{"id":41200,"date":"2025-03-26T07:12:03","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T07:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/isafespend.com\/?p=41200"},"modified":"2025-03-26T07:12:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T07:12:03","slug":"social-security-is-breaking-down-millions-will-feel-it-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/isafespend.com\/?p=41200","title":{"rendered":"Social Security Is Breaking Down\u2014 Millions Will Feel It First"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently offered a chilling glimpse into the Trump administration\u2019s indifference to Social Security\u2019s importance. \u201cLet\u2019s say Social Security didn\u2019t send out their checks this month,\u201d Lutnick said according to Axios. \u201cMy mother-in-law, who\u2019s 94, she wouldn\u2019t call and complain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps the commerce secretary\u2019s mother-in-law wouldn\u2019t call. But millions of other Americans would\u2014and not just to complain. They would call because they couldn\u2019t pay rent, buy food, or refill essential medications. Lutnick\u2019s casual comment downplayed the gravity of a missed Social Security check.<\/p>\n

The comment also exposed the distance between elites and others. Elites may not care if they miss a Social Security check, but for a typical Americans a missing check is a gut punch. Calls to the Social Security office would be pouring in. But no one may answer.<\/p>\n

Lutnick\u2019s remarks come during a time when the Social Security system faces record demand and historic strain. And the remarks come during a month of extreme alarm and confusion about the system. Elon Musk demeaned the system publicly, calling it “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time,” the New York Post <\/em>reported. Field field offices are overrun, wait times are spiking, and staffing levels have been slashed by 12% since 2020, notes The Washington Post<\/em>. The very system that ensures timely payments to 73 million Americans is being stomped on, and senior citizens and families are feeling anxious and worse.<\/p>\n

Social Security Hasn\u2019t Ever Missed A Check<\/h2>\n

To be clear, Trump and DOGE have not cut or delayed Social Security checks–yet. The Social Security Administration does not miss checks. In 80 years, it never missed payment.<\/p>\n

When can Americans expect their checks? They aren\u2019t all sent out on one day. The later in the month you were born, the later the checks. Payments are staggered based on recipients\u2019 birthdays, with those born in the first 10 days of a month receiving their checks on the second Wednesday, and so on. Supplemental Security Income recipients, those most in need, are typically paid at the very first of the month.<\/p>\n

Social Security Is Foundational<\/h3>\n

While Lutnick and others suggest that delays wouldn\u2019t matter, the data tell another story. Social Security is the foundation of retirement security for most American seniors.<\/p>\n

According to the Social Security Administration, nearly 90% of Americans over age 65 receive benefits, and those benefits make up an average of 31% of their income. But for many, the reliance is much deeper: 39% of older men and 44% of older women count on Social Security for more than half their income. Even more sobering, 12% of older men and 15% of older women rely on it for at least 90% of their income.<\/p>\n

Older women, in particular, are at risk. They tend to earn less over their lifetimes, outlive their spouses, and have less saved for retirement. For them, Social Security is often not just the main source of income\u2014it\u2019s the only source.<\/p>\n

What Happens If Social Security Checks Go Missing?<\/h2>\n

The Federal Reserve has been tracking American financial fragility for years, and the latest data show a stark reality: Only 63% of people say they could cover a $2,000 emergency expense. That\u2019s the lowest level since the Fed began measuring feelings and anxiety about household finances and financial security.<\/p>\n

Another Fed report shows that 68% could cover a $400 emergency with cash or savings, while 37% would need to borrow, sell something, or simply not pay. For millions of seniors, missing a Social Security check would be exactly that kind of emergency.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, benefits are under threat because the system will only bring in enough revenue to pay for about 77% of a monthly check in five years. Benefits are indirectly being cut because people can\u2019t sign up and service is failing. The system is under strain because of threats from powerful officials. Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek suggested a possible agency shutdown due to budget cuts and staffing shortages.<\/p>\n

Social Security Isn\u2019t Broken; It\u2019s Being Broken<\/h3>\n

What we\u2019re witnessing is not just fiscal austerity. It\u2019s a political, and perhaps, an ideological attack on one of the most successful social insurance programs in American history. Social Security isn\u2019t broken. It\u2019s being broken\u2014through underfunding, mismanagement, and public messaging designed to erode confidence and support.<\/p>\n

Lutnick may not worry about his mother-in-law. But millions of other Americans don\u2019t have her privilege or security. They depend on that check not just for comfort, but for survival.<\/p>\n

And they will notice if it doesn\u2019t come. And they are protesting at the threat Social Security will be cut.<\/p>\n

What Is To Be Done For Social Security?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Congress and the president should move fast to restore the Social Security system\u2019s capacity before the damage becomes irreversible and creates a humanitarian crisis for families, neighborhoods, and to the intergenerational contract and promises we have made to each other.<\/p>\n

Reverse Layoffs <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The new commissioner of Social Security should reverse recent layoffs, including the dismissal of cybersecurity officers and thousands of experienced field representatives. Staffing cuts over the last ten years have gutted the agency\u2019s ability to serve the public.<\/p>\n

Cancel Office Closings<\/h3>\n

The commissioner must also cancel planned field office closures and expand call center staffing to reduce wait times and restore public trust. I am sure the payment system needs a thorough, professional overhaul, not an overly politicized reckless rush.<\/p>\n

Build Trust And Fund The System<\/h3>\n

Trust in Social Security took generations to build. It can be lost in a month. The new commissioner, the Trump administration, and Congress have the responsibility to stop the attacks and start to rebuild what has been eroded in just a few short weeks. Rebuilding trust starts with rebuilding capacity.<\/p>\n

There is a positive aspect in this four-week attack on the nation\u2019s most trusted public institution. There is renewed and widespread appreciation for Social Security. Congress must rebuild trust, maintain and expand Social Security. Millions of lives depend on it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently offered a chilling glimpse into the Trump administration\u2019s indifference to Social Security\u2019s importance. \u201cLet\u2019s say Social Security didn\u2019t send out their checks this month,\u201d Lutnick said according to Axios. \u201cMy mother-in-law, who\u2019s 94, she wouldn\u2019t call and complain.\u201d Perhaps the commerce secretary\u2019s mother-in-law wouldn\u2019t call. But millions of other<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-41200","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-retirement"},"yoast_head":"\nSocial Security Is Breaking Down\u2014 Millions Will Feel It First | iSafeSpend<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently offered a chilling glimpse into the Trump administration\u2019s indifference to Social Security\u2019s importance.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/isafespend.com\/?p=41200\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta 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