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Social Security Faces Operational Chaos as Staff Cuts and Aging Systems Threaten Benefits

The Trump administration's push to downsize the Social Security Administration, led by Elon Musk's DOGE team, raises fears of delays, errors, and potential system collapse.

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The Arthur J. Altmeyer Social Security Administration building at the agency's headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland, on February 19.
A a Social Security card sits alongside checks from the U.S. Treasury on October 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Social Security Administration announced recipients will receive an annual cost of living adjustment of 5.9%, the largest increase since 1982.
An image shows 3 cards that say SOCIAL SECURITY.

Overview

  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) is implementing a 12% staff reduction, cutting 7,000 jobs, as part of a federal cost-saving initiative spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
  • Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek acknowledged that DOGE's lack of familiarity with SSA operations could lead to mistakes, delays in claims processing, and potential benefit interruptions.
  • Experts warn that the downsizing and loss of experienced staff put the SSA's aging COBOL-based IT systems at risk of frequent outages, which could disrupt services for over 73 million beneficiaries.
  • SSA employees report growing backlogs in disability claims, prolonged customer service wait times, and operational disarray as offices struggle with reduced resources and spending freezes.
  • Former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley predicts a potential system collapse within 30 to 90 days, citing inadequate planning, staff attrition, and the fragility of the agency's infrastructure.