The Walls Might Be Closing in on Social Security

Key Points and Summary: Older Americans are increasingly worried about the future of Social Security, with a new AP-NORC poll showing rising doubt even among those nearing retirement.

-Three in ten adults over 60 are skeptical about benefits being there when needed, notably driven by declining confidence among Democrats.

-While President Trump insists he won’t cut Social Security, recent DOGE-led staff cuts and disruptions at the Social Security Administration (SSA)—including attempts to slash customer services—have sparked bipartisan alarm.

-The confirmation of Wall Street veteran Frank Bisignano as the new commissioner brings fresh uncertainty, as GOP lawmakers urge him to avoid further SSA cuts impacting retirees and disabled beneficiaries.

Social Security In Trouble?

The main trust fund that funds Social Security is scheduled to run out of the ability to pay full benefits at some point in the mid-2030s, which has led many younger Americans to worry that Social Security won’t be there for them when it’s time for them to retire.

A new poll shows that many older Americans are also beginning to have that fear.

According to the most recent numbers from the AP-NORC Center Poll, respondents were asked the question, “How confident are you that each of the following benefits will be available to you when you need them?”

“About 3 in 10 U.S. adults age 60 or older are “not very” or “not at all” confident that Social Security benefits will be there for them when they need it, up from about 2 in 10 in an AP-NORC poll conducted in 2023,” according to an AP story about the poll results. 

The summary added that there has been a “substantial decrease in confidence” among Democrats that Social Security will be there for them. Half of Democrats 60 or older are “not very” or “not at all confident” that Social Security will be there for them, a number that was only 1 in 10, just two years ago.

Older Republicans, however, have become more confident about the availability of Social Security to them. Six in 10 Republicans 60 or older are confident that it will be there for them.

The Politics of Social Security

The way the politics of the issue have landed has been somewhat strange and volatile over the past few years. That Republicans were going to cut Social Security was a major talking point in the Democrats’ midterm campaign in 2022, and it appeared the message worked, as Democrats overperformed in that election.

Social Security was not a major issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, and Donald Trump has mostly been consistent that he is against cutting Social Security. His White House, in March, issued a fact check stating that “President Trump Will Always Protect Social Security, Medicare.”

However, things have been more chaotic than usual in the early going of the second Trump presidency, thanks to what DOGE has done to Social Security.

DOGE vs. “Fraud”

In the early weeks of the Trump Administration, Elon Musk made various claims that fraud within the Social Security system was a major problem, something denied by most people up and down the Social Security hierarchy.

By April, major cuts to staff had “roiled” the Social Security Administration, making it more difficult to provide services. There was even an attempt to cut phone service for customer service purposes, which was ultimately backed off on due to a backlash.

There’s also been turmoil at the top of the agency, with Acting Commissioner Michelle King resigning in February after refusing to give up sensitive information to DOGE staffers. After multiple other acting leaders, a new commissioner was finally confirmed this week.

A New Leader

Frank Bisignano, a former Wall Street executive, was confirmed this week as the new Social Security commissioner. He was confirmed by a party-line vote.

“A series of recent changes led by DOGE, including deep job cuts and a move to manipulate sensitive databases, have rattled current and former employees, former commissioners of both parties, beneficiaries and their advocates,” the New York Times said of the last three months at SSA. “They have been alarmed by the fast and seemingly haphazard shifts, as well as the departure from established protocols that protect benefits.”

Per USA Today, 15 House Republicans have written a letter to the new commissioner, asking him to avoid further cuts in service and staff at SSA. The letter asked Bisignano to avoid the sort of cuts that could “further deteriorate customer service that has been subpar in recent years.”

“We must use caution and consider the impact any changes would have so there are no disruptions in services for our seniors and disabled who depend on the Social Security Administration to receive retirement benefits and supplemental security income,” the letter said.

About the Author:

Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter