According to two sources familiar with the agency’s intentions who are not allowed to talk publicly, the Social Security Administration is planning to lay off at least 7,000 of its 60,000 employees, with a total force reduction of up to 50%.
The direct effects of the layoffs on the 72.5 million beneficiaries—including pensioners and children receiving retirement and disability benefits—are not yet known.Democratic lawmakers and supporters caution that cutbacks will make it more difficult for the agency to provide prompt services to recipients.Under the direction of Trump advisor Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency is part of the Trump administration’s stepped-up attempts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, which includes the layoffs.
On October 12, 2022, the Social Security Administration office in Mount Prospect, Illinois, is pictured.(AP Image/File: Nam Y. Huh)AP
An Associated Press request for comment from a Social Security Administration official was not answered.
According to those with knowledge of the agency’s plans, Leland Dudek, the new acting commissioner of SSA, met with management this week and instructed them to come up with a plan that would eliminate at least half of the employees in regional offices and half of the staff at SSA headquarters in Washington.
Additionally, the DOGE website, which keeps a Wall of Receipts—a self-described public record of DOGE’s findings and actions—details the termination of office leases for Social Security facilities nationwide. Numerous Social Security sites in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and other states have had or will have their leases terminated, according to the website.
There is already a persistent staffing shortage at the Social Security Administration. According to Nancy Altman, head of Social Security Works, an advocacy organization for the well-known public benefit program, the Trump Administration now seeks to dismantle it.
According to Altman, many Americans will not be able to get their hard-earned Social Security payments as a result of the force cutbacks. The nation’s field offices will close. The 1-800 number will have extremely long wait times.
One of the biggest and most well-liked social programs in the country is Social Security. According to a January survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, two-thirds of American adults believe that the nation’s Social Security spending is inadequate.
If Congress does not take action, the program may soon face bankruptcy. According to the May 2024 Social Security and Medicare trustees’ report, starting in 2035, Social Security’s trust funds—which provide payments to those with disabilities and old age—will not be able to provide full benefits. Only 83% of payouts could then be paid by Social Security.
Career officials have expressed alarm about DOGE’s integration with the Social Security Administration, which was a result of Trump’s January executive order.
According to two people familiar with the official’s departure who were not permitted to speak publicly, Michelle King, the former acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, resigned from her position this month after DOGE requested access to Social Security recipient information.
“A plan like this will result in field office closures that will hit seniors in rural communities the hardest,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in a statement.
Half of the Social Security Administration’s personnel may be at risk, according to reports from other news outlets like The American Prospect and The Washington Post.
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