Indian American Arjun Mody has officially taken office as Deputy Commissioner of the US Social Security Administration (SSA), becoming the agency’s chief operating officer. The SSA provides benefits to tens of millions of Americans and manages one of the largest budgets in the federal government.
Under this role, Mody will be overseeing a staff of approximately 50,000 employees across more than 1,200 field offices. He will be managing an annual spend of roughly $1.5 trillion, the largest in the US government. Social Security is a federal programme, providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to more than 70 million Americans.
Arjun Mody sworn in as Deputy Commissioner of US SSA
Mody’s role was confirmed by the US Senate on December 18, 2025, and he was sworn in on January 5, 2026. His term runs through January 19, 2031. SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano welcomed Mody to the team, praising his experience and commitment to public service. “Under President Donald J. Trump, the Social Security Administration is transforming into a premier service organisation to serve more Americans faster than ever before,” Bisignano said, according to the official press release.
Mody told senators he would uphold President Trump’s commitment to “preserve and protect the promise for every eligible American.” He stressed the dual challenge of balancing operational efficiency with financial responsibility. “A 50,000-person workforce, over 1,200 field offices, and a $1.5 trillion annual spend — the largest in our government,” he said. “It demands experienced leadership, operational excellence, and pragmatic problem-solving.”
He added, “I am grateful to President Donald J. Trump for the opportunity to serve in this role at SSA. We will make Social Security great for every American.”
As Deputy Commissioner, Mody will oversee core SSA operations, including policy development and financial management. At his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing, Chairman Michael D. Crapo highlighted Mody’s over 20 years of public sector experience as key to delivering high-quality service to beneficiaries.
Who is Arjun Mody?
Mody began his career as a Presidential Management Fellow at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He later advised Fortune 100 companies on legislative strategy and regulatory engagement. He holds degrees from La Salle University, Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, and American University’s Washington College of Law.
Before his nomination, Mody worked on the Trump–Vance transition team and previously led the third-ranking office in the US Senate as staff director of the Senate Republican Conference. He also served on Capitol Hill for Senators Elizabeth Dole, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and John Barrasso.
Addressing the Senate committee, Mody shared the story of his father, who immigrated to the US during the Nixon administration with just $8 in his pocket and went on to serve veterans at a VA medical centre. “From him, I learned that public service is a noble calling,” Mody recalled, reported IANS.