“We condemn the reckless actions of the acting Social Security Commissioner to radically reduce the workforce that administers Americans’ earned benefits. Social Security Administration leadership has sent an email to employees giving them until March 14th to decide whether to accept an ‘early buyout’ — or face an uncertain future at the agency. As one SSA veteran told Talking Points Memo, this is a way to say, ‘We are giving you a chance to leave on your own accord before we fire you.’
Not only is this grossly unfair to the civil servants who faithfully administer the Social Security program; it has grave implications for the 70 million Americans who depend on the efficient and timely delivery of their earned benefits. Compelling employees with seniority and experience to retire early while hoping to retrain remaining ones is a recipe for disaster. Social Security has not missed a single payment during its entire 89-year history. These actions put that record at risk.
This latest action by SSA leadership appears to be part of a concerted campaign by President Trump, Elon Musk and his DOGE squad, and their sympathizers at SSA to undermine the workings of Social Security. Earlier this week it was reported that acting Commissioner Leland Dudek seeks to cut the agency’s workforce by as much as 50% at a time when staffing already is at a 50-year low.
Radically reducing SSA staff is outrageous and irresponsible — and would devastate customer service to beneficiaries. There is no reason for slashing SSA’s workforce, other than the ideological crusade of Trump and Musk to hollow out the agency that administers our most popular social insurance program — and privatize as much of the federal government as they possibly can.” – Max Richtman, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
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Media inquiries:
Walter Gottlieb