Latest news with #NationalSocialSecurityMonth
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Things you should know about Social Security
(WGHP) — April is National Social Security Month. Successful Aging expert Linda Pritchett has five things people on Social Security need to know. You can contact Linda Pritchett at (336) 292-3875 or visit her website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SSA Acting Commissioner Says 'Wasteful DEI And Gender Ideology' Contributed To Poor Customer Service And Delayed Benefit Decisions
The Social Security Administration is bringing back National Social Security Month this year for the first time since 2019. In a statement on April 22, Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek said the annual campaign — meant to help Americans access their benefits — was suspended during the pandemic and never resumed under the Biden administration. Now, under the Trump administration, it's back, with a renewed focus on in-person service, extended outreach through August, and what Dudek calls "a return to the agency's roots." Don't Miss: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —? Alongside the announcement, Dudek criticized past DEI efforts — aligning with President Donald Trump's push to dismantle such policies, a campaign that has drawn backlash from critics who say it threatens fairness and accessibility in government. In his statement, Dudek claimed that under the previous administration, SSA became distracted by what he called "radical and wasteful DEI and gender ideology." He said these priorities, combined with extended telework arrangements, led to long wait times for customer service and delays in benefit decisions. The SSA, according to Dudek, is now realigning with Trump's directive to make government "serve the people." That includes canceling contracts related to DEI initiatives, shifting remote employees back to in-person roles, and restructuring internal systems to prioritize direct customer service. The SSA states that these changes are projected to save the agency over $1 billion. Trending: It's no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — While Dudek's comments reflect a broader push within the Trump administration to eliminate DEI policies across federal agencies, the public remains split. According to Pew Research Center, 53% of Americans disapprove of ending DEI efforts, while 44% support the move. Among Republicans over 50 — a key demographic for Social Security — approval rises to 84%. Critics, including advocacy groups and some lawmakers, argue that targeting DEI as "wasteful" misrepresents its purpose. Dominique Hollins, founder of the DEI consulting firm WĒ360, told CNN that DEI programs are intended to create fair and inclusive workplaces, especially for communities historically left out of federal employment and services. Beyond the policy debate, concerns persist about whether the SSA can keep up with demand. SSA's new identity verification requirements — originally intended to improve security — were recently rolled back after groups like AARP raised alarms. Many older adults and rural residents, they said, could be excluded if required to verify identities only in person or levels are also under scrutiny. While the Trump administration has said it won't cut Social Security benefits, the SSA has announced plans to reduce its staff by 7,000 employees. Experts warn that fewer workers could mean longer delays — even if benefits stay intact. Pamela Herd, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, told Time that the real concern isn't whether benefits will be formally reduced, but whether the SSA will have the staff to "deliver the benefits that the Congress has mandated that they deliver." She pointed to overwhelmed field offices and hours-long phone wait times as signs of a system buckling under pressure. "There's a real disconnect between the statement, 'I'm not going to cut benefits,' and in practice, what is going on in the agency," she said. As the SSA begins its 90th anniversary outreach campaign, the agency faces the challenge of restoring public trust while navigating polarizing reforms. Whether recent changes will improve service — or lead to further disruption — remains to be seen. Read Next:'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article SSA Acting Commissioner Says 'Wasteful DEI And Gender Ideology' Contributed To Poor Customer Service And Delayed Benefit Decisions originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Newsweek
26-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Social Security Announces Change to Online Access
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that those with accounts on my Social Security, the federal agency's online portal, will gain the ability to view their social security number online with secure digital access. Newsweek contacted the SSA for comment on Saturday via email. Why It Matters According to the SSA in 2023 some 71.6 million Americans received support from programs it was administering, meaning improved access to social security numbers could benefit many people. What To Know In a press release published on Friday the SSA said my Social Security account holders will be able to view their social security numbers via the portal starting "early this summer." This will allow those whose social security cards have been lost or stolen to easily view their social security number online, without needing to wait for an in-person appointment or for a new card to be dispatched via the mail. The SSA said: "This digital feature not only streamlines the process for those who need their SSN [social security number] but also reinforces our dedication to protecting sensitive information. By providing a secure digital option, SSA aims to reduce the risk of lost or stolen cards and enhance the overall user experience." The new feature will also be available to my Social Security account holders via mobile devices. A Social Security card is seen alongside checks from the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 2021. A Social Security card is seen alongside checks from the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 2021. Kevin Dietsch/GETTY Account holders are urged by the agency to "take advantage of this new feature," which they insist will improve "service delivery while safeguarding personal identifiable information." Earlier this month the Trump administration announced it will resume collecting payments for defaulted student loans, which were paused in March 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. This will impact SSA payments as up to 15 percent of these can be taken by the federal government to repay student loans via the Treasury Offset Program. The Trump administration has also announced it is reinstating National Social Security Month in April. This was a campaign launched by the first Trump administration in April 2019 but subsequently discontinued during the coronavirus pandemic. A group of Senate Democrats have written to Social Security Inspector General Michelle L. Anderson urging her to investigate the impact of SSA cuts announced since Trump returned to office. What People Are Saying Acting SSA commissioner Lee Dudek said: "We are proud to offer this new digital solution to our account holders. "This enhancement reflects our commitment to providing better service to the public while ensuring that their personal information remains secure. We believe that this modern approach will meet the needs of our constituents in a more efficient manner." What Happens Next If all goes to plan secure digital access for social security numbers should be introduced early this summer.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's Deportation Policies Could Worsen Social Security's Funding Shortfall by 11%, Warns New Report
President Donald Trump's immigration policies could worsen Social Security's existing funding shortfall by approximately 11%, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. What Happened: The Social Security program, already projected to have funds to pay only about 83% of benefits by 2035, faces additional pressure as the administration's mass deportation efforts target workers who contribute significantly to the system's finances. Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Immigrants play a vital role in sustaining Social Security solvency through their payroll tax contributions. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that higher-than-expected immigration, roughly 400,000 more people annually than current projections, would reduce the program's funding gap by about 11%. Conversely, lower immigration of similar magnitude would worsen the shortfall. 'Immigrants are more likely to be of working age and have higher rates of labor force participation compared to U.S.-born individuals,' the report notes. Without immigrants and their U.S.-born children, America's prime working-age population would have declined by over 8 million people between 2000 and 2023. Even undocumented immigrants contribute substantially, paying an estimated $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes in 2022 despite rarely becoming eligible for benefits themselves. A 2013 SSA actuarial report found these workers provided a net positive contribution of $12 billion to the trust fund in It Matters: The Trump administration, which recently reinstated 'National Social Security Month' with Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek vowing to 'protect Americans' hard-earned Social Security benefits,' has simultaneously implemented staffing cuts at the SSA. Former Commissioner Martin O'Malley warned these reductions could lead to 'interruption of benefits.' Meanwhile, Congress is considering Trump's tax proposal, which includes eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits alongside other tax cuts that could reduce federal revenue by up to $11.2 trillion over the next decade, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Money‑management guru Dave Ramsey has recently urged Americans to treat Social Security as a bonus, not a backbone, warning that the program's cash crunch could slice benefits within a decade. Read Next: It's no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here's how everyday investors are getting started. 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum. Image Via Shutterstock Send To MSN: Send to MSN Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Trump's Deportation Policies Could Worsen Social Security's Funding Shortfall by 11%, Warns New Report originally appeared on Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's Deportation Policies Could Worsen Social Security's Funding Shortfall by 11%, Warns New Report
President Donald Trump's immigration policies could worsen Social Security's existing funding shortfall by approximately 11%, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. What Happened: The Social Security program, already projected to have funds to pay only about 83% of benefits by 2035, faces additional pressure as the administration's mass deportation efforts target workers who contribute significantly to the system's finances. Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Immigrants play a vital role in sustaining Social Security solvency through their payroll tax contributions. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that higher-than-expected immigration, roughly 400,000 more people annually than current projections, would reduce the program's funding gap by about 11%. Conversely, lower immigration of similar magnitude would worsen the shortfall. 'Immigrants are more likely to be of working age and have higher rates of labor force participation compared to U.S.-born individuals,' the report notes. Without immigrants and their U.S.-born children, America's prime working-age population would have declined by over 8 million people between 2000 and 2023. Even undocumented immigrants contribute substantially, paying an estimated $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes in 2022 despite rarely becoming eligible for benefits themselves. A 2013 SSA actuarial report found these workers provided a net positive contribution of $12 billion to the trust fund in It Matters: The Trump administration, which recently reinstated 'National Social Security Month' with Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek vowing to 'protect Americans' hard-earned Social Security benefits,' has simultaneously implemented staffing cuts at the SSA. Former Commissioner Martin O'Malley warned these reductions could lead to 'interruption of benefits.' Meanwhile, Congress is considering Trump's tax proposal, which includes eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits alongside other tax cuts that could reduce federal revenue by up to $11.2 trillion over the next decade, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Money‑management guru Dave Ramsey has recently urged Americans to treat Social Security as a bonus, not a backbone, warning that the program's cash crunch could slice benefits within a decade. Read Next: It's no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here's how everyday investors are getting started. 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum. Image Via Shutterstock Send To MSN: Send to MSN Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Trump's Deportation Policies Could Worsen Social Security's Funding Shortfall by 11%, Warns New Report originally appeared on Sign in to access your portfolio
