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Social Security Administration Highlights Key Accomplishments in the First 100 Days of the Trump Administration

April 29, 2025 • By

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Last Updated: April 29, 2025

Social Security Administration SealThe Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced its progress implementing President Trump’s bold agenda to improve services to the public while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. Working with the Department of Government Efficiency, SSA has charted a new course for the agency that prioritizes enhancing customer service, reducing waste, fraud, and abuse, and optimizing its workforce towards direct public service.

“I am proud of the extraordinary work by our dedicated employees at SSA to help deliver on President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Our employees understand the urgency of the moment and have worked hard to restore the public’s trust. While much work remains to be done, there is no question that SSA is taking the necessary steps to transform how it serves the public while protecting hardworking American taxpayers.”

Progress on the Social Security Fairness Act

SSA has made significant strides in implementing the Social Security Fairness Act, having paid over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to more than 2.2 million individuals affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. Under President Trump’s leadership, the agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more to issue payments now will apply to only complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The agency continues to communicate updates and provide resources to the public regarding this important legislation at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html.

Cost Avoidance and Efficiency Initiatives

SSA has identified over $1 billion in cost avoidance or efficiencies for fiscal year 2025 through new, common-sense approaches in areas such as payroll, information technology, contracts and grants, real property, printing, travel, and purchase card policies. These efforts reflect SSA’s commitment to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars while enhancing service delivery.

Workforce Optimization

SSA has broken down work silos by combining similar functions across offices. By streamlining outdated and inefficient organizational structures at headquarters and in the regions, SSA has increased accountability enterprise-wide. SSA has also implemented President Trump’s directive that teleworking employees must return to work in-person full time. As SSA reshapes its organization to focus on direct customer service to the public, all non-essential staff received the option of deferred resignation. SSA further extended to all staff the option of voluntary early retirement, voluntary separation incentive payment, and voluntary reassignment to a frontline position. So far, SSA has processed to completion about 350 deferred resignations, over 3,000 voluntary separations, and about 2,000 employees in support positions have accepted and will be reassigned on a flow basis to the offices in most need of staffing resources. Importantly, reports that the agency is permanently closing local field offices are false. Since January 1, 2025, SSA has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office. From time to time, SSA must temporarily close a local field office for reasons such as weather, damage, or facilities issues, and it reopens when the issues are resolved.

Modernizing Telephone Services

SSA has begun rolling out to all of its field offices a modern, telecommunications platform that it successfully implemented on its National 800 Number. Once fully implemented, this platform will allow the agency to better manage calls to its field offices nationwide while providing more self-service options for customers, including artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled enhancements. To date, SSA has migrated over 350 offices in the Southeast and Northeast Regions. It expects to complete rollout to all field offices and card centers nationwide by the end of the summer 2025. Early results show improvements in office answer rates and average speed of answer. Approximately 30 percent of calls are being serviced by automation, improving efficiency.

Fraud Prevention

SSA has implemented enhanced fraud prevention tools for claims filed over the telephone, further modernizing the agency’s services and strengthening program integrity. The new technology enables SSA to identify suspicious activity in telephone claims by analyzing patterns and anomalies within a person’s account. If irregularities are detected, the individual will be asked to complete in-person identity proofing to continue processing their claim. These advancements allow SSA to maintain the security of its services while continuing to provide access for customers who may be unable to file online or visit an office in person. The agency will continue to conduct identity verification for all in-person claims. For the latest information on identity proofing, visit ssa.gov/news/identity-proofing.html.

Addressing Aged Records

SSA has made significant progress in improving the accuracy of death data, addressing a longstanding oversight concern. This initiative reinforced the agency’s established procedures to identify people who have a higher likelihood of being deceased due to their age or incomplete death reports. Updating the records of individuals who are implausibly old to be living is an important anti-fraud measure. Criminals may use those individuals’ information to commit fraud. As part of this effort, SSA has safeguards in place to ensure that it does not update records for individuals who are still alive. No instances have arisen to date where an implausibly old individual whose record SSA updated actually contacted the agency for reinstatement. SSA has a process in place to reinstate individuals in its records if the agency ever makes an error.

Stewarding Taxpayer Dollars and Ensuring Program Integrity

SSA announced it will increase the default overpayment withholding rate for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) beneficiaries from 10 percent of a person’s monthly benefit, resulting in an increase in overpayment recoveries (i.e., program savings) of about $7 billion in the next decade. SSA also announced the immediate resumption of the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) for debts accrued prior to March 2020. This decision came after a suspension of collections due to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 1992, SSA has referred delinquent OASDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) debts to TOP as mandated by law. Prior to the suspension in March 2020, SSA had successfully collected almost $2 billion in previously unrecoverable delinquent debt through TOP. The program is essential for maintaining the integrity of the OASDI and SSI programs.

Improving Payment Accuracy

SSA has begun a phased rollout of the Payroll Information Exchange (PIE) after years of delays. PIE allows the agency to receive automated wage information directly from payroll data providers. This data exchange improves payment accuracy, reduces improper payments, eases the reporting burden on individuals, and results in more efficient use of SSA’s limited administrative resources. It’s estimated that PIE will save $1.1 billion in OASDI benefit payments over the next 10 years, in addition to $1.8 billion in Federal SSI payment savings over the same time period.

Expanding Health Information Technology (Health IT)

SSA is renewing its focus on expanding partnerships within the Health IT program, which facilitates electronic data exchanges for faster disability determinations. This initiative not only expedites the benefits process for applicants but also saves taxpayer money by reducing the costs associated with collecting medical records, as each year SSA receives over 3 million new applications for disability benefits and spends over $500 million dollars to collect medical records for applicants.

Cost Reduction and Enhancements Plan for Social Security Number Verification

SSA has developed a comprehensive plan to improve the Electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (eCBSV) service. This initiative is designed to ensure the continued viability of the eCBSV service while addressing the needs of customers, including the financial industry and various governmental bodies. Highlights of the plan include a phased approach to reducing operating costs by up to approximately 40 percent; lowering user fees by approximately 25 percent, which allows for greater accessibility while still meeting cost recovery requirements; and providing more detailed information in no-match results, which aids in decision-making.

Implementation of the Hearing Recording and Transcriptions (HeaRT) System

SSA is set to complete the nationwide rollout of the HeaRT system, which replaces outdated hardware with a software solution for recording and transcribing hearings. This AI-enabled tool is expected to save approximately $5 million annually while ensuring due process through more accurate transcripts.

Raising Awareness Against Scams

In collaboration with the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG), SSA continues to raise public awareness about Social Security-related scams. SSA and OIG co-sponsored the sixth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 6, highlighting the steps the public can take to protect themselves and their loved ones from Social Security imposter scams. This is a type of scam where fraudsters pretend to be SSA employees and mislead victims into sharing personal information, or making cash, wire transfer, or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems.

Enhanced Communication and Transparency

In keeping with President Trump’s belief that good government must serve the People, SSA has regularly published updates on agency operations across all of its communications channels and will continue to do so. This includes publishing on SSA’s website key performance data previously available only to SSA employees. The agency regularly updates the data, so the public can see how the agency is doing. The public can access the webpage at ssa.gov/ssa-performance.

For more information about SSA’s communications, initiatives, and accomplishments, please visit the agency’s Communications Corner at ssa.gov/news.

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  1. Patricia V.

    I’m going to hang in there and stay as calm and happy as possible in my retirement. I do not want to ever see one penny of my SS benefits that is my lifeline cut in my lifetime for at least twenty more years!! I worked hard for them just as anyone else did.

    If your staff SS do not like my comments, then please notify me how to improve my opinions. I am going to fight for what I believe until I’m satisfied and be safely sheltered until the day I die!!

    Reply
  2. Patricia V.

    So what were the people thinking who voted this Trump guy in? Trump is a very selfish person who got himself in to his and DOGEs benefit.

    Good luck to us in the same boat for the next four years. That billionaire Trump should be impeached out on his tail!

    Reply
  3. john a.

    I worked for the city of clearwater for 14 years under the WEP Windfall Elimination Act that has now been repealed. Although I did not receive the non-covered annuity pension(did not work continues for 10 years> I did pay into the city’s pension in good faith, has 2 seperate terms did receive 2 pension payments in lump sum. There are many people in my situation and I am sure Mr. Trump should okay people like us for a social security upgrade. I called social security all my info you have is at payroll department for review. It might take longer for me and the others like me since this will not go through the automatic system. Some circumstances have to be calibrated manually based on my 2 lump sum payments. Is this right?

    Reply
  4. Robert H.

    I just received a letter on 5/3/2025 from the ssdi that they are taking $181 from my check and bad as that is they my date I’m getting it. Do you guys understand this is what I survive I to support my wife which disabled too. I can’t go back to cause of my heart condition but I know you guys don’t care. This money I get each month in the beginning pays all my bills on time. You have nerve give me a letter telling me you taking away after Medicaid was paying for my Medicare part an and b.

    Reply
    • Patricia

      I transitioned from full time to part time at the age of 62 and a few years ago I received a work bonus 2 times in a calendar year and received a letter that said social security was going to reduce my September benefit by $750. Did they give me enough notice in advance to prepare a dispute? Yes. I will admit that I am a bit of a procrastinator and waited till the last minute to respond. I sent them my paystubs that clearly show the money listed a Bonus which is not earned income. I received a letter a few months ago asking me to Circe the months I earned more than the allowed amount for that year. I don’t understand why it takes so long to rectify this situation. They were pretty quick to take my money and now how long do I have to wait? It’s already been a couple of years. My benefit is low to begin with because I took it early and that $750 was more than half my benefit. Since then I have experienced 2 cancers 4 different chemotherapy medications and surgery. I really need my money back!

      Reply
  5. Glenda T.

    I cannot Log in because I got new phone number, it sends code to my old number,what can I do about that?

    Reply
  6. Velma P.

    I am waiting to receive a letter from the SSA. I have not heard from your office at all.

    Reply
  7. VMM

    Please do NOT forget about US. I, a(Veteran) and many other Americans have worked, payed for this insurance. This is our earned right, our safety net. We live modest lives and we are thankful. Myself, my Wife and our Son, who is an adult Disabled child NEED the SSDI to live. We would literally be homeless and starve without these benefits.
    It is understandable that as with any business process; streamlining workflow, reducing redundancy, improving communications, updating systems is always a positive step forward. “Like cleaning behind furniture and dusting cobwebs from the corners.”
    It has been a unnecessary stressful 100 days for the SS Administration staff and the American people it serves.
    These accomplishments could have happened without hostile acts that are dividing our Nation. Our personal and financial security, privacy and dignity have been attacked by this President who speaks of our country (its people) as if it has not already “GREAT” , but that we have to make it “Great Again”. Seriously? To what past specific Greatness is he referring to?
    Americans already have a True history, Great diversity of people, those who serve and continue to serve to protect our rights, dignity and keep us safe every day.

    The last 100 horrifying days, 1 selfish man with the top 1% have caused choas, fear and betrayed the office he serves. Fight for US…all Americans

    Reply
    • David T.

      No administration has done more to improve the efficiency and integrity of Social Security while coming under attack from those who merely want to play politics and allow fraud, waste and abuse to eat away at our tax dollars. Yes, we have a great country, but it has been diminished over the years by irresponsible, selfish, politicians and woke policies. I would say that this administration really is making America greater than ever. No need to quibble about the wording.

      Reply
      • ccu

        No, republicans like Dump are the dividing forces purchased by the elites and who are making the USA the laughing stock of the world. Anyone who votes republican is either a fool or a traitor.

        Reply
    • DT

      No administration has done more to improve the efficiency and integrity of Social Security while coming under attack from those who merely want to play politics and allow fraud, waste and abuse to eat away at our tax dollars. Yes, we have a great country, but it has been diminished over the years by irresponsible, selfish, politicians and woke policies. I would say that this administration really is making America greater than ever. No need to quibble about the wording.

      Reply
    • Patricia V.

      I want to say that those who voted for that Trump must suffer along with the ones who did not. We all live in the same boat and now trying to ride it out to all stay affloat..

      Reply
  8. Rose

    Please review reply comment by Brian on April 29 as inappropriate.

    Reply
  9. Mike K.

    I hope that Congress will allow Trump to stop taxing SS benefits. Regan started taxing SS in 1983. There was a $32K exemption for married couples. Basically, 50% of SS was only taxed on the wealthy. Most seniors were exempt. Then in 1993, Clinton started taxing 85% of SS (tax on your taxes paid). This had an additional $12K exemption.
    The $32K exemption has not increased in 42 years. The $12 exemption has not increased in 32 years. Almost all other exemptions have indexed with inflation, but not for the Seniors.
    If indexed, $32K would be $104K now.
    If indexed, $12K would be $27K now.

    Some relief is long overdue.

    Reply
    • never t.

      Trump isn’t going to do anything unless he benefits from it. He is rich and power hungry. He doesn’t care about you, me or the average citizen. He only cares about himself and his rich friends, family and other elitist RICH/famous people who he can use.

      Reply
      • always t.

        TDS is not covered yet, but you have a great case if it ever happens.

        Reply
      • Avasarala

        You are 100% correct. God help us all.

        Reply
      • DT

        WRONG. No administration has done more for America. Trump cares and is getting the job done.

        Reply
        • FJ

          No he’s not. He’s making a MESS OF EVERYTHING, including social security. Don’t follow blindly, educate yourself.

          Reply
        • JJ

          I don’t know how you can say that. He has done nothing but rip our allies apart with tariffs. If he really wanted to be that President, all he had to do was sit in the Oval Office, take care of the people. And give a boost for all of us on Social Security. But he stated from the get go that it is going to be a retribution and dictator on day one.

          Reply
      • Linda W.

        Trump benefits from none of this. He is doing everything for you and me, just American people.

        Reply
        • ccu

          All Dump that does is to benefit for himself and his family. Just this week he is in the final steps to accept a bribe from the Saudis of a new Air Force One that he will be able to keep when he leaves office. 400 million dollar bribe. MAGATs support this while Dump wrecks SSA via his Muskrat?

          Reply
  10. Gary L.

    Show me verified numbers from an independent source that demonstrate the improvements you’re claiming. Without that, I find it impossible to believe anything that comes from anyone working for Trump.

    Reply
    • Retired a.

      I find it difficult to believe that so much has been done at SSA in 100 days or is this just a wish list. Especially considering the constant misinformation coming from the current Trump Administration.

      Reply
    • Irene

      Really in 100 days. Fixed what was wrong in your eyes. Exactly what was wrong how much have u saved or found. Now share out for all the stress for past 100 days and not sure how much for the next years.

      Reply
    • Kathy S.

      Go touch grass

      Reply
    • Vdiane

      I agree

      Reply

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