What does the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) do?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent federal agency responsible for protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation. The SEC oversees securities exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds. It enforces the statutory requirement that public companies and other regulated entities submit quarterly and annual reports, as well as other periodic disclosures. The SEC was established in 1934 following the stock market crash of 1929 to restore investor confidence in the securities markets.
$730M
<0.1%
How much does the Securities and Exchange Commission spend?
The Securities and Exchange Commission accounted for <0.1% of all federal spending in FY 2024.
Share of SEC net spending compared to the top ten highest spending agencies in FY 2024
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.
Yearly federal net spending by SEC, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024
The Securities and Exchange Commission's share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.
Percentage of federal budget dedicated to SEC, FYs 1980–2024
How did the Securities and Exchange Commission spend its budget in 2024?
Federal government net spending isolated to SEC, FY 2024
How many people work for the Securities and Exchange Commission?
The number of federal employees working for the Securities and Exchange Commission has increased 25.2% since 2010.
Number of federal employees working for , September 2010–2024
Who leads the Securities and Exchange Commission?
The SEC is led by a Chair. The Chair is nominated by the President and requires Senate confirmation. The Chair, along with four other Commissioners, serves a staggered five-year term. The President designates one of the Commissioners as the Chair, who acts as the agency's chief executive. The Commissioners' terms are staggered so that one Commissioner's term ends on June 5 of each year.
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.