Frank Bisignano, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Social Security Administration (SSA), faced tough questions during his two-and-a-half-hour confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee.
If confirmed, Bisignano would manage an agency responsible for paying $1.6 trillion annually to 72.5 million beneficiaries, including retirees, the disabled, and survivors of covered workers.
Concerns Over SSA’s Future
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the committee’s ranking member, opened the hearing by highlighting the urgency of the situation.
He pointed to growing chaos and confusion within the agency, which has left seniors and other beneficiaries worried about possible delays or cuts to their benefits.
DOGE’s Role at SSA
Concerns escalated after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by Elon Musk, gained access to sensitive data at the SSA.
This included personal information such as addresses, medical and work histories, tax records, and benefit amounts for everyone with a Social Security number.
Former SSA Commissioner Michelle King objected to this data transfer and resigned, leading to the appointment of Leland Dudek, who allowed DOGE to continue accessing the data.
After reviewing the data, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) that tens of millions of people over the age of 100 were receiving benefits improperly, calling it “the biggest fraud in history.”
However, evidence shows that only 0.1% of beneficiaries are over 100 years old, fewer than 74,000 people.
Musk’s figures came from the SSA’s outdated Numident database, which includes records of 6.5 million people born before 1901 without death dates, though most are not receiving benefits.
In 2015, the SSA implemented a policy to stop payments to anyone older than 115 years.
Dudek later confirmed that SSA has measures to catch fraudulent payments, including checking in with beneficiaries over 90 years old to verify they’re alive. Payments stop immediately if someone is found to be deceased.
Legal Challenges and Threats to Close SSA
DOGE’s data access sparked lawsuits from unions and advocacy groups. U.S. District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander criticized DOGE’s approach as “hitting a fly with a sledgehammer” and issued a restraining order, blocking further access to SSA systems.
Dudek initially threatened to shut down SSA in response, alarming beneficiaries. He later clarified that the agency would remain open, stating that President Trump supports keeping Social Security running smoothly.
The Maine Controversy
Tensions grew after the SSA required parents in Maine to apply for newborn Social Security numbers in person instead of at the hospital.
Dudek admitted this was done out of spite toward Maine Governor Janet Mills for opposing Trump’s executive order on trans athletes. After the backlash, SSA reversed the policy and restored the original process.
Ongoing Chaos at SSA
The turmoil has taken a toll on SSA operations. The agency’s website crashed four times in 10 days due to server overload.
Staffing levels are at a 50-year low, with around 50,000 employees—a drop from 57,000 at the start of Trump’s term.
Wait times for phone support have increased, and starting in April, some services will only be available online or in person, which could create challenges for seniors and disabled beneficiaries.
Additionally, the SSA now requires in-person identity verification for certain claims and prohibits family members from managing accounts on behalf of beneficiaries.
Political and Public Reactions
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick downplayed the public’s concern, saying seniors wouldn’t complain if their checks were delayed. He suggested that “fraudsters” would be the loudest voices of complaint.
Amidst this backdrop, Bisignano’s hearing took on broader significance. Despite Trump’s assurances that he won’t cut Social Security, fears of privatization remain.
Bisignano denied any plans to privatize the program but avoided direct answers about DOGE’s future involvement.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) questioned whether it was wise to cut staff at an already stretched agency. Bisignano acknowledged that reducing staff was probably not the right move.
He also supported keeping phone-based services available, recognizing that not all beneficiaries can access online options.
When asked about Musk’s characterization of Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme,” Bisignano avoided directly agreeing, calling it “a promise to pay.” He also promised a full review of DOGE’s influence on SSA systems.
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