Social Security Employees Warn of Damage From DOGE

New York Times: “The Social Security Administration, which sends retirement, survivor and disability payments to 73 million people each month, has long been called the ‘third rail’ of politics — largely untouchable given its widespread popularity and role as one of the country’s remaining safety nets.”

“But in recent weeks, the Trump administration, led by Elon Musk’s crew of cost cutters at the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has taken its chain saw to the agency’s operations. The agency has announced plans to cut up to 12 percent of its work force, at a time its staffing is at a 50-year low. It has also offered early retirement and other incentives, including payments up to $25,000, to the entire staff.”

“Many current and former Social Security officials fear the cuts could create gaping holes in the agency’s infrastructure, destabilizing the program, which keeps millions of people out of poverty and large percentages of retirees rely on for the bulk of their income.”