Social Security Faces Risk of Payment Disruptions in Coming Months Due to Workforce Cuts

Former commissioner warns that staffing reductions and IT vulnerabilities could lead to system collapse and missed benefits for millions.

Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley predicts potential interruptions in benefit payments within 30 to 90 days due to staff cuts and IT system issues.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has implemented significant workforce reductions, impacting the Social Security Administration's operations.
SSA's aging IT infrastructure, combined with the loss of experienced personnel, has already caused outages and heightened the risk of a broader system failure.
Union officials and experts warn that reduced staffing could delay new claims processing and potentially increase improper payments.
Critics argue that these changes could create political backlash and financial hardship for the over 73 million Americans who rely on Social Security benefits.