Concerns Over Access to Social Security Benefits
Recent changes within the Social Security Administration (SSA) have raised concerns among experts about potential difficulties for beneficiaries in accessing services and receiving payments. The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has initiated significant modifications, including staffing cuts and an accelerated shift to new technology, prompting fears about the impact on service quality and continuity of benefits.
Jason Fichtner, a former deputy commissioner at the SSA, expressed concerns about possible disruptions, noting that abrupt system upgrades could lead to unforeseen technical issues. The administration has eliminated 7,000 SSA employees and closed six regional offices, according to Fichtner and Kathleen Romig, a former senior official at the agency. These cuts could result in longer wait times for assistance through the SSA’s website, phone service, and field offices. This situation may particularly impact individuals with disabilities, who could face delays in receiving crucial benefits.
Technology Transition Raises Red Flags
A major point of concern is the Social Security Administration’s decision to transition away from its long-standing COBOL programming language on an accelerated timeline. The proposed overhaul, which would update tens of millions of lines of code, is being rushed through in just a few months instead of the usual years-long process. Experts warn that such a rapid transition could introduce critical errors that might affect benefit disbursements.
Fichtner emphasized that large-scale system upgrades typically begin with small-scale tests to identify potential issues before broader implementation. “You can’t just flip a switch one night and expect to be able to upgrade,” he said, adding that careful planning is necessary to maintain the stability of Social Security programs. Before reports of the COBOL transition surfaced, he was mainly concerned about customer service delays, but now he worries about direct interruptions to benefit payments.
The White House and Social Security Administration have dismissed these concerns, stating that reports of disruptions lack validity. However, skepticism remains among experts and advocacy groups, who argue that the SSA’s administrative capacity is already stretched thin and that sudden changes could compound existing challenges.
Need for Focus on Larger Reforms
While DOGE has positioned its efforts as a strategy to enhance efficiency and combat fraud, some policy experts argue that the focus on administrative changes distracts from more pressing long-term challenges facing Social Security.
Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute, cautioned that while administrative reforms might improve efficiency, they are unlikely to make a significant financial impact on the program’s overall trajectory. Instead, she urged policymakers to prioritize structural reforms to address the looming depletion of Social Security trust funds, which are projected to be exhausted by 2033.
Similarly, Charles Blahous, a former public trustee for Social Security and Medicare, noted that the Social Security Administration’s administrative budget accounts for less than 1% of total program outlays. Given this, he argued that cost-cutting efforts within the agency will not meaningfully improve the program’s solvency.
The Social Security trustees’ 2024 report estimated that, without intervention, the retirement trust fund will only be able to cover 79% of scheduled benefits by 2033. Experts warn that rushed administrative changes, if they lead to service disruptions, could further complicate necessary legislative efforts to ensure the program’s long-term stability.
