Social Security: True or False?
There has been so much confusion about potential – and real – changes to Social Security that I am writing this column/newsletter, and will consistently update it at TerrySavage.com, with the latest real-time, FACTUAL information, and answers to your questions.
More than 72 million Americans depend on Social Security retirement or supplemental income or disability benefits. It is unthinkable that the system could fail – even for a short period of time. For those in the lowest 20% of income, 82% rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income!
Although the billionaire Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, recently opined that his mother-in-law wouldn’t notice a missed Social Security check, she is certainly in the minority!
While the Doge “bull-in-the-china-shop” approach is certainly concerning, I continue to believe that Congress – both parties – will realize the seriousness of the situation with Social Security and exercise some control.
In the meantime, except for contacting your representatives of BOTH PARTIES and advocacy groups like AARP and the Alliance of Retired Americans – there is nothing you can do, and no reason to panic. Be sure to get your news from reputable sources, because there is a lot of fear-mongering and hyperbole out there. The reality is bad enough without scare tactics.
The below list of True or False questions and answers about Social Security will be continuously updated, reflecting the latest news – The Savage Truth. And, please post your questions on my AskTerry blog at www.TerrySavage.com.
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Q. Must I re-register to continue collecting my Social Security?
A. No! If you are currently collecting Social Security benefits you do NOT have to re-register or contact SS in any way --- UNLESS, you want to make changes in your account or banking information.
Q. I have heard I have to go in person to a Social Security office to sign up for Social Security, or make changes. Is that true?
A. Acting Commissioner [and shortly we should have a new real Commissioner] Lee Dudek has decreed that in order to avoid fraud, registrations for SS will not be taken over the phone. That can only be done online at SSA.gov [here’s the link: Apply for Social Security Benefits | SSA]
Your best bet at getting any changes done is online. If you don’t have computer access or aren’t computer savvy, go to your local public library. Many are offering special services to seniors.
At SSA.gov, you can apply for retirement benefits, spousal benefits, survivor’s benefits, and SSI. It’s all done online.
Q. I heard that they are closing so many SS offices, so how will I be able to get an appointment?
A. Acting Commissioner Dudek has walked back his plans to close SS offices, and on Thursday, March 27th, he issued a statement denying media reports that the Social Security Administration has permanently closed some field offices. Yet earlier this month, the SSA announced it would reduce staffing to 50,000 from its current level of 57,000 employees and reduce its 10 regional oversight offices to four.
Read more here: Social Security Is Not Giving Straight Answers on Field Office Closures.
And here’s the latest press release from SSA, denying office closures: https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-03-27-a
Q. Is there another way I can find out what my benefits SHOULD be, after the end of the WEP, and whether I should claim on my own record or that of my spouse (or ex-spouse)?
A. It is increasingly difficult to get in touch with Social Security as we are all now aware. But here’s one helpful alternative:
Larry Kotlikoff (Social Security expert and my co-author of Social Security Horror Stories) has a great website – www.MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com. There, for $49, you can securely run both your SS information and that of your spouse (or ex-spouse, or late spouse) to see what benefits you SHOULD be receiving – especially now that the WEP and GPO reductions have been eliminated by the Fairness Act. Once you know what benefit you should be getting, it will be easier to deal with SS when you do get in touch.
Q. When will I get my Fairness Act payments for WEP and GPO?
A. Millions of recipients who had their SS retirement benefits (or spousal benefits) reduced because of the WEP and GPO have already received two things: 1) a large deposit to “catch up” for the reductions in 2024 and Jan/Feb of 2025. Some of those deposits are as large as $10,000. And 2) when they get their regular monthly deposit, it is larger, because it is no longer reduced by the WEP.
NOTE: If you have not received your “catch-up” payment yet, or your higher monthly benefit, please wait until at least May. This is a huge project involving re-programming millions of recipients’ accounts.
IMPORTANT: If you never registered for SS because of the WEP reduction, you must do so now – ONLINE – see instructions above. But, you’ll also want to use the MaximizeMySocialSecurity software to know exactly what amount you should expect to receive each month.
Q. I hear you need to create a new sign-in to get to your account at Social Security online.
A. Everyone should create their own “mySocialSecurity” account online at SSA.gov. Here is the direct link: my Social Security | SSA
Many people have already created their own account, which allows them to track their earnings records, and their benefits.
BUT, if you created your “mySocialSecurity” account more than 3 years ago – or if you are just creating an account now – there is a new security procedure. You’ll need to set up a secure account at Login.gov. (That account is also used for TSA travel registration, VA benefits, the Labor Department for state unemployment insurance applications, and other government functions and websites.)
Login.gov gives you access to many government websites, with one saved email and password. It uses two-factor authentication – meaning you will need to confirm any attempts to log in, much as your bank likely does. (Yes, it sounds complex, but you’ll get used to it.)
Q. I just received a clawback notification from Social Security telling me ALL my benefits would be suspended for years until this huge amount – their overpayment mistake – can be recouped. I thought they could only take 10% of your check. How will I live??
A. The former Social Security Commissioner, Martin O’Malley, recognized the unfairness of trying to fix the agency’s mistakes by completely suspending benefits. Instead, he decreed that only 10% would be withheld. Acting Commissioner Dudek announced the policy change to demand immediate 100% suspension of benefits in the case of newly-issued clawback notices, starting March 27th.
That’s ironic, since one of the major sources of errors leading to clawbacks was the now-ended WEP and GPO pension offset, which the agency failed to consider. If you get a clawback notice, you are entitled to appeal based on inaccuracy, or request a waiver because you are impoverished. But this process can take a long time, working through the SS website or waiting to get an in-person appointment.
SocialSecurityAdvisors.com can help you with appeals.
This change will not affect people who have already agreed to a 10% withholding to repay clawbacks, nor to beneficiaries of SSI programs for the impoverished or children. But the agency will once again confiscate tax refunds to offset its clawbacks, something that was suspended during the pandemic.
I fully expect that when these 100% clawbacks go into effect in the coming weeks, starting with benefits payments that are not deposited in April, there will be such a hue and cry that this 100% clawback policy will be adjusted.
Q. How can I effectively protest and let my Congressional representatives know how angry I am?
AARP will be leading the charge against these changes that threaten delivery of SS benefits to 72 million seniors. Click on this link at the AARP.org website to find out how to effectively contact Congress about this issue: AARP Urges Outreach to Congress Over Social Security
Q. I hear the Doge people are “messing around” with the computers at Social Security. Should I be worried?
A. Social Security programming was written more than 60 years ago in “Cobol” – a computer language that is highly outdated. Safely rewriting that code would take years—DOGE wants it done in months. That has caused some consternation that benefits would be interrupted and delayed. Musk claims Artificial Intelligence can do the job easily. I’m more worried about human stupidity.
We shall see if the nominee for Commissioner – a seasoned financial transactions executive – can safely organize what should be done, and when. But an overhaul of the systems at SSA is long overdue.
Want to learn more? Read this: DOGE Plans to Rebuild SSA Code Base in Months, Risking Benefits and System Collapse | WIRED
Q. Who will be the new Social Security Commissioner?
A. The nominee is Frank Bisignano, former CEP of FiServ, a highly respected financial services technology and payments company. Ideally, Bisignano would have the kind of expertise needed to modernize Social Security’s antiquated technology.
But according to an excellent newsletter by Charles T. Hall, “Frank Bisignano, President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Social Security Administration, testified under oath at his confirmation hearing Tuesday that he has had no contact with the Elon Musk cost-cutting team that is directing a major downsizing of the agency.
But Sen. Ron Wyden (Oregon), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said the claim is “not true,” citing an account the senator said he received from a senior Social Security official who recently left the agency.. . describing “numerous contacts Mr. Bisignano made with the agency since his nomination,” including “frequent” conversations with senior executives.
Read more at: https://socsecnews.blogspot.com/
There will be a further consideration of this nomination of Frank Bisignano to be Commissioner of Social Security Administration (SSA) during an executive session of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, April 1 at 10:00 AM.
Q. What is this “Doge Dividend Check” I’ve been hearing about?
A. It seems to be a figment of Elon Musk’s very creative imagination. He has speculated that the President (remember, Elon is not elected) would “pass on” some of the savings from their government cuts (and the fraud and waste he expects to find in SS) to the general public in a new sort of “stimulus check.” BUT, it would require an act of Congress to make a payment. And with the government running up against the debt ceiling, any “found money” from slashing government spending and employment would likely go toward limiting increases in the national debt.
Want to read more about this vague promise: Elon Musk Promises ‘More Social Security’ In Dubious Charm Offensive
And that story brings us back to the massive uncertainty, rumors, headlines, and political maneuvering on the topic of Social Security – for now, and in the future. It’s difficult to keep your blood pressure under control.
A Final Savage Truth:
I continue to advise waiting until full retirement age – or even age 70, if you can afford it – to collect your Social Security benefits. Waiting guarantees you a higher monthly benefit – about 8% for every year you wait until age 70.
We all know that changes must be made to ensure the future solvency of the program, beyond 2035. Those changes likely must involve raising the wage cap on SS “contributions”, delaying retirement for much younger workers, and other creative blends of changes.
But if Social Security is allowed to fail, the economic, political and social implications for ANY administration, and our entire society, would be such a calamity that it would overwhelm any appeal of “government efficiency.” The Baby Boom generation – of both political party persuasions – has a keen instinct for history, democracy – and their own self-interest! That’s the Savage Truth. |
Terry, thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteJack W