Since President Donald Trump took office, major federal budget cuts have been implemented through the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at reducing government spending.
These cuts have also hit the Social Security Administration (SSA), which serves around 70 million Americans. Changes include staff reductions, office closures, and limitations on phone services.
What To Know?
Seniors, especially those aged 65 and older, are the most affected by Social Security reductions.
According to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data, Americans aged 65–74 rely on Social Security or similar benefits for nearly half (49%) of their income. That number jumps to 60% for people aged 75 and older.
While younger people also receive SSA benefits, particularly survivor or disability benefits, their overall income dependency is significantly lower.
People aged 50–64 get about 11% of their income from SSA or similar sources, compared to 3% for those 30–49, and just 1% for those aged 18–29.
SSA-administered disability benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are more evenly distributed across all age groups, contributing around 2–3% of income across the board.
SSA Cuts
In February, the SSA announced plans to shrink its workforce from 57,000 to 50,000 and reduce the number of its regional offices from 10 to just 4.
The agency said this would cut out “non-mission-critical work” and improve efficiency.
Also in February, two internal SSA offices—the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity and the Office of Transformation—were closed, with some employees placed on administrative leave.
In March, the SSA stopped over-the-phone identity verification for new claims and direct deposit updates, requiring in-person visits for those unable to confirm their identity online.
After public backlash, the agency partially reversed this policy, allowing disability applicants to verify their identity over the phone.
These changes have sparked strong criticism from Democrats, advocacy groups for seniors and people with disabilities, and former SSA leaders.
Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek stated on February 19: “Good government means finding ways to do better. DOGE is central to President Trump’s mission to fight fraud and make the government work more efficiently for Americans.”
Former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley posted on X: “Elon Musk and Donald Trump are gutting Social Security with a chainsaw, and I’m deeply concerned.”
Max Richtman, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, added: “Under Trump, Musk, and DOGE, the SSA leadership is slashing staff and services.
These changes are already making it harder for seniors, disabled Americans, and families to access the benefits they’ve earned.”
What Happens Next?
It remains unclear whether more cuts will follow. However, several lawsuits have already been filed by advocacy groups and Social Security recipients in an effort to overturn the changes made by DOGE.
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