More short hours at SSA offices?

U.S. News & World Report reports that SSA may further reduce hours in its field offices in response to budget cuts.

“Beginning November 19, 2012, we will close Social Security field offices to the public 30 minutes early each day," [an SSA spokesman] wrote. "For example, a field office that is usually open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm will close daily at 3:00 pm; and beginning January 2, 2013, we will close Social Security field offices to the public at 12:00 pm on Wednesdays." Staffers will not lose normal hours, but will be much less likely to require overtime to finish helping members of the public who arrive at the offices late in the day.”

In addition, SSA will once again suspend mailings  of the annual Social Security Statement, although the Statement will continue to be available online.