Prior to 1985, Social Security Administration (SSA) notices did not display an official’s
signature, except for the Commissioner’s signature on title II award notices and title
XVI cost-of-living adjustment notices. In 1985, in an effort to personalize our notices
and communicate more effectively, we began to display signatures on additional notices.
We revised our signature policy again in 1987 to require that all SSA notices display
the signature, name, and title of an appropriate SSA line official.
On August 4, 2011, due to increased threats and hostile actions directed toward the
SSA officials whose names appear on denial or adverse action notices, the Commissioner
of Social Security (COSS) issued a decision stating: “The display of a name, title,
and signature of a responsible line official is not required in the signature block
of SSA notices. On notices without a name, title, and signature, a general legend
is required in the signature block.”