Kathie Sherrill, a 74-year-old retiree from Troy, has been retired for about 10 years and never worried about her Social Security payments arriving on time.
But in March, for the first time, she felt compelled to check her account on the day her $2,800 Social Security payment was due.
Thankfully, the money was there, but the fact that she even felt the need to check reflects growing anxiety among retirees.
Sherrill isn’t alone. Many seniors are increasingly worried about the future of Social Security.
“I’ve never really worried about it as much as I have this year,” Sherrill said. The payment showed up, so she knew her bills would get paid—but she remains uneasy about what might happen next.
“I think anybody, future or current people on Social Security, are targeted,” she said. “It’s a worry that I’m sure everybody is having right now.”
Seniors Feeling Uncertain About Social Security’s Future
Since early February, AARP has reported nearly double the usual number of calls from people concerned about Social Security.
An AARP spokesperson said the organization has been receiving over 2,000 calls a week about these concerns.
John Hishta, AARP’s senior vice president of campaigns, tried to reassure people, saying, “Social Security has never missed a payment, and AARP and our tens of millions of members are not going to stand by and let that happen now.”
But the fact that reassurance is even necessary shows how much uncertainty has crept into the system.
Few retirees imagined they’d ever have to worry about whether Social Security would pay out on time.
Bad Advice Circulating on Social Media
Social media isn’t helping matters. One viral post claimed that federal workers had advised Americans to withdraw all funds from the accounts where they receive federal payments, like Social Security or tax refunds, and move them to separate accounts.
The post suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could wrongly declare someone dead and force banks to return those funds.
That’s not true, but it reflects how nervous some people have become. Financial experts warn that moving money around like this could put it at greater risk from debt collectors.
Political and Administrative Issues Add to Anxiety
Concerns over Social Security have grown after Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek threatened to temporarily shut down the Social Security Administration.
A federal judge had stopped Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Social Security data, requiring that DOGE receive proper training first.
Dudek quickly walked back the threat, saying he had received clarifying guidance from the court. “I am not shutting down the agency,” he said.
“President Trump supports keeping Social Security offices open and getting the right check to the right person at the right time.”
Still, the issue has become a political flashpoint. Frank Bisignano, a financial tech CEO nominated by President Trump to lead the Social Security Administration, faced tough questioning during confirmation hearings over how the administration is handling the situation.
Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration announced it would delay a controversial plan to require in-person visits for certain services.
That change was set to take effect on April 14 but will now be pushed back by two weeks. Some retirees who can’t use an online “my Social Security” account will still be able to handle their claims over the phone.
Fear of Cuts to Benefits
Sherrill says Social Security makes up about half of her monthly income. She worries that benefits could be reduced, particularly as some proposals have suggested raising the full retirement age from 67 to 69 starting in 2026.
“I’m concerned about my financial future,” Sherrill said. “I can’t afford to lose any of that money.”
Before retiring in 2015, Sherrill worked as a staff representative for AFSCME Council 25. She used to negotiate contracts and represent union members.
Her late husband, Al, worked as a facilities manager for Fitzgerald Public Schools before suffering a stroke in 2001 and later developing Alzheimer’s disease. He died nearly three years ago, and Sherrill now receives a portion of his pension.
Sherrill has been financially comfortable in retirement, but rising costs have forced her to cut back on expenses like dining out.
She’s also trying to withdraw less from her retirement savings to keep more cash on hand in case her benefits are reduced.
“I didn’t plan on doing that, but that’s what I’m doing now,” Sherrill said.
Life Changes Adding to Pressure
To complicate matters, Sherrill is facing a $600 monthly car payment after her car was totaled in an accident.
She plans to buy an all-electric Cadillac Lyriq—her first electric vehicle—but joked that if her Social Security payments stop, she might have to sell it.
Sherrill also worries about broader economic instability. Her retirement investments have dropped by about $30,000 after the stock market fell earlier in 2025.
The S&P 500 had a four-week losing streak and remains down 7.75% from its February high.
Sherrill never imagined she’d have to worry this much about Social Security. But now she feels like anything could happen.
“I’m hoping that Congress wakes up, looks in the mirror, and decides they don’t like what they see,” she said.
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