Commissioner of the Social Security Administration: Who Is Andrew Saul?

Sunday, May 13, 2018
Andrew Saul

Andrew M. Saul, a New York businessman who attended the University of Pennsylvania at the same time as Donald Trump, was nominated April 12, 2018, by the president to a six-year term as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

 

Saul was born in New York on November 6, 1946. He did his undergraduate work at the Wharton School at Penn, earning a B.S. in 1968, just as Trump did.

 

After graduation, Saul took a job with Brooks Fashion Stores, a mid-range women’s clothing chain. He became vice president for store operations, executive vice president and in 1980, president of the company. Saul’s tenure as president was marked by millions of dollars in losses for Brooks.

 

In December 1986, Saul and his father, Joseph, bought a controlling interest in the high-end women’s clothing company Caché, whose owners had filed for bankruptcy. Saul served on the board and was chairman of the company from February 1993 to October 2000. The same year he bought Caché, Saul formed the investment group Saul Partners.

 

Saul joined the board of New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) in 1997 and in 2006 was appointed its vice chairman. He has been an MTA board member ever since. In 2003, he was chairman of the MTA audit committee when state and city comptrollers accused MTA of keeping two sets of books. While on the MTA 15-person voting board in 2005, Saul’s was one of only two votes against a holiday fare reduction for transit riders.

 

Saul was a top fundraiser for George W. Bush, and was rewarded in 2002 with an appointment as chairman of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, which supervises 401-k-style retirement programs for federal employees, including the military. Saul tightened loan requirements for Thrift members and grew the fund while maintaining strict financial controls. He remained on the board until 2011.

 

In 2007, Saul entered the race for Congress from his home district in New York, and his deep pockets made the candidacy popular with the GOP. However, Saul dropped out of the race in November 2007 days after The New York Times reported that two of his campaign donors were bidding to build on MTA property. Saul also drew criticism for proposing transit fare increases.

 

Saul’s personal life took a couple odd turns. As his daughter, Jennifer Saul Yaffa, was going through a divorce in 2009, Saul began eviction proceedings against the family, which was living in a Fifth Avenue co-op owned by a family trust. A court ruled against Saul. In 2012, he tried to get out of a trespassing charge by claiming he was a police commissioner. Saul was trying to ride a bicycle on a dam when told by a police officer that he was trespassing. Saul ignored the officer, who had to pull Saul off his bike. Saul produced a “courtesy card” he’d received through the MTA police. Despite all that, Saul wasn’t ticketed.

 

Saul was an early backer of Jeb Bush in the 2016 election cycle and subsequently gave thousands of dollars to the Republican National Committee and associated campaign committees through the general election. He made a total of $261,627 in donations during the cycle.

 

In addition to Jennifer, Saul and his wife, Denise, have another daughter, Kimberly. Saul serves on the board of the right-wing Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. He collects art, including works by Andy Warhol.

-Steve Straehley

 

To Learn More:

Official Announcement

Bloomberg Profile

Bicycling MTA Bigwig Gets Huffy With Cop (by Pete Donohue, New York Daily News)

NYC Return Makes B’way Actor Playful (Page Six)

Andrew Saul for Congress

Andrew Saul (Wikipedia)

Comments

Patricia Singleton/Judy Padgett 4 years ago
On 6/20/19, My daughter, Judy Padgett, had a massive stroke which messed up her whole right side, her speech, hearing and use of her right arm and leg. She has been in therapy ever since and has gotten some use of her leg back - she can walk SLOWLY WITH A CANE. She is right handed, but has to do everything with her left hand. I applied for temporary disability, and have gotten NOWHERE! They insisted on talking with Judy and I kept telling them that she cannot talk on the phone. They send me letters telling me to call them and when I called, I had to leave message that was never answered. Finally, I got a letter saying her claim was denied because she did meet their criteria!!!! I wrote them a letter back and told that if she doesn't meet criteria, I can't imagine who would. I also requested that they take another look at this claim. I have not heard one word from them since. PLEASE HELP!! CLAIN #U80541
ZoAnne Boyd 4 years ago
My husband, Robert S Becker, has applied for SS Disability for his niece, Ronda L Becker, in June of this year, from the SS office here in Fairbanks Alaska with help of agent David. Approx. 3 weeks ago, Agent David left a voice mail stating "Ronda's SS is Stuck, what is stuck?" David was supposed to talk to his supervisor and find out what STuck was? We call David once a week, with no response, what is Stuck? Ronda's parents have passed away and now her brother has passed away and left Ronda with no money and we are trying to pay her bills. Can you please find out what is going on with Ronda's SS Disability payments. This has gone on long enough and there is no reason to leave this disabled girl with no money to live off of. This is like running continuous in a circle. Thank you for time and help. ZoAnne Boyd
lisa a norman 4 years ago
I was diagnosed with congenital heart failure in april of this year .My doctor filled out my functional capacity exam and said I would not be able to return to work I lost my job because I had to be off for surgeries Icannot get another job because of my age and my disability I have applied through your web site I have contacted your office and received NO satisfaction My husband and I are at risk of very soon becoming homeless. Can you have someone look into this matter it is extremely urgent Do you not take ino consideration hardship cases. I worked all my life and now I fear I wont have one. Please help Claim #BRV266
John Rowe 4 years ago
Worthless. That is my thoughts of the social security system. Excuse after excuse, reason after reason, promise after promise, still cannot receive the $9500 ssi owes me since last December. 8 months. I was told 30 to 60 days. Last time I was told by August 4th. No sense of urgency, no accountability, not even from senator Hollingsworth who I have tried unsuccessfully to speak with. But let’s keep bashing the other party instead of getting anything accomplished. SS is like a socialistic country, nobody has a sense of urgency, nobody cares. I’m sure if I was an immigrant I’d be paid and have insurance faster than 3 years.
Kathleen gilbert 4 years ago
Hi I am needing help my husband passed away in 2017 And I applied for the lump sum Death benefit and survivor benefits I was denied for no reason by Social Security I did appeal that decision It’s been over a year and they will not answer my appeal I have called Social Security emailed them and wrote to them but I get no response over a year and When they do get on the phone they get very rude with me.This reconsideration appeal should’ve only taken 30 to 60 days it’s been over a year I just want an answer on my appeal

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