📋 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

[schneider400]

Could you stop with the stupid Reagan quote already?

[Winter2025VA]

[3/1/25] @GailL1 , two reasons. (1) This reduction in staff will further SLOW DOWN old people receiving their RETIREMENT SOCIAL SECURITY. Hundreds of posts ON THIS SITE about this issue. (2) There is way too many people of ALL AGES ending up homeless due to job losses.

*** Not looking to argue with anyone or get into politics. A note to AARP Moderator. Just saying!  🙄  ***

Anyway, it is what it is Gail. Just my thoughts and no one is required to agree.

I also RESPECT other opinions.  👍

Take Care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @GailL1 wrote 3/1/25:

Why ? ***]

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[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

Any application has to go thru the steps for approval based on the persons eligibility and associated rules.

Apply (4) months before you want your benefits to start and make sure you know how that starting date is counted if you are filing for early benefits (62).  

Supply any require documents.  

The SSA group works on applications based on your age and the date you want your benefits to start.  It isn’t a first served process. 

[Winter2025VA]

[3/2/25] @GailL1 , from the hundreds of complaints on THIS SITE - they KNEW what to do. DID it. Still STUCK in the system. Nicole  👵

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[*** @GailL1 wrote:

@Winter2025VA 

Any application has to go thru the steps for approval based on the persons eligibility and associated rules.

Apply (4) months before you want your benefits to start and make sure you know how that starting date is counted if you are filing for early benefits (62).  

Supply any require documents.  

The SSA group works on applications based on your age and the date you want your benefits to start.  It isn’t a first served process. ***]

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[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

Most Retirement claims go off just like clockwork - especially if the beneficiary knows the rules of eligibility and have the necessary documentations.  

It takes (4) months or less to begin claims that’s just because of the number of them.  

A lot and I do mean a LOT of especially filing of early benefits claims are problematic either in timing or they are still working and do not understand the earnings cap.

I spend the majority of time answering questions about Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare and Medicare/Medicaid.  I try to help people but the questions are many times the very basic ones.  This is also the reason why the phone banks at the SSA - local and national numbers - stay bogged down - they are overwhelmed with questions - questions that are easy to find on the website.

People would rather call or post on a board than to look up the info.  

[Winter2025VA]

[3/1/25] @GailL1 , just to clarify - do you feel the staff reductions will affect FUTURE applications being processed?

And YES, I am sure what you said is correct.

*** I and @pl48622632 feel AARP needs to do more to prevent this staff reduction. Unless I am missing it, you didnot say what you thought. ***

As usual, NO PRESSURE to respond.

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @GailL1 wrote:

@Winter2025VA 

Most Retirement claims go off just like clockwork - especially if the beneficiary knows the rules of eligibility and have the necessary documentations.  

It takes (4) months or less to begin claims that’s just because of the number of them.  

A lot and I do mean a LOT of especially filing of early benefits claims are problematic either in timing or they are still working and do not understand the earnings cap.

I spend the majority of time answering questions about Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare and Medicare/Medicaid.  I try to help people but the questions are many times the very basic ones.  This is also the reason why the phone banks at the SSA - local and national numbers - stay bogged down - they are overwhelmed with questions - questions that are easy to find on the website.

People would rather call or post on a board than to look up the info. ***]

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[GailL1]

Why ?