The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to lay off at least 7,000 employees from its workforce of 60,000, with some estimates suggesting the cuts could be as high as 50%. The reductions are part of President Trump’s administration efforts to shrink the federal workforce.
According to sources familiar with the agency’s plans, SSA will reassign employees to “mission-critical direct service positions” and offer voluntary separation agreements. However, advocates and Democratic lawmakers warn that these cuts will reduce the agency’s ability to serve recipients in a timely manner, potentially impacting benefits for 72.5 million beneficiaries.
Critics argue that the layoffs are effectively cutting benefits, as reduced staff would lead to longer wait times and reduced services for recipients. The SSA is already understaffed, with Senator Ron Wyden stating that field office closures will disproportionately affect seniors in rural communities.
The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, is pushing for significant workforce reductions across various agencies. The SSA’s new acting commissioner, Leland Dudek, has ordered a plan to eliminate half of the workforce at SSA headquarters and regional offices.
The agency’s plans come as Social Security faces a looming bankruptcy date, with trust funds expected to run out by 2035. A January poll found that two-thirds of US adults believe the country is spending too little on Social Security.
The cuts have sparked concerns from career officials and advocacy groups, who warn that reduced staff will lead to a decline in services for vulnerable populations.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/social-security-layoffs-doge-musk-trump-93efbed33957af5ec8ac37744d0592de