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

[SpringIsHereVA]

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

[SMC58]

AARP, we need your leadership. No more games and meaningless clicks to get points for stuff. The planned gutting (or robbing) of social security and medicare benefits is a travesty.  DOGE is firing civil servants who support the elderly and the poor while DOGE represents coldblooded billionaires.  We must fight to stop this sabotaging of the people's purse!

[GailL1]

@SMC58 

What “ planned gutting (or robbing) of social security and medicare benefit“ are your talking about?  

Last I heard those that have been involved in the WEP/GPO are getting thousands of dollars into their bank accounts as a result of the Social Security Fairness Act passed at the end of last year.  Government employees who are retired are very happy campers now + the ones that will retire in the future.  

BUT yet we have had NO action by any in Congress on fixing the financial shape of the Trust Funds - Social Security and Medicare (Part A).   And this problems has been reported to us every year since at least 2010 in the annual Social Security Trustee Report.  

Where is the outcry over that - when your benefits will be AUTOMATICALLY cut by about 20%.

I am gonna do everybody a favor and reprint the Letter to the Public here from the last administration.

SSA.gov 2024 Trustee Report Summary  

from the link ~

A SUMMARY OF THE 2024 ANNUAL REPORTS

Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees

A MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC:

The Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds report on the current and projected financial status of the two programs each year. This document summarizes the findings of the 2024 reports. As in prior years, we found that the Social Security and Medicare programs both continue to face significant financing issues.

Based on our best estimates, this year's reports show that:

• The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, unchanged from last year's report. At that time, the fund's reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 79 percent of scheduled benefits.
• The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund is projected to be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits through at least 2098, the last year of this report's projection period. Last year's report projected that the DI Trust Fund would be able to pay scheduled benefits through at least 2097, the last year of that report's projection period.
• If the OASI Trust Fund and the DI Trust Fund projections are combined, the resulting projected fund (designated OASDI) would be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2035, one year later than reported last year. At that time, the projected fund's reserves will become depleted and continuing total fund income will be sufficient to pay 83 percent of scheduled benefits. (The two funds could not actually be combined unless there were a change in the law, but the combined projection of the two funds is frequently used to indicate the overall status of the Social Security program.)
• {ME:  THIS IS PART A MEDICARE} The Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2036, 5 years later than reported last year. At that point, that fund's reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 89 percent of total scheduled benefits.
• {ME:  THIS IS PART B MEDICARE} The Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund is adequately financed into the indefinite future because, unlike the other trust funds, its main financing sources--enrolled beneficiary premiums and the assocoated federal contributions from the Treasury--are automatically adjusted each year to cover costs for the upcoming year. Although the financing is assured, the rapidly rising SMI costs have been placing steadily increasing demands on beneficiaries and general taxpayers.

The projected long-term finances of the combined OASDI fund improved this year primarily due to an upward revision to the level of labor productivity over the projection period and a lower assumed long-term disability incidence rate.

These improvements were partially offset by a decrease in the assumed long-term total fertility rate. The revision to labor productivity was based on stronger economic growth in 2023 than had been anticipated in last year’s reports. The Trustees lowered the long-term disability incidence and fertility rate assumptions based on continued low levels in both series.

The projected long-term finances of the HI Trust Fund also improved this year relative to last. This improvement was due to several factors, including a policy change correcting for the way medical education expenses are accounted for in Medicare Advantage rates starting in 2024, higher payroll tax income resulting from the stronger-than-expected economy, and actual 2023 expenditures that were lower than projected last year.

The change in the projected long-term finances of the SMI Trust Fund from last year’s report varies over the projection period. For Part B, the long-range projections as a percent of GDP are lower than those projected last year through 2056 and higher thereafter. This change reflects the combined effects of lower projected spending for outpatient hospital and home health agency services and revised GDP projections. For Part D, the expenditure share of GDP is projected to be higher than last year early in the projection period and to continue to vary but become more similar to last year’s estimates later in the projection period. These changes largely reflect revisions to drug utilization, enrollment, and GDP projections.

Lawmakers have many options for changes that would reduce or eliminate the long-term financing shortfalls. Taking action sooner rather than later will allow consideration of a broader range of solutions and provide more time to phase in changes so that the public has adequate time to prepare.

By the Trustees:

Janet Yellen,
   Secretary of the Treasury,
   and Managing Trustee of the Trust Funds.


Xavier Becerra,
   Secretary of Health and Human Services,
   and Trustee.

Julie A. Su,
   Acting Secretary of Labor,
   and Trustee.


Martin O'Malley,
   Commissioner of Social Security,
   and Trustee.

[BalbonisMoleskine]

Workers don't want to pay more in FICA. Retirees don't want to pay income taxes on their SS benefits. Those are two major hurdles.

[fffred]

I fully understand the point of not increasing FICA taxes. Such action would require individuals to adjust their entire personal budgeting. Even they don't, their finances will feel the effect of their budget being adjusted for them from outside forces. The same effect as when inflation suddenly increases, for example from 2% to 10%. They had no choice in this. The family's "pie" has to be cut up differently, decisions have to be made as to where to cut and how much, in order to pay for other increased costs. 

On the other hand, giving a certain category of people a permanent tax holiday doesn't seem like it can be justified, or at least some justification should be given. Retirees are already often given a break on property taxes for their home. Maybe instead young people with families should be given more tax breaks because they are raising children, the future workers and drivers of economic expansion, and  they'll be paying FICA payroll taxes to support retirees.

It's important to acknowledge that SS retirement benefits are already not taxed...up to $25,000 or $32,000 (single or a couple). Those above that income may have their benefit subject to income tax on a sliding range up to 85% only. So it's not those at the lowest levels of the economic cake that are wanting tax-free benefits but those in a more middle class level of income. So I still don't see how it can be justified to not tax SS benefits.

[GAKKIEZ]

@fffred You make no sense!  Why should I have my SS taxed and not others just because I sacrificed and planned for my retirement and thusly have a higher income?  Too many of the non-planners took early benefits (62), worked for wages (under the table, possibly to avoid child support?), spent lavishly (priorities) rather than plan for retirement.  I'm tired of being penalized for making informed choices.

[fffred]

@GAKKIEZ   I think you need to get your spectacles checked. You seem to be whinging about you having to pay tax on SS while others don't. And (the part where you need to check your reading comprehension) you seem to be saying that I am pushing no income tax on SS benefits (except for you). That was not my point.

I did point out that under existing law only some recipients are subject to possible income tax on their benefits. Don't shoot the messenger.

[GailL1]

@GAKKIEZ 

It will never be equal because it can’t be really.  At the Federal or Local level - think about how many seniors are living on a very low amount of money - they will get some SNAP benefits, maybe Medicaid to go along with their Medicare.  They will even get their Medicare premiums for Parts A I(if a premium is assessed ) and B paid for out of your state taxes.  They could get a LIHEAP, Sect. 8 housing or subsidized housing.  

We pay for those that can’t - and CAN’T covers a lot of ground - so it isn’t the reason so much as they just  CAN’T.

However I do think that both the Feds and the State have to do a good job in determining positively that folks CAN’T.  But some states expand these limits for their citizens that can’t - you would have to determine these based on your state.

Those Medicare Savings Programs or low income subsidy help really have very minimal eligibility limits - 

Medicare.gov -  Medicare Savings Programs 

SSA.gov - POMS - Eligibility for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) 

[GailL1]

@fffred 

Just like the changes to Social Security that preserved it back in the 80’s, certain changes like increasing the FRA or the FICA tax or even the tax on benefits can be phased in over a number of years - in the 80’s it was 40 years.  

Course that means that we have to act NOW - the longer we wait, the more drastic the measures have to be - 

That’s plainly where we are now - nobody wants anything to touch them, they want all the fund finding to come from somebody or some place other than what touches them and our (2) political parties are using this to slowly do damage to the Social Security program - 

Do you think we will ever wake up to the realities?  

The REALITIES:  

• Because of technology and jobs moving out of the country - we have a reduced workforce paying into the system.
• adding or changing benefits without associated funding thru the years.
• not increasing funding to the Trust Funds when the forecasted numbers plainly show that there is a problem.
• ADD MORE OF YOUR OWM 

[SpringIsHereVA]

[Friday 3/7/25] @GailL1 , @fffred , @SMC58 and @LizM253275 - do you think it is time to SET UP something different moving forward. It is obvious the Retirement Social Security is NOT working. I have often READ about how OTHER countries provide for THEIR OLD. Anyway, just my 1/2 cent.  😏

[BalbonisMoleskine]

I don't think anyone should get a tax break for anything: having kids, having a mortgage, passing a certain age, making charitable donations, funding an IRA, etc. That would eliminate a lot of politics and simplify the state and federal tax codes to a two-line postcard: Line 1 is your total household income across all types (salary, interest, capital gains, etc.) and Line 2 is the tax on Line 1.

[GailL1]

Now, @BalbonisMoleskine , How would government get you to do what they want you to do if that were the case?  

Save for retirement 

buy an EV

Solarize your home

Heck, even buy health insurance nowadays 

etc.

[BalbonisMoleskine]

AARP simply doesn't have the influence that you assume and hope.

[LizM253275]

I am glad that AARP is waking up to the crisis forming at the Social Security Administration.  Please, PLEASE send out an urgent alert to all members to CALL their representatives.  Emails are ok, but calls and visits are better.  Congress is going into recess soon.  People need to show up at their representatives' offices and make their feelings known!

[GAKKIEZ]

Not an issue!  There is too much inefficiency in most of these programs! Get all employees back in the office and not working from home!  Continue investigations into allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse (we all know of at least one person abusing the system).  

[BalbonisMoleskine]

I have two relatives who are longtime SSA employees. They have worked from home since the pandemic and are highly productive. For example, one is an ALJ. ALJs already hear all cases by phone or video. Thus there is no reason for ALJs to go to the office. 

[JohnB366070]

Social Security is established by the US Congress. The President's job is to execute the policy established by Congress. A massive restructuring is illegal without congressional authorization. Let's organize to stop this before it's too late!

[LizM253275]

AARP needs to get on the ball and have ALL their members calling their representatives!  The Trump administration is going to say what people want to hear and then do what they want.  They want to strip Social Security.  Look at their actions, not what they are saying!

[KristinT104072]

AARP’s weak-tea “response” to this outrage (“please give us more information about how you’re going to destroy Social Security, because we think many of our members maybe might object, but possibly others might be Trump cult members and we certainly don’t want to risk losing any dues-paying folks so we’ll pretend that we might decide that destroying Social Security is okay once we get that information we’re asking for, but honestly we’d really rather just continue to publish puzzles and celebrity profiles and cartoons poking gentle fun at the aging process instead of advocating for our members”) is pathetic.  AARP is supposed to be an advocate for seniors. Advocate, don’t equivocate, for heaven’s sake.

[BalbonisMoleskine]

AARP simply doesn't have the influence that you assume and hope. 

[smartin2704]

Whoever voted for him, I hope they’re happy!

[JohnH409174]

AARP is looking to be the ultimate in Milk Toast Generic Lobbies. Grow a spine and stand AGAINST Elon and the felon! You're supposed to be fighting for the older gens. Whatever I give you in membership could just as easily go to ACLU or Public TV and Radio. I'm thinking my money would get much better results from those entities. Remember that Medicaid is two letters away from Medicare. That orange outfit just doesn't care. 

[GailL1]

@JohnH409174 wrote:  . . . . Remember that Medicaid is two letters away from Medicare.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MEDICARE has designated funding -

(1)  payroll taxes for Part A Medicare goes into the Trust Fund.

(2) Part B is funded by premiums that beneficiaries pay OR is paid for them by their state if they are income/asset eligible for one of the Medicare Savings Programs. - those cover 25%; the remaining 75% comes from the General Fund.

MEDICAID is totally funded by state and federal taxes and is a shared program with the states doing the design, implementation and running under a minimum requirement set by the Feds.  Eligibility depends on income, resources and assets.

MEDICAID covers lots of different programs covering everything from babies still in the womb to ABLED BODIED CHILDLESS low income folks and in between all those people in need - blind, elderly, disabled, long term care - with a host of related programs.

For the like of me, I cannot figure out why our Federal government reimburses states at a higher percentage (90%) for those ABLED BODIED CHILDLESS being covered because of the ACA expanded medicaid program than those more desperate in their needs where the Feds only reimburse states at a 50% - 70% level.

The CBO estimates that .. . . setting the federal share of medical expenditures for enrollees made eligible by the ACA so that it equals the rate used for other enrollees—would reduce the deficit by $604 BILLION from 2024 to 2032.

https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/58624

So should the AARP support a reduction in this ACA spending mandate?

[pl48622632]

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

[GailL1]

Why?  Once this push from the remaining boomers to start their benefits is over, could we get rid of the extra personnel then.  Government is great at getting bigger and bigger not so good at getting smaller even when there is little need.  

Like I said before, we have to learn how to work more efficiently because out debt is unsustainable at $ 37 TRILLION.  If we do not begin to get this under control, we may not get any benefits because they will be slurped up by just our payment of interest on the debt.  

I would rather you get your benefit than paying (2) employees for work that could be handled by (1) employee.  

You can follow the changes here:

SSA.gov Press Releases 

Same for Medicare:

CMS.gov - News Releases 

[SpringIsHereVA]

[3/2/25] @GailL1 , in my very humble opinion - they will NEVER GET CAUGHT UP!!! Why? People are RETIRING EVERY DAY. Meanwhile OUR HOMELESS SENIOR CITIZENS are increasing. This is NOT an area to REDUCE staff.

YOU WROTE: Why? Once this push from the remaining boomers to start their benefits is over, could we get rid of the extra personnel then.

Nicole  👵

[GailL1]

@SpringIsHereVA 

Of course, the push for filing will not be as great when the last of the baby boomers have been worked through - that should be about 2030.

I do not understand your connection between the staffing at the Social Security Administration and Homeless Senior Citizens - each has to file for benefits that they are due either by earning the entitlement (Social Security program)  or by entitlement due to income and resource level (Supplemental Security Income) - neither gets a higher benefit than they are due based on the rules of each program.

Shelter is under the governing of HUD - Housing and Urban Development but even there, they cannot force private enterprise to build housing if there is not a supportive programs to entice them todo so.   

We have already figured out a long time ago that public housing isn’t the answer because of a number of reasons.  

Reduce the debt that our country currently has (37 TRILLION) and maybe we could begin to once again entice private enterprise to build more subsidized housing - but right now subsidizing anything is difficult because we have NO MONEY.

Name one government agency or sub-agency that has ever been closed down after it was started and its usefulness has vanished?

“The closest thing to eternal life on earth is a government program”

[SpringIsHereVA]

[3/2/25] @GailL1 what happens when a SENIOR who has applied for their RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY since 2024 has NOT received it?  🤔  My post was talking about them, NOT the disabled and whatever else is out there. ANSWER: Eviction or foreclosure IS POSSIBLE. Anyway, I am done as nothing I say will change this. My heart goes out to those still WAITING on their RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY.  💛🤗

YOU WROTE: I do not understand your connection between the staffing at the Social Security Administration and Homeless Senior Citizens.

Nicole  👵

[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. 

[GailL1]

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