SSA final rule, "Incorrect Terminology in Regulatory Text; Technical Amendments"

Final ruleSSA

Date
Actor
Social Security Administration (Docket SSA-2025-0420; RIN 0960-AI99)
Agency
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Type
Final rule
Section
SUPPLEMENT: THE GOVERNMENT-WIDE CFR 'TERMINOLOGY' RULEMAKINGS ARE ONLY PARTIALLY CAPTURED — TSA'S MAY 2025 FINAL RULE AND THE AUGUST 2026 FDA COMMENT REOPENING ARE MISSING

Summary

Removes "gender" and substitutes "sex" throughout the Listing of Impairments, 20 CFR part 404, subpart P, appendix 1. The affected provisions include the respiratory-disorder criteria at listings 3.02A, 3.02B, 3.02C, 3.03A, 3.04A, 103.02A, 103.02B, and 103.04A, together with introductory text across multiple body-system listings. These provisions set the sex-referenced spirometry and diffusing-capacity thresholds used to determine disability. SSA cites E.O. 14168 and proceeded without notice and comment, finding the procedures unnecessary because "the revisions do not make any substantive changes to our regulations and will not impact the programs we administer," describing the action as "nomenclature changes."

Status

In effect (effective May 4, 2026). (See also section 8.)

As recorded in the data of . Check the sources for anything newer.

Related litigation

Documents

Sources

Cite this action

Incorrect Terminology in Regulatory Text; Technical Amendments, 91 Fed. Reg. 16,548 (Apr. 2, 2026) (codified at 20 C.F.R. pt. 404).

Short form: 91 Fed. Reg. at 16,548.