Apart from Halloween giving people a shock this month, Social Security Administration (SSA)Commissioner Frank Bisignano was also appointed at the Chief Executive Officer of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This announcement was made by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This is something that has never happened in the 90-year history of Social Security.
The Treasury Department has noted that Bisignano will oversee both departments. He will handle operations of the IRS while ensuring he leads Social Security. Supporters say the dual role could help streamline government systems, while critics are calling it a dangerous concentration of power in a single pair of hands.
A Move “Never Seen Before”
The SSA and the IRS have been two separate departments within the U.S. government. One department manages retirement and disability benefits while the other is responsible for collecting taxes. It unlikely to hear that one person is in charge of both.
Nancy Altman had said that no commissioner has ever held a second position at another major federal agency.
Why the Treasury Defends the Decision
Treasury Secretary Bessent was in favour of the move and mentioned that the both departments face similar challenges such as outdated technology, customer service delays, and data management issues.
Bessent believes Bisignano’s background in the private sector will help modernize the IRS and improve efficiency. “Frank understands how to make large organizations move faster,” he said. “He’s the kind of leader who can bring accountability and innovation to government.”
It’s interesting to note that the IRS’s new “CEO” title is a novel one that doesn’t need Senate confirmation, which has drawn criticism in Washington. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern about whether this may compromise congressional oversight or obfuscate the line of command at one of the most sensitive agencies in the country.
Who Is Frank Bisignano?
Prior to join the government, Frank Bisignano served as the CEO of Fiserv, one of the biggest financial technology companies in the U.S.
In May 2025, he was appointed as the Commissioner of Social Security and was known for promising to modernize the agency’s computer systems and improving efficiency. These skills are what the Treasury looked for.
The Concerns: Power, Focus, and Privacy
The backlash has been swift. Critics cite several risks:
- Conflict of Interest: Now that Bisignano is handling both the IRS and Social Security, many are concerned about data privacy. The concern is that the IRS handles taxpayer information and the SSA manages benefit information, this could result in a potential overlap.
- Divided Attention: By overseeing two big departments and dealing with all the problems, one department may receive more attention than the other.
- Accountability: Legislators are concerned about who will hold Bisignano responsible in the event of issues because the new IRS CEO post bypassed Senate approval.
What Happens Next
It can be noted that this move is aimed at improving coordination between both agencies. There are many observers who are watching closely to see how Bisignano is able to manage both roles, leading Social Security, which serves retirees, disabled Americans, and survivors, while also overseeing tax collection, enforcement, and audits at the IRS.
His success might establish a new standard for the management of federal agencies. However, if he has trouble, the experiment may fall apart fast and possibly upend two of the most important institutions in American society.
In short
Frank Bisignano’s double appointment is something that has never been done in the past few decades of Social Security. It is aimed at increasing modernization and improving efficiency.
History is being made at Social Security and the IRS, and the outcome will affect millions of Americans who depend on both systems every day.