📋 Social Security Plans ‘Significant’ Staff Reductions (AARP Article)

[Winter2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE: AARP calls for reassurances from SSA on commitment to customer service.

By Andy Markowitz, AARP.

Published February 28, 2025.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced plans for a “massive” restructuring of its operations on Friday that “will include significant workforce reductions” affecting thousands of jobs.

A Feb. 28 statement from the SSA set a target of reducing the SSA workforce from about 57,000 employees to 50,000, a 12 percent cut.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/social-security/ssa-workforce-reductions.html

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] @GailL1 , I notice your AVATAR is also missing (unless you are choosing not to have one). Anyway, I am too OLD & BUSY to be worrying about what other folks do or do not do. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @GailL1 wrote:

I like emoji’s, I like caps or bold or colors for emphases - at least they are regular size - remember the member that use to post them really big - took up the whole page - then we learned that she had vision problems and after that I just accepted them but I don’t think she needed them that large.  

So I just don’t sweat the small stuff.

Now I am trying to get my signature to appear - think they have removed that option - so might have to do it manually.

“The closest thing to eternal life on earth is a government program”   - President Ronald Reagan ***]

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[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

The SSA group works on applications based on the age of the beneficiary and what date they want their benefits to start.  

If one applies (4) months ahead of the date they want their benefits to start , they are put into the rotation.  However, this is all based on their eligibility and the associated rules -

Let’s say, a beneficiary files in March for their benefits and they turn 62 on March 14 - they want their benefits to start in March or April - won’t happen because

1.  you have to be 62 for an entire month before your benefits can be activated.

2.  SS benefits are paid a month in arrears.

3.  benefits are paid based on your birthDAY.

So this beneficiary, will not be eligible for a benefit until May - because they will not be eligible for benefits until April 14 (30 days past their March 14 birthday)  - so if the claim is processed so that it can meet the deadline of the outgoing payments they would not get their 1st benefit until May (this would be their April payment) and if possible by the payment deadline would be paid on May 21 - third Wednesday of the month.

SSA.gov 2025 Calendar of Benefits Paid 

They would probably see their benefit letter about the end of April or beginning of May on their account - and by snail mail - who knows.

[fffred]

@GailL1

perfectly understandable.

if only the SSA made this crystal clear on the application itself and on the page that shows the application status.

It’d take an hour of programming time but save hundreds of thousands of hours between the SSA’s time, applicant’s time, and here at AARP forums. 

shaking my head

[GailL1]

@fffred 

I don’t think that any government agency really writes their forms  or programs where most people can understand them.  But even if they did, I am really not sure that most would even take the time to still try to understand them.  

I totally agree with you but do you wanna help with this project?  Even the programmers or the form inventor don’t know how to word it so that plain folks can understand it.  We need some beta testing with just regular folks - 

Why?  Because neither people nor the government want to get or give too much information because it clouds the mind for many - 

Everything I said in the post you replied to is on the SSA.gov website but not in the same place.  I also get some of the deeper information from those on reddit that either work there now or did before retiring.  It is there that I have learned who my best sources are and even how to consult the POMS for detailed info.

(Program Operations Manual System ).  

You and a few others here may do this too but it is definitely NOT for the faint of heart.  

Course, I don’t have much else to do - but I am getting very tired.

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] Yes @GailL1 , I had applied 4 MONTHS before turning age 62 in 2020 (online). I am guessing AFTER I was processed, things slowed down = Pandemic in full swing. I was lucky!!! Nicole  👵

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[*** @GailL1 wrote:

@Winter2025VA 

The SSA group works on applications based on the age of the beneficiary and what date they want their benefits to start.  

If one applies (4) months ahead of the date they want their benefits to start , they are put into the rotation.  However, this is all based on their eligibility and the associated rules -

Let’s say, a beneficiary files in March for their benefits and they turn 62 on March 14 - they want their benefits to start in March or April - won’t happen because

1.  you have to be 62 for an entire month before your benefits can be activated.

2.  SS benefits are paid a month in arrears.

3.  benefits are paid based on your birthDAY.

So this beneficiary, will not be eligible for a benefit until May - because they will not be eligible for benefits until April 14 (30 days past their March 14 birthday)  - so if the claim is processed so that it can meet the deadline of the outgoing payments they would not get their 1st benefit until May (this would be their April payment) and if possible by the payment deadline would be paid on May 21 - third Wednesday of the month.

SSA.gov 2025 Calendar of Benefits Paid 

They would probably see their benefit letter about the end of April or beginning of May on their account - and by snail mail - who knows. ***]

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[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

That would have been about the time that they were trying to settle in to that remote work - yes, no doubt that slowed thing down - 

Now, it is not only the sheer number of baby boomers but it also the year end crunch - people seem to retire at the end of the year. 

[Winter2025VA]

[3/1/25] I agree @pl48622632 !!!  👍

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[*** @pl48622632 wrote:

AARP needs to do more to protest the reduction of workforce at SSA. ***]

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[MarkD524822]

@Winter2025VA 

@pl48622632 

my 2 cents, they already announced fireing over 7000 workers & are saying this will only increase wait times with phone calls, office closings, office visits & possible delays in paying SSA benefits. There are a lot of seniors that are not so computer literate and are more comfortable with talking to a live person rather then navigate a complicated & confusing website.

it’s too late for AARP to take a stand now to help seniors, with SSA when they should have been working harder for them quite some time ago. Seniors like my dad who has only monthly SSAN benefits to survive on deserve better service than this. He cannot have a delay in receiving his benefits to pay the lights, gas, water and other necessities.

Maybe that was 4 cents.

[schneider400]

My wife and I joined aarp partially because we thought it was here to help seniors. But I'm very unimpressed with how it's reacting to this attempt to gut and ultimately destroy social security - and don't kid yourself, that's exactly what this is.

If anyone on the aarp payroll is reading this: spend less time on articles about good vegetables to eat, and more time on saving the lives - literally - of your customers.

Or maybe it's time to found a real senior advocacy group, and cut out the fluff.

[GailL1]

@MarkD524822 

If your dad is on his Social Security benefits - Old Age Retirement including spousal, Survivors or Disability - he will not have a problem getting his benefits from anything that is happening in the agency due to personnel or administrative funding.

The Social Security programs have designated funding sources:

1.  Payroll Taxes from those currently working

2.  Taxes paid on Social Security benefits by beneficiaries

3.  Interest we get paid on those special treasuries where the surplus stays prior to getting redeemed when the need arises. 

Right now, we are redeeming those surplus special treasuries because what is coming in from those (3) sources is NOT enough to pay current beneficiaries their monthly amount.  The Trust Fund balance is dwindling every month.  So come about 2032 - 2035, without action by Congress,  the Trust Fund balance will be so low that your benefits BY LAW will be reduced  automatically.  The current estimate is about a 20% reduction.

Yet right now - Congress is adding benefits without adding any funding.  We have people in Congress that don’t seem to know how to add, subtract or understand the Social Security system.  BTW, we have been warned EVERY YEAR about this condition going back to at least 2010.

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] Mark @MarkD524822 , I am SO SORRY about your Dad!!!  😤

Folks tend to NOT care when they are financially set up in a way that they can do WITHOUT their RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY.

In my area of Virginia I am SO GLAD the influx of refugees the local churches had felt a NEED to fly in has STOPPED.

Time NOW to dedicate that caring/finances to LEGAL Americans as our area are facing INHUMANE LAYOFFS.

These layoffs I am referring to has ZERO to do with politics. (note to AARP Moderator, I am listening & NOT discussing politics.  🙄)

They STARTED in 2020 with the PANDEMIC and EVERY MONTH hundreds are being laid off.

We have lost like GENERAL ELECTRIC, been here FOREVER.

ALOT of SENIORS who were still WORKING in our area = now have to tap into their RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY.

Hmmm, now they are REDUCING the staff that PROCESSES applications???

Yes, there is Severance Packages & Unemployment BUT these DO NOT last forever.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nicole  👵

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[*** @MarkD524822 wrote 3/2/25:

@Winter2025VA 

@pl48622632 

my 2 cents, they already announced fireing over 7000 workers & are saying this will only increase wait times with phone calls, office closings, office visits & possible delays in paying SSA benefits. There are a lot of seniors that are not so computer literate and are more comfortable with talking to a live person rather then navigate a complicated & confusing website.

it’s too late for AARP to take a stand now to help seniors, with SSA when they should have been working harder for them quite some time ago. Seniors like my dad who has only monthly SSAN benefits to survive on deserve better service than this. He cannot have a delay in receiving his benefits to pay the lights, gas, water and other necessities.

Maybe that was 4 cents. ***]

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[BalbonisMoleskine]

FYI: You don't need to capitalize multiple words in each sentence, nor do you need to litter your posts with emojis. That's annoying to the rest of us. 

[Winter2025VA]

@BalbonisMoleskine FYI: I can do whatever I want to do within the AARP Guidelines!!! Did you buy THIS SITE from AARP??? 🤔  Or did they hire you as a Moderator???  🤔

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[*** @BalbonisMoleskine wrote:

FYI: You don't need to capitalize multiple words in each sentence, nor do you need to litter your posts with emojis. That's annoying to the rest of us. ***]

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[BalbonisMoleskine]

It's annoying to see paragraph after paragraph littered with emojis and caps that add zero to the points you're trying to make. It's like you're shouting at us. In real life, do you listen to people who are shouting at you? 

Dial it back as a courtesy to the rest of us. Remember: It's not your site. You're not even a moderator. 

[Winter2025VA]

@BalbonisMoleskine , I DIDNOT say I was an AARP Moderator but obviously you feel you are one. Here is a SUGGESTION for you. Ignore my posts!!!  👍

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[*** @BalbonisMoleskine wrote:

It's annoying to see paragraph after paragraph littered with emojis and caps that add zero to the points you're trying to make. It's like you're shouting at us. In real life, do you listen to people who are shouting at you? 

Dial it back as a courtesy to the rest of us. Remember: It's not your site. You're not even a moderator. ***]

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[BalbonisMoleskine]

Emojis and unnecessary capitalization are distracting, like having a conversation with someone who has a neck tattoo or buck teeth. Refrain for the sake of decorum. 

[Winter2025VA]

@BalbonisMoleskine HELLO 👋

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[*** @BalbonisMoleskine wrote:

Emojis and unnecessary capitalization are distracting, like having a conversation with someone who has a neck tattoo or buck teeth. Refrain for the sake of decorum. ***]

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[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

Many of the staff reductions are gonna be long term employees retiring - they have stayed for a while to train others since the attrition rate in the administration has been high.  They have put in their years and now time to retire.

Some are upset that they have had to come back into the office from the remote working which they did during the pandemic.  That’s understandable, change is hard so perhaps they are looking for another remote working job,

As you know, I am very old and have been retired for a very, very long time - never once have I missed a SS benefit deposit once started.  Thru different administrations, thru different party majorities, thru the pandemic, just like clock work, on time, every time, every month.

I’d be more worried about what is ahead of us when the Social Security Trust Fund income doesn’t have enough to cover the 

benefits being paid out and there is no action by Congress to make the corrections needed to fully fund it for the future.

In fact, many of the younger ones want a different system altogether.  

[schneider400]

I think you're high on something. The world's richest man is running the government, and he doesn't give a flying **** about you or me. And TBH, you've gotten yours, so why the hell should you care about people after you. So selfish.

[GailL1]

@schneider400 

Of course I care - Yes I am getting mine because I am probably older than many here.  I even waited until 70 to get the DRC.  

But I care the most about the Trust Fund balance going down - this isn’t something that is new - the annual Trustee Report has been cautioning about it since at least 2010.

SSA.gov - Trust Fund Data 1957 - current (combined)  

Notice the negative MILLIONS since 2021 in the net change column.

[BalbonisMoleskine]

"Some are upset that they have had to come back into the office from the remote working which they did during the pandemic.  That’s understandable, change is hard so perhaps they are looking for another remote working job."

Yes. The same phenomenon is playing out in the private sector and in government agencies in other countries, such as Canada: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/public-servants-remote-work-1.7471868

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] @GailL1 , retirement is part of life and is to be expected. So is training replacements & returning to the office AFTER THE 2020 PANDEMIC. So donot care that they are upset. At least hopefully they will RECEIVE THEIR RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY in a timely manner.  🙄  As far as the FUTURE, I may day today. RIGHT NOW in 2025 needs to be addressed and Seniors NEEDING their 1st RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT, need to get it.

YOU WROTE: Many of the staff reductions are gonna be long term employees retiring.

Nicole  👵

[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

For Social Security Retirement benefits, they will get their due benefit based on their eligibility and associated rules.

They will get any backpay they are due - going back 6-months based on their eligibility and associated rules.

I have not heard of one person that hasn’t gotten their benefits based on their eligibility and associated rules.

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] @GailL1 , 6 MONTHS will be TOO LATE for some Seniors!!!  😤  Some have lost their children & family = no couch to sleep on & forget the homeless shelters (full if any exists in their area). NO, instead of REDUCING STAFF, they need to get things CAUGHT UP. So glad I retired in 2020 BEFORE this nightmare arrived.

YOU WROTE: They will get any backpay they are due - going back 6-months.

Nicole  👵

[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

Also, you know that many people don’t qualify for Social Security program benefits - for some reason or another they never paid into the system or didn’t pay in long enough - so their only recourse is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - a welfare program for low income elderly, the blind and the disabled.  

It takes awhile to be approved for this benefit and it too goes through the SSA - the Social Security Administration also administers it.  With this SSI benefit, it starts out at (currently) about $ 950 a month but other cost paid for by others is deducted from this amount as in-kind payments.  Some do get the added benefit of establishing an SSA.gov - ABLE account  if they come into any money - up to $ 100,000.00 tax fee, even earnings, that can be sued for their care.  

I believe next year (01/01/2026)  the affliction date will change from 26 to 46 the Able Account. 

SSA.gov - ABLE ACT 

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] No I didnot know this @GailL1 !!! I wonder IF they will "mess" with this since it is welfare. Oh well. Nicole  👵

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[*** @GailL1 wrote:

@Winter2025VA 

Also, you know that many people don’t qualify for Social Security program benefits - for some reason or another they never paid into the system or didn’t pay in long enough - so their only recourse is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - a welfare program for low income elderly, the blind and the disabled.  

It takes awhile to be approved for this benefit and it too goes through the SSA - the Social Security Administration also administers it.  With this SSI benefit, it starts out at (currently) about $ 950 a month but other cost paid for by others is deducted from this amount as in-kind payments.  Some do get the added benefit of establishing an SSA.gov - ABLE account  if they come into any money - up to $ 100,000.00 tax fee, even earnings, that can be sued for their care.  

I believe next year (01/01/2026)  the affliction date will change from 26 to 46 the Able Account. 

SSA.gov - ABLE ACT ***]

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[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

If you ever want to do some interesting reading - this pamphlet from the government on understanding Supplemental Security Income is interesting.  Some of the areas to which you have many concerns are covered like Homelessness (page 115).

SSA.gov - 2024 Edition of Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 

Actually, I don’t know if they can change it or not or how - they maybe able to change some of the things relating to non-citizens but maybe not citizens.   (page 105)

[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

You know, I feel for people that live so close to the edge or make their plans after going over the edge.  I feel for them but I don’t forgive them - we have a lifetime to prepare for old age - at least come contingency plans ned to be made.  

I wonder if many seniors know that if they are less than full retirement age but at least 62 they can put in an application for their Old Age Retirement benefits but it will be at a reduced rate for filing early.  However, if they have a disability, they can also put in an application for SSDI disability, for which there is no deduction for age - it is the full benefit.  

They can start receiving their old age retirement SSOA and if they are approved for a disability they will be switched to SSDI with full benefits and back make up pay to the SSDI rate. 

Actually, those on up in the age have a better chance in receiving the SSDI benefits although it may take longer to be approved or rejected and may involve a lawyer sometimes if one wants it adjudicated after a denial.  

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] @GailL1 , some of us made the decision to RETIRE at AGE 62 for various reasons & KNEW about the reduced payments. At least I did!!! As far as the decisions folks make or will make, I do not judge them. And I live my life my way. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @GailL1 wrote:

@Winter2025VA 

You know, I feel for people that live so close to the edge or make their plans after going over the edge.  I feel for them but I don’t forgive them - we have a lifetime to prepare for old age - at least come contingency plans ned to be made.  

I wonder if many seniors know that if they are less than full retirement age but at least 62 they can put in an application for their Old Age Retirement benefits but it will be at a reduced rate for filing early.  However, if they have a disability, they can also put in an application for SSDI disability, for which there is no deduction for age - it is the full benefit.  

They can start receiving their old age retirement SSOA and if they are approved for a disability they will be switched to SSDI with full benefits and back make up pay to the SSDI rate. 

Actually, those on up in the age have a better chance in receiving the SSDI benefits although it may take longer to be approved or rejected and may involve a lawyer sometimes if one wants it adjudicated after a denial.  ***]

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[GailL1]

Why ?