The Trump administration’s push to cut federal staffing across various agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA), is causing concerns about the reliability of critical systems, especially those used to manage Social Security benefits. As President Trump continues his drive to reduce the federal workforce, Social Security employees with essential technical expertise are leaving, creating a serious risk of disruptions in benefit payments.
The Problem: Technical Expertise is Fading
Under President Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce, the Social Security Administration is facing a significant loss of key staff. This includes experienced professionals who manage and troubleshoot the systems that ensure Social Security payments are processed on time. According to reports, nearly a quarter of the team at the SSA’s Baltimore office has either already left or plans to leave soon due to resignations and retirements.
The issue is particularly concerning for those managing payment systems, as many of them are highly skilled in specialized software and systems that keep the benefits running smoothly. As a result, with fewer experts remaining in the agency, critical software updates and system modernization processes are falling behind, and the risk of technical glitches that could delay or stop benefit payments has increased.
Concerns Over the Impact of Loss of Expertise
One employee from the Baltimore office spoke with the Washington Post, revealing that software professionals are leaving the SSA for higher-paying positions in the private sector. He expressed concern that the lack of qualified individuals could result in delays and failures in fixing technical problems. “That has to get cleaned up on a case-by-case basis, and the experts in how to do that are leaving,” he said. “We will have cases that get stuck, and they’re not going to be able to get fixed. People could be out of benefits for months.”
These concerns are not without merit. Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley previously warned that changes being made by the Department of Government Efficiency to the SSA could lead to a “system collapse,” noting that the agency had already experienced IT outages. These outages have raised further alarms about the agency’s ability to maintain its infrastructure and provide consistent service to the millions of Americans relying on Social Security benefits.
The Push to Move Off COBOL and Other System Upgrades
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the SSA is attempting to modernize its systems by transitioning away from outdated technologies like COBOL, a programming language used in the agency’s systems for decades. Wired recently reported that the Digital Optimization Government Efficiency (DOGE) program is working to migrate the Social Security Administration’s computer systems away from COBOL within a matter of months. However, the rapid pace of this transition raises concerns about potential complications during the migration process and the possibility of new system failures.
The Transition to Electronic Payments
In addition to the staffing challenges, the Trump administration has also pushed to phase out paper checks for Social Security payments, a move that will impact nearly half a million Americans. As of March, an analysis by Axios found that 0.7% of the 68.2 million Social Security recipients were still receiving their benefits by paper check. While this represents a small percentage, it still amounts to nearly 456,000 people who could be affected by the transition to electronic payments.
The SSA has provided instructions for beneficiaries to switch to direct deposit or receive their benefits via debit cards, but for those who are not familiar with technology, this shift may be challenging. Many individuals have reported difficulties in reaching the SSA by phone, with wait times often running for hours as phone lines become overloaded.
Despite these challenges, the SSA has promised to make exceptions for individuals without access to banking or electronic payment methods. Additionally, emergency payments and certain law enforcement activities will still be handled through paper checks, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left without support.
Reactions to the Administration’s Efforts
White House spokeswoman Liz Huston defended the administration’s actions, stating that President Trump was fulfilling his mandate to make the federal government more efficient. She emphasized that Social Security benefits would continue to be paid out, despite the changes being implemented within the SSA. “He has promised to protect Social Security, and every recipient will continue to receive their benefits,” Huston told Fortune in a statement.
However, critics argue that the administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, particularly within the SSA, could be a backdoor attempt to cut payments and weaken the agency. These critics point to the mounting delays in processing claims and the difficulty beneficiaries are experiencing in accessing help from SSA offices.
One employee shared with the Post that the increased workload and reduced staff have left many workers feeling overwhelmed. “There is just no time to breathe or get anything else done,” the employee said. “We used to be efficient.”
What’s Next for the Social Security Administration?
As the Trump administration continues its efforts to downsize the federal government, the Social Security Administration faces growing challenges in maintaining its critical systems and ensuring that beneficiaries continue to receive timely payments. The loss of skilled technical staff and the move to phase out paper checks are causing concern among those who rely on Social Security benefits, and the agency’s ability to adapt to these changes will be key in determining the future of the program.
With technical glitches and system failures already affecting the agency, it remains to be seen how the SSA will manage these challenges moving forward. For now, beneficiaries are advised to prepare for potential disruptions and to stay updated on any changes to the way they receive their payments.
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