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USA Today
19-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Here are 6 Social Security changes President Trump has made so far in 2025
Here are 6 Social Security changes President Trump has made so far in 2025 Show Caption Hide Caption Some veterans fear cuts to Social Security could deeply impact their lives Some Bay Area veterans are concerned President Donald Trump could reduce the benefits they currently receive from Social Security. Such cuts could leave at least one Peninsula resident with no way to afford his monthly mortgage. Fox - Ktvu It's pretty difficult to turn on the TV or even scroll through your social media feed these days without seeing some mention of President Donald Trump. Whether you voted for him or not, you probably want to stay informed about the changes he's been making, especially if they will affect your finances. This is especially true for retirees living on fixed incomes who often depend heavily on their Social Security checks. President Trump appealed to these voters during his campaign, promising to end Social Security benefit taxes so they can keep more of their checks. This is still a work in progress. It'll take a new law from Congress to make such a major change. But that doesn't mean Social Security has been left untouched by President Trump's attempts to overhaul the federal government. He has made six Social Security changes so far, some of which have already gone into effect while others will come into play later in the year. 1. Facilitating the Social Security Fairness Act's benefit increase for 3.2 million seniors Former President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act in his final days in office. This law eliminated two provisions, one that reduced benefits for retirees receiving pensions from employers that did not withhold Social Security taxes and the other for their family members. However, the Biden administration didn't have time to facilitate the benefit increases and the millions of dollars in back benefits the law called for. That fell to the Trump administration. Though initially, the Social Security Administration (SSA) estimated it could take up to one year for the 3.2 million affected beneficiaries to receive the extra money they're now entitled to, it was able to automate much of this change. Most affected seniors received a one-time payment for any back benefits they were entitled to in March 2025 and will see a permanent benefit increase with their April 2025 payment. There are some complex cases that the SSA couldn't automate. If yours is among them, you may have to wait up to one year to get the extra money you're owed. If your April payment is the same as your March payment and you think you should be entitled to more under the Social Security Fairness Act, contact the SSA. 2. Terminating some Social Security office leases The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative headed by billionaire Elon Musk, lists several Social Security office leases among its list of savings generated thus far. However, a recent SSA blog post clarified that the government hasn't permanently closed any local field offices. It did close one hearing office in White Plains, New York, and it may temporarily close field offices due to bad weather or a facilities issue. If you're unsure whether any field offices near you are closed, you can use the SSA's Field Office Locator tool to check. 3. Reinstating the 100% overpayment recovery rate In 2024, the Biden administration reduced the Social Security overpayment recovery rate to the greater of $10 or 10% of your checks. For example, if you received $1,000 in extra Social Security benefits due to a clerical error and couldn't pay it back right away, the SSA could withhold either $10 or 10% of your checks, whichever was larger, each month until it reclaimed the extra $1,000. The Trump administration has reinstated the 100% overpayment recovery rate that was in place before the 2024 rule change. This will apply to all overpayments that occur on or after March 27, 2025. Overpayments that occurred before this date will retain the 10% cap, as will Supplemental Security Income (SSI) overpayments. If you can't afford to lose your checks due to overpayment recovery, you can contact the SSA to request a lower recovery rate. You can also request a waiver of overpayment recovery. This may let you keep the extra money if you can prove to the SSA that the overpayment wasn't your fault and you can't afford to pay it back. 4. Expediting direct deposit changes Changing your direct deposit information with the SSA used to take up to 30 days. Beginning in April 2025, these updates will now take just one business day. The easiest way to make these changes is to set up a my Social Security account, where you can view and update all your Social Security information. 5. Adding new identity verification requirements Beginning April 14, 2025, it will no longer be possible to make account changes or complete new Social Security applications over the phone. You may begin the application process by phone if you prefer, but you must either use your my Social Security account or visit a local field office where you'll need to present your ID for verification to complete your application. This rule will not apply to those signing up for Social Security disability benefits, Medicare, or SSI. These individuals will be able to complete their applications entirely over the phone if they're unable to do so through their my Social Security account. 6. Ending delivery of most paper Social Security checks The Trump administration has announced that the SSA will end the delivery of most physical Social Security checks on Sept. 30, 2025. There will be exceptions for individuals without bank accounts into which the SSA can directly deposit checks. It's not clear yet what steps, if any, you may have to take to continue receiving paper checks after Sept. 30 if you don't have a bank account. If you're currently receiving paper checks, you'll likely get more guidance on how the SSA will handle this as we approach the September deadline. It's likely that we could see even more Social Security changes as we move deeper into 2025, including a possible end to Social Security benefit taxes on seniors. If bigger changes like this arise, seniors may need to take some time to review their budgets going forward. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY. The $ 22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook Offer from the Motley Fool: If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. View the "Social Security secrets" »
USA Today
13-04-2025
- USA Today
Woman who reportedly fostered 200 kids accused of leaving girl at exotic animal collector
Woman who reportedly fostered 200 kids accused of leaving girl at exotic animal collector Brenda Ruth Deutsch was given a bond of $250,000. Show Caption Hide Caption National Child Abuse Awareness Month The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevention month. Learn more about the immediate and long-term effects on a child's physical and mental health. Fox - Ktvu A Missouri woman is facing abuse and neglect charges after being accused of paddling and abandoning a girl with an exotic animal collector in Texas. Brenda Ruth Deutsch, 70, was arrested on April 7 and charged with two counts of abuse or neglect of a child, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, Missouri court records show. The alleged crimes involved a girl under the age of 18, and occurred between Sept. 1, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2025, in Lincoln County, Missouri, a criminal complaint reads. In a probable cause statement obtained by USA TODAY, a peace officer with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office wrote that the allegations against Deutsch were sparked by an anonymous tip received by the state Department of Social Services on Nov. 26, 2024, reporting alleged physical and mental abuse of a child. Deutsch has fostered more than 200 children over the last 15 to 20 years, Lincoln County Prosecutor Mike Wood told NBC News and KSDK. According to the prosecutor and court documents, Deustsch is also being investigated in connection with allegations of leaving the girl she's accused of abusing with a fellow exotic animal collector in Texas and refusing to take her back. Deutsch was given a bond of $250,000, Missouri court records show. She did not have a defense attorney listed in court records on Saturday. Girl told authorities Deutsch 'hit her with a lot of different things' During a mobile forensic interview on Dec. 4, 2024, the middle school-aged girl told authorities Deutsch "hit her with a lot of different things," the probable cause statement says. The girl described some of the objects as a paddle, trim and shoes, the court document says. The girl also alleged that Deutsch "smacked" her on the nose so hard one time it caused it to bleed, according to the probable cause statement. The girl told authorities that she spoke to multiple people about the abuse but no one believed her. The girl recalled an incident when one of Deutsch's family members held her down while Deutsch hit her on her bare bottom with a paddle, the probable cause document says. She said the hitting stopped when she stopped moving and was just quiet, so she just stayed still so the hitting would stop, according to the court filing. Girl reported missing from school, located in Texas The girl's absence from school in Missouri sparked an investigation Feb. 6, 2025, the probable cause document states. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was told she was with the collector in Texas, according to the probable cause document. When an investigator contacted the Eastland Sheriff's Office in Texas, he spoke with the girl who said she was enrolled in school there, the probable cause document states. Authorities then spoke to the individual who was keeping the girl in Texas, and she claimed to be friends with Deutsch and helping her out because she and the child "were not getting along," the court document says. The woman also said she didn't wish to keep the child, but was forced to because Deutsch would not pay for a plane ticket to get the girl back home, the probable cause document says. The girl told deputies with the Eastland Sheriff's Office that the woman she was staying with didn't abuse her, but left her alone at the Texas home for a few days at a time to take care of her exotic animals, according to the court document. The woman would do this when she was out of town for work. Court docs: Girl barely had clothes, did not eat much while at Deutsch's home When speaking to authorities during a second forensic interview, the girl said Deutsch would take her clothes and belongings and put them in Goodwill boxes so she could donate them, according to the court document. This led to the girl barely having any clothing. The girl also said she was not fed well while at Deutsch's home, so she had to resort to stealing food because her daily sandwiches were not enough, the probable cause document says. She added that she didn't feel safe at the Deutsch's house and "ran away a lot" but always had to go back. The child told authorities that when Deutsch told the woman in Texas she could keep the girl, the foster mother said she'd "be keeping the check," per the probable cause document.
