The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is investigating the Social Security Administration (SSA) for instances of excessive spending, inappropriate payments, fraud, and inefficiency.
While this is good news for government watchdogs looking to put a tighter control on federal spending, retirees should be aware of the potential consequences.
“If DOGE introduces efficiency measures or cuts to Social Security programs, retirees could face delays or reductions in their benefits,” said Christopher Stroup, founder and president of Silicon Beach Financial. “Changes could affect the overall stability of Social Security, which may force retirees to adjust their plans for income security in retirement.”
Here are six things seniors should be concerned about as DOGE investigates the Social Security Administration.
Delayed or disrupted benefits.
According to Wayne Winegarden, an economist at the Pacific Research Institute, while tackling fraud is vital, unregulated improvements may exacerbate the problem.
“Retirees should be in favor of rooting out waste, because it will marginally help promote the longer-term sustainability of the program,” says Winegarden. “But they should also be watchful of any changes to ensure that their benefits are not improperly impacted.”
According to AARP forums, retirees are not driving the reforms.
“The cuts to SSA are unacceptable to me and many seniors,” wrote Jean M. “DOGE action is arbitrary and off the cuff. Therefore, it is the most inefficient and dangerous way to make cuts.”
Systemic Strain
According to Ryan Monette, a Social Security analyst with Savant Wealth Management, the new Social Security Fairness Act adds approximately 3.2 million additional beneficiaries.
Former President Joe Biden signed the proposal into law in January 2025, two weeks before President Donald Trump began his second term. However, the Social Security Fairness Act was not included in Trump’s initial executive orders, which reversed several Biden-era programs.
“Opening the door for additional U.S. citizens to participate in the program benefits will strain the trust fund’s ability to pay out benefits,” Monette claimed.
Future Cuts
Despite the DOGE probe, current retirees’ Social Security benefits remain unaltered. However, Winegarden stated that without major improvements, benefits could be reduced over the next decade.
“The largest misconception retirees should be aware of is that the program is on an unsustainable path,” according to Winegarden. “Promises to protect Social Security by not ‘touching’ it are simply promises to enact a future across-the-board-benefit cut.”
Social Security’s Uncertain Future
Every year, reports from the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds emphasize the impending shortfall.
Without policy reforms, Social Security may struggle to provide full payments in the future. Monette suggested that reducing the income threshold on Social Security taxes—currently $176,100 for 2025—could generate more revenue.
“Removing this income cap would cause all earned income to be taxed at 6.2% and create additional revenue for the Social Security trust funds,” Monette told reporters. “This change and other potential changes could generate a windfall and relieve insolvency concerns.”
Improper Benefits
While DOGE’s probe focuses on inefficiencies, retirees should continue to regularly monitor their benefits.
“Should the reviews of SSA not take the time to understand how the problems arise and an efficient way to address them, the reforms could inappropriately impact payments or reduce operational efficiency,” according to Winegarden.
He noted that the DOGE investigation may prevent retirees from getting inappropriate compensation.
“But that is what should happen,” Winegarden said. “For retirees receiving their proper payments, the efforts will not impact their designated benefits. It is important to be aware of your current benefits and watchful to ensure that the proper payments continue.”
Future policy shifts
While current retiree benefits stay intact, long-term Social Security financial issues may result in policy changes that have an indirect impact on them.
Monette, for example, pointed out that younger generations may face greater taxes, lower benefits, or both, which could affect how future retirees plan for retirement.
“This would mean no longer relying on Social Security as part of the traditional ‘three-legged stool,’ which has historically included Social Security, pension and personal savings and investments,” he said.
If Social Security’s funding problems grow, Congress may adjust cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) or supplementary payments to stabilize the system, which might hurt current retirees over time.
Reference: 6 Things Retirees Should Worry About With DOGE Looking Into the Social Security Administration
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