Millions of people in the United States are being affected by Donald Trump’s cuts to Social Security. At the beginning of the year, in February, the Trump administration announced plans to reduce the SSA workforce by 12%, equivalent to approximately 7,000 workers. Rather than relieving state coffers, this understaffing has resulted in citizens’ claims being answered in a timely manner, thus delaying payments to those most in need. It’s worth remembering that the Department of Government Efficiency (led by Elon Musk at the time) also joined the SSA with the goal of implementing cuts.
SSA has been the foundation of retirement in the United State
Regarding the cuts to the SSA, SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano stated that “the agency is transforming the customer experience with more digital tools and data-driven monitoring.” Those in charge assure that the cuts are not intended to worsen the situation or harm citizens, but rather a move to modernize the system. For decades, Social Security has been the foundation of retirement in the United States: a monthly check that millions of seniors rely on for food, housing, and medical care.
In theory, the SSA’s initial plan was to reduce its workforce from nearly 57,000 employees in 2024 to approximately 50,000 by the end of fiscal year 2025. This reduction was accompanied by a digital modernization to facilitate access to services. All of this was according to official statements, which also stated that this saves money and keeps the agency up to date with digital trends.
The reality is that between March 2024 and March 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will cut about 12% of its workforce—nearly 7,000 jobs. Those reductions, spread across 46 states and Washington, D.C., are already creating longer delays, fewer in-person services, and growing anxiety among retirees who rely on their $2,000 average monthly benefit. “When it takes too long for your benefits to hit your bank account after you apply due to staffing shortages, you go months and months without the necessary income you were promised because you paid into them your entire life,” explains Jessica LaPointe, president of Council 220 of the American Federation of Government Employees.
Rural communities: internet service is unreliable and local offices are scarce
Ultimately, what’s emerging is that the Trump administration’s early-year cuts are having the opposite effect than intended, with some employees arguing that “the Trump administration’s hiring freeze and efforts to force employees to leave with early retirements and buyout offers made a difficult situation worse.” Furthermore, it’s not just the delays, bureaucracy, and errors that are at stake; experienced staff are already leaving retirees stranded, especially in rural communities where internet service is unreliable and local offices are scarce, as advocacy groups and employee unions say.
Wyoming saw the largest loss of staff in local offices, with a 17% reduction
The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) found that nearly every state lost staff between March 2024 and March 2025, and only Nebraska and Alaska gained staff, but together, they added just seven workers. The states with the most significant staff reductions are Wyoming, Montana, West Virginia, Hawaii, and New Mexico. For retirees in remote areas, this means longer drives to find an open office, fewer in-person appointments, and weeks of waiting for critical benefits to process. Wyoming saw the largest loss of staff in local offices, with a 17% reduction. Montana lost 14%, West Virginia lost 11%, Hawaii also reduced its workforce by 11%, and New Mexico by 10%.
The fact is that if we translate this into reality, into the daily lives of citizens, it’s a very serious problem. Many of the people who need this income rely on it to cover their basic needs, so a delay in receiving benefits can mean they can’t go to the supermarket, pump gas, or pay their rent. “When it takes too long to get your benefits into your bank account after you file because of the understaffing situation, you’re going months and months without the needed income that was promised to you because you paid your entire life,” says Jessica LaPointe.
