The US Social Security Administration may cut its workforce by up to 50%

The Social Security stands as one of the largest and most favored social programs in the nation. A January poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that two-thirds of U.S. adults believe the country is investing insufficiently in Social Security.

The program is approaching a critical bankruptcy deadline unless Congress intervenes. According to the May 2024 report from the Social Security and Medicare trustees, the trust funds for Social Security, which provide benefits to elderly and disabled individuals, are projected to be unable to disburse full benefits starting in 2035. At that point, Social Security would only be capable of providing 83 percent of the benefits owed.

In a similar vein, DOGE has been integrated into the Social Security Administration as a result of an executive order issued by Trump in January, raising concerns among career officials. Recently, Michelle King, the former acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, resigned from her position after DOGE sought access to information regarding Social Security recipients, as reported by two individuals familiar with the situation who requested anonymity.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) expressed in a statement that such a plan could lead to the closure of field offices, disproportionately affecting seniors residing in rural areas. Additionally, various news outlets, including The American Prospect and The Washington Post, have indicated that up to half of the Social Security Administration’s workforce may be at risk of layoffs.

The Social Security Administration is reportedly preparing to reduce its workforce by at least 7,000 employees from a total of 60,000, as indicated by a source familiar with the agency’s plans who is not authorized to speak publicly. According to another anonymous source, the reduction could potentially reach as high as 50 percent. 

The direct effects of these layoffs on the benefits of the 72.5 million Social Security beneficiaries, which include retirees and children receiving retirement and disability benefits, remain uncertain. However, advocates and Democratic lawmakers caution that such layoffs may hinder the agency’s capacity to provide timely services to recipients.

Some argue that workforce reductions effectively translate to a reduction in benefits. 

Later on Friday, the agency issued a news release detailing plans for substantial workforce cuts, employee reassignments from non-essential roles to critical service positions, and the availability of voluntary separation agreements. In its communication to employees, the agency noted that reassignments “may be involuntary and may necessitate retraining for new responsibilities.”

These layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s heightened initiative to decrease the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by President Donald Trump’s advisor, Elon Musk. A representative from the Social Security Administration did not respond to an inquiry from the Associated Press for comment.

Individuals acquainted with the agency’s initiatives report that Leland Dudek, the new acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), convened a meeting this week with management. During this meeting, he instructed them to devise a plan that would result in the reduction of the workforce by fifty percent at SSA headquarters in Washington, as well as at least fifty percent in regional offices.

Furthermore, the termination of office leases for Social Security locations nationwide is outlined on the DOGE website, which features a “Wall of Receipts,” providing a self-described transparent account of DOGE’s findings and actions. The website indicates that leases for numerous Social Security locations across states such as Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and others have been or will be terminated.

The Social Security Administration is already facing significant staffing shortages. Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy organization for this widely supported public benefit program, stated that the current administration aims to dismantle it. Altman expressed concern that the workforce reductions will hinder many Americans from accessing their hard-earned Social Security benefits, leading to the closure of field offices nationwide and increased wait times for the 1-800 assistance line.