under the wrong name or Social Security number — that error will carry over to Social Security. Your benefit calculation depends on accurate earnings history, so an IRS error can result in a lower benefit than you are may have access to to.

Correcting an IRS error requires filing an amended tax return (Form 1040-X) or asking your employer to file a corrected W-2 (Form W-2c). The IRS then updates your earnings record, and Social Security updates your benefit calculation. This process can take several months, particularly if the IRS is backlogged. Bisignano's focus on reducing the IRS backlog means these corrections may be processed faster than they have been in recent years.

You can view your Social Security earnings record online through your my Social Security account. If you see an error — for example, missing years of work or income that does not match what you reported to the IRS — you should contact Social Security immediately. Social Security can help you identify whether the error is in the IRS record or in Social Security's copy of the record, and guide you on how to correct it.

How to check your earnings record and report discrepancies

You can view your official Social Security earnings record by creating an account at ssa.gov and logging into my Social Security. The record shows your earnings for each year you worked, as reported to Social Security by the IRS. Review it carefully, especially if you are approaching retirement age or planning to file for benefits soon.

If you spot an error — missing years, incorrect amounts, or earnings under a name or number that is not yours — contact Social Security right away. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Social Security will investigate and determine whether the error is in the IRS record or in Social Security's records. If it is an IRS error, Social Security will guide you on how to correct it with the IRS.

Keep copies of your own tax returns and W-2 forms as backup documentation. If you need to dispute an earnings record, these documents are your proof of what you actually earned and reported. The IRS and Social Security both use these documents to resolve discrepancies, so having them on hand speeds up the correction process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Frank Bisignano work for Social Security?

No. Frank Bisignano is the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, not Social Security. However, the IRS and Social Security work together and share data, so his decisions at the IRS affect how quickly Social Security can process your claims and verify your earnings history.

Will IRS improvements speed up my Social Security claim?

Potentially, yes. If the IRS reduces its backlog and improves its data systems, it can respond faster to Social Security's requests for earnings verification. This means Social Security may be able to process your claim more quickly. However, the speed of your specific claim also depends on how complex your earnings record is and how busy Social Security is at the time you file.

What should I do if I think there is an error in my earnings record?

Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov and review your earnings record. If you see an error, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Have your tax returns and W-2 forms ready to show what you actually earned. Social Security will investigate and work with the IRS to correct the record if needed.

How long does it take to correct an earnings record error?

It varies. If the error is in Social Security's copy of the record, Social Security may correct it within weeks. If the error is in the IRS record, you may need to file an amended tax return or ask your employer to file a corrected W-2, which can take several months for the IRS to process and update.

Can I file for Social Security benefits while waiting for an earnings record correction?

Yes. You can file for benefits even if you are waiting for a correction. However, your initial benefit calculation will be based on the earnings record as it currently exists. Once the correction is made, Social Security will recalculate your benefit and pay you any back pay owed. It is better to file and correct later than to delay filing while waiting for the correction.