How your Social Security benefits could be affected if the Trump Administration cuts 50% of the SSA’s workforce

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency responsible for distributing Social Security benefits, among other economic programs.

The agency has come under fire from President Donald Trump after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency said they found evidence that the SSA was paying benefits to deceased people. As DOGE continues to push for layoffs across the federal government, the SSA workforce is expected to shrink in the coming weeks.

The American Prospect reported earlier this week that the SSA has been directed by the White House to identify more than 50,000 employees for layoffs. However, other reports downplay the number of SSA employees who will lose their jobs, placing the number around 7,000. President Trump has repeatedly stated that he will not cut Social Security benefits, but these layoffs could still impact retirees.

The consequences for beneficiaries seeking support

Already, nearly a dozen SSA offices have been slated for closure, limiting the public’s access to in-person assistance with benefit-related questions. Additionally, beneficiaries and their family members who contact the SSA by phone may experience longer wait times if the layoffs affect call center staffing.

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