<P> The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits . To qualify for most of these benefits, most workers pay Social Security taxes on their earnings; the claimant's benefits are based on the wage earner's contributions . Otherwise benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are given based on need . </P> <P> The Social Security Administration was established by a law codified at 42 U.S.C. § 901 . Its current leader, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Nancy Berryhill, was acting commissioner from January 19, 2017 through November 17, 2017 . </P> <P> SSA is headquartered in Woodlawn, Maryland, just to the west of Baltimore, at what is known as Central Office . The agency includes 10 regional offices, 8 processing centers, approximately 1300 field offices, and 37 Teleservice Centers . As of 2007, about 62,000 people were employed by SSA . Headquarters non-supervisory employees of SSA are represented by American Federation of Government Employees Local 1923 . Social Security is the largest social welfare program in the United States . For 2014, the net cost of Social Security was $906.4 billion, an amount corresponding to 21% of US Federal Government expenditures . </P> <P> It has been named the 9th best place to work in the U.S. federal government (out of 18 large agencies). </P>

Where is the head social security office located