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Social security officer

Also called civil servant, benefits officer, employment advisor

Social security officers advise clients on social security benefits and ensure they claim the benefits they are eligible for, as well as providing advice on promotions and other available support services such as employment benefits. They aid clients in applications for benefits such as sickness, maternity, pensions, invalidity, unemployment and family benefits. They investigate the client's right to benefits by reviewing their case and researching legislation and the claim, and suggest an appropriate course of action. Social security advisers also determine the aspects of a specific benefit.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects25 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Business and administration associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Business and administration associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree5 in 10 have a degree.Business and administration associate professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.Government social benefits officials · ILO

What you'd do

Government social benefits officials · ILO
  • Advising individuals and organizations on government laws, rules and regulations concerning government benefit programmes and the determination and disbursement of payments or referral to services, as well as on the public‚Äôs rights and obligations
  • Examining applications and other relevant documents to determine types and amounts of benefit which individuals are eligible to receive
  • Assessing documentation and interviewing benefit recipients to ensure eligibility for continuing benefits or services
  • Performing related administrative tasks to maintain client records and prepare reports on determinations regarding eligibility, referral decisions, termination of benefits and abuse or fraud
Check official documentsInvestigate social security applicationsConduct research interviewRespond to enquiriesProtect client interests+ 5 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as business and administration associate professionals in the EU
13.29m14.1m14.28m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
55,000 new jobs 3,460,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Business and administration associate professionals25
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of government social benefits officials, 2 a surplus.
Government social benefits officials · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in law is the usual route.

Highest qualification of business and administration associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 51%Vocational 31%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 6%
Fields that teach it
Law · Political sciences and civics
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.45 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 4 tasks
Performing related administrative tasks to maintain client records and prepare reports on determinations regarding eligibility, referral decisions, termination of benefits and abuse or fraud0.52
Examining applications and other relevant documents to determine types and amounts of benefit which individuals are eligible to receive0.50
Assessing documentation and interviewing benefit recipients to ensure eligibility for continuing benefits or services0.43
Advising individuals and organizations on government laws, rules and regulations concerning government benefit programmes and the determination and disbursement of payments or referral to services, as well as on the public’s rights and obligations0.36

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for government social benefits officials. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).