As explained in 20
CFR 402.35(b)(1), SSRs are published under the authority of
the Commissioner of Social Security. The purpose of an SSR is to make
available to the public a series of precedential final opinions, orders,
statements of policy, and interpretations that the Social Security
Administration (SSA) has adopted in claims under the Federal old-age,
survivors, disability, and supplemental security income programs. SSRs
may be based on determinations or decisions made at all levels of
administrative adjudication, Federal court decisions, Commissioner's
decisions, opinions of the Office of the General Counsel, and other
interpretations of the law and regulations.
SSRs are first published in the Federal Register and are effective
upon publication. An SSR's effective date is shown on the first page
of the SSR. Although SSRs do not have the force and effect of law and
regulations, they are binding on all SSA components and are to be relied
upon as precedents in adjudicating cases. An SSR may be superseded,
modified, or revoked by later legislation, regulatory changes, or
subsequent rulings.