Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, his administration has focused heavily on cutting waste in the federal government.
This effort is being led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with Tesla CEO Elon Musk playing a key role.
Many government departments have faced major budget cuts and layoffs, with the Department of Education even at risk of being dismantled. However, the future of Social Security remains unclear.
The program, which provides retirement and disability benefits to over 70 million Americans, made up over 20% of the federal budget in 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).
Trump has stated that Social Security benefits won’t be cut, but some cabinet members have raised doubts.
Reports of planned office closures and staff reductions have raised concerns about whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be able to keep up with delivering benefits on time.
On March 26, Democrats held a press conference criticizing Trump’s handling of Social Security.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed the administration’s goal is to make the program so inefficient that Trump could justify cutting it and eventually privatizing it. “Seniors across America are not getting the help they need,” Schumer said.
What’s Happening to Social Security Under Trump?
DOGE reportedly plans to cut around 7,000 jobs at the SSA, which currently employs about 57,000 staff.
The administration also plans to change how identity verification is handled, requiring people to visit offices or use online systems instead of phone calls.
This could make things difficult for older Americans or those in rural areas.
On March 18, the SSA announced it would stop verifying identity over the phone. Advocacy groups like AARP have pushed back, warning that requiring in-person visits would be a hardship for rural Americans.
“We urge the agency to reverse this decision,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond on March 19.
Another concern is DOGE’s access to sensitive SSA data. A Maryland judge recently blocked DOGE from accessing SSA’s data banks, issuing a restraining order.
The judge noted that DOGE failed to justify why its team needed unlimited access to SSA records.
What Has Trump Said About Social Security?
Trump has repeatedly said that his administration will not cut Social Security benefits.
A White House fact sheet released on March 11 emphasized that the administration wants to cut wasteful spending, pointing out that the SSA made $72 billion in improper payments from 2015 to 2022.
Musk has been vocal about his views on Social Security, calling it “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” in a podcast with Joe Rogan.
He also told Fox Business that entitlement spending is “the big one to eliminate.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also made controversial comments, saying that his mother-in-law “wouldn’t complain” if a Social Security check was missed. His remarks sparked backlash, even within his party.
Former Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele criticized Lutnick’s comments, noting that many families depend on these benefits.
Who Is Trump’s Pick to Lead the SSA?
Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano, CEO of payment processing company Fiserv, to lead the SSA.
Bisignano, who describes himself as a “DOGE person,” faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing on March 25.
He stated that he has “no intent” to cut benefits but focused heavily on reducing payment errors and using AI to improve efficiency.
Experts are skeptical. Pamela Herd, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, said Bisignano avoided committing to maintaining current staffing levels.
Teresa Ghilarducci, an economics professor at the New School, said Bisignano seemed too aligned with DOGE’s goals, which could mean weakening the SSA over time.
Should People Be Worried About Social Security?
Experts say yes. Herd pointed out that staffing cuts could lead to long wait times and overwhelmed offices, making it harder for people to access their benefits.
“There’s a real disconnect between saying ‘we won’t cut benefits’ and the reality of how the SSA is being managed,” she said.
Herd also warned that reducing staff and procedures could make it harder to prevent fraud and errors. “You can’t manage 20% of the federal budget on a shoestring,” she said.
Ghilarducci suggested that Republicans are testing the waters with these changes to Social Security. “If they were looking for an issue that could spark political backlash, they may have found it,” she said.
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