Americans are rushing to claim Social Security early. Should you?
At a recent internal meeting, a Social Security administrator projected some numbers on a screen to illustrate a remarkable trend: New benefit claims were up by more than 15% in March, compared with the same month a year ago.
Leland Dudek, the acting Social Security commissioner, chimed in to ask the presenter if the chart showed what he thought it did: that Americans are rushing to claim Social Security now because they're worried about the stability of the retirement trust fund in the future.
'Fearmongering has driven people to claim benefits earlier, 'cause they're afraid they're not going to claim benefits at all,' he said.
'Yes,' the staffer replied. 'You're exactly right.'
The new Trump administration has thrown Social Security into upheaval, with a cascade of staff cuts, rule changes, website outages and leadership shuffles, a routine that has played out across the federal bureaucracy under the cost-cutting eye of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
Instability at Social Security could spell trouble for millions of Americans who receive the benefits, and for millions more who are counting on them in the future.
As a result of that fear, thousands of Americans seem to be claiming Social Security benefits early. Pending Social Security claims totaled 580,887 in March 2025, up from 500,527 in March 2024.
An administrator shared the data at a March 28 operational meeting, which the agency posted on YouTube in a gesture of transparency. The spike in claims was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The rise in claims is unusual, the unidentified administrator told his colleagues, because claims usually tick down in the early months of the year, not up.
Fear about the future of Social Security may be only one of several reasons why claims are rising. In an April 29 email to USA TODAY, Social Security officials listed other 'key reasons' people are filing claims now. Among them:
◾A large wave of baby boomers is entering retirement, sparking a surge of new claims.
◾The Social Security Fairness Act triggered a separate wave of claims from public workers in 2025.
Yet, clearly, fear has gripped many Americans over the stability of Social Security. At the March 28 meeting, administrators talked of fearful beneficiaries flooding field offices with questions about benefits.
Some visitors asked for certified copies of earnings records, even though the information is readily available online.
'Why are they coming? They're nervous,' one administrator said.
At one point in the meeting, summing up what he had heard, Dudek said, 'I think we have a lot of customers that, right now, a lot of Americans that are very uneasy.'
President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged not to harm Social Security, a program so sacred to the American public that most politicians consider it untouchable. But Musk and DOGE have turned the agency on its ear, program advocates say, ostensibly searching for evidence of waste and fraud.
In an April 29 release, the agency said it had identified over $1 billion in cost savings through 'new, common-sense approaches' to payroll, contracts and grants, travel and purchase-card policies, among other areas.
The release said the agency has modernized its telephone network, enhanced fraud prevention, updated death records and improved payment accuracy. Officials stressed that no field office has been permanently closed, although leaked agency plans suggested office closures were contemplated.
In recent weeks, news of the turmoil at Social Security mobilized fretful Americans to telephone or visit the agency, seeding further chaos. In the end, rumors of long wait times and swamped field offices became self-fulfilling prophecies.
A Reddit community devoted to Social Security features recent conversation threads with such titles as '2 ½ hours on hold, no answer,' and, 'Advice for people now mistakenly classified as dead?'
Even some seasoned Social Security observers worry that, amid the tumult of revolving-door agency leadership and DOGE cost-cutting, vital records might be lost.
'The DOGE attack on Social Security was so unprecedented and, frankly, so weird, that it freaked everybody out,' said Elaine Kamarck, founding director of the Center for Effective Public Management at the Brookings Institution. 'I think people are nervous that things might disappear.'
Kamarck has been advising her own friends to download a copy of their Social Security earnings record, a document that shows how much you have earned in your lifetime.
At the first sign of trouble in reaching the agency or resolving a benefits problem, she said, 'make sure to involve your congressman.' Members of Congress, she said, are highly sensitive to constituent complaints about Social Security.
If thousands of Americans are claiming Social Security earlier than they had planned, as the rise in claims suggests, then claimants could be missing out on thousands of dollars in potential benefits.
You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. But the longer you wait to claim, the larger your monthly check. The monthly sum rises annually until age 70. For most Americans who live past 80, financial experts say, you're better off claiming the benefit later.
'Many Americans are rightly alarmed by the chaos that Elon Musk and Donald Trump have manufactured at the Social Security Administration,' said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and expanding Social Security.
'The correct response is not to claim benefits before you're ready,' she said, 'but to contact your members of Congress and make sure they do their jobs, including conducting oversight so that benefits are not disrupted.'
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Americans are claiming Social Security early, fearing instability
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
8 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Berro: Fed Can Wait and See Given Current Data
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager for J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Kelsey Berro, discusses job data and it's impact on the Fed with Bloomberg's Matt Miller on "Bloomberg Brief." (Source: Bloomberg)
Health Line
8 minutes ago
- Health Line
Does Medicare Cover Cancer Treatment?
Key takeaways Original Medicare covers cancer treatment, with Part A covering hospitalization and Part B covering outpatient treatment. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) also offers the same coverage. Medicare Part B pays 80% of the costs for approved cancer treatments after you meet your annual deductible of $257. If you need surgery, Part B will pay for you to consult with a surgical oncologist and get a second opinion from another surgical oncologist. If those two doctors disagree, Part B will also pay for you to seek a third opinion. Part A will cover the costs of the surgery if it is an inpatient procedure. Medicare Part B pays 80% of your care provider's bills for prescribed, approved cancer treatments. You're responsible for 20% of the billed amount until you hit your annual deductible. However, some doctor's visits and procedures must meet unique criteria to be approved by Medicare. For example, if you need surgery, Part B will pay for you to consult with a surgical oncologist and to get a second opinion from another surgical oncologist. If those two doctors disagree, Part B will also pay for you to seek a third opinion. If you're enrolled in Medicare, it covers cancer treatment regardless of your age. Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs that are part of your cancer treatment. This article will answer basic questions about how to find out how much you'll owe for cancer treatment if you have Medicare. If you receive a serious cancer diagnosis, you may want to call the Medicare Health Line at 800-633-4227. This line is available 24/7 and can give you specific answers about anticipating your costs. What does Medicare cover for cancer treatment? Medicare is a federal program in the United States that is governed by several laws. The policies are the 'parts' of Medicare, and they cover different aspects of cancer treatment. Part A Part A covers cancer treatments that you receive as part of an inpatient hospital stay, such as surgery to remove cancerous masses. It also covers skilled nursing facility care, home healthcare (like physical therapy), blood transfusions, costs related to participation in certain cancer-focused clinical studies, and surgically implanted breast prostheses after a mastectomy. Part B Part B covers medically necessary outpatient care, including most types of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation. It should also cover doctors' visits, diagnostic testing, outpatient surgery, durable medical equipment, mental health services, and certain preventive care screenings. Part C (Medicare Advantage) Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are private health insurance plans that offer the same benefits as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Some plans may offer additional benefits. Part D Part D covers prescription drugs. Your plan may cover some oral chemotherapy drugs, anti-nausea medications, pain medications, and other medications your doctor prescribes as part of your cancer treatment. Different plans have different restrictions on which drugs they'll cover. How much does Medicare pay for cancer treatments? Before you visit any doctor for your cancer treatment, call their office and ask whether they ' accept assignment.' Doctors who accept assignment take the amount that Medicare pays, as well as your copayment, and consider that a 'full payment' for the services you receive. Doctors who have opted out of Medicare may bill more for your treatment than Medicare will cover, leaving you responsible for the remaining costs along with your copay. Here's what you need to know about Medicare costs. Part A Most people don't have to pay for Part A as long as they have worked and paid taxes in the United States for 10 years or longer. Those who must pay for Part A spend either $285 or $518 per month, depending on their work history. There's a deductible of $1,676, and once you've reached the deductible, Part A covers hospital and postsurgery rehab for 2 months. Beyond that, daily costs apply, and after 100 days, you must cover all expenses. For skilled nursing facility care, your extra daily costs start on day 21. Part B Monthly premiums for Part B start at $185 and increase depending on your income bracket. Once you meet the Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2025, Medicare will pay for 80% of any covered treatment or service. Part C Medicare Part C plans are provided by private insurance companies, and the premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance will vary depending on your specific plan. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the average monthly premium for Part C plans is $17 in 2025. Part D Part D plans also come from private insurance companies. The national base beneficiary premium is $36.78 in 2025. In addition, the amount you pay out of pocket for prescriptions depends on the drug tier classified within the plan's formulary. The higher the tier, the more expensive the drug will be, even after coverage kicks in. How much will I pay out of pocket for my cancer treatment? The amount you'll pay out of pocket after your Medicare coverage kicks in depends on your plan as well as the type of cancer you have, how aggressive it is, and the treatment type your doctors prescribe. According to a 2021 research review, adults in the United States might pay anywhere from $180 to $2,600 per month for cancer care. And they might spend another $288 per month on cancer medications. If you enroll in Original Medicare, you can also sign up for a Medigap plan, which is another kind of insurance policy that can help cover your share of the cost after Original Medicare covers its share. But you'll have to pay a premium for Medigap, and that cost will vary depending on which of the 10 available plans you choose. According to a 2025 study, people with cancer who sign up for Part C plans have lower out-of-pocket costs than those who have Original Medicare without Medigap, saving a median of $668 and as much as $9,884 at the 95th percentile. However, people enrolled in Original Medicare who had high expenses for their cancer treatment still saved as much as $9,634 in some cases. Frequently asked questions Can Medicare refuse cancer treatment? Generally, Medicare should cover most treatments that are medically necessary. But if your treatment is denied, you can file an appeal. Is cancer insurance worth it with Medicare? Cancer insurance is a private health insurance plan specifically for cancer treatment. It's an additional, non-Medicare policy you can purchase to help you pay for cancer treatment costs. But whether it's worth buying depends on the added cost and the specific coverage of your plan. If you're at a higher risk of developing certain cancers that are associated with high treatment costs, you may want to consider it.
Health Line
8 minutes ago
- Health Line
Understanding Medicare Plan G Supplemental Coverage
Key takeaways Plan G is a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy that helps cover out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare (parts A and B), including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles (except for the Medicare Part B deductible). Medigap Plan G provides 100% coverage for Part A coinsurance, hospital costs, Part A deductible, hospice care coinsurance, blood (first 3 pints), and skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, plus 80% coverage for foreign travel emergencies up to plan limits. Medigap Plan G does not cover prescription drugs, the Part B annual deductible, or benefits like dental, hearing, and vision that are not covered under Original Medicare. 'Medigap' is another term for Medicare supplement insurance. Medicare Supplement Plan G is extra insurance you can buy to help cover your portion of costs for medical services with Original Medicare, such as: copayments coinsurance deductibles (with the exception of the Medicare Part B deductible) Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medigap Plan G is one of the most popular of the 10 Medigap policies because of its broad coverage, including coverage for Part B excess charges. Keep reading to learn more about Medicare Part G and what it covers. What are Medicare Part B excess charges? Medicare Part B only covers services from healthcare professionals who participate in Medicare. If you choose a doctor who doesn't participate in Medicare, they may charge up to 15% more than the standard Medicare rate. If your Medigap plan does not cover Part B excess charges, you will pay these charges — known as excess charges — out of pocket.
