STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The tens of millions of Americans who rely on Social Security benefits could soon face longer wait times to receive their monthly payments as a result of President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal government.
On Friday, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, penned a letter to the United States Office of Personnel Management voicing concerns that Trump’s plan to buy out thousands of federal employees will further strain the already short-staffed Social Security Administration (SSA).
“Trump’s buyout offer would have devastating consequences for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on Social Security. Since the first Trump administration, the Social Security Administration has struggled to retain staff, and the agency is in desperate need of more personnel to process applications and serve beneficiaries. This policy would only exacerbate staffing shortages and long service wait times,” Gillibrand said.
In 2024, an average of roughly 68 million Americans per month were collecting Social Security benefits, totaling over $1.5 trillion dollars in benefits paid during the year, according to the SSA.
Social Security benefits represent about 30% of income for Americans aged 65 and older, the administration said, making the monthly checks an invaluable asset for millions of aging citizens.
“Forcing seniors to wait indefinitely to get their benefits is unacceptable, and I am demanding answers from the administration about its plan to keep SSA functioning,” Gillibrand said.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration sent a memo to millions of federal workers offering a “deferred resignation,” which would allow them to leave their jobs immediately while retaining all pay and benefits for roughly eight months.
“Deferred resignation is available to all full-time federal employees except for military personnel of the armed forces, employees of the U.S. Postal Service, those in positions related to immigration enforcement and national security, and those in any other positions specifically excluded by your employing agency,” according to the administration.
Federal workers only have until Feb. 6 to make their decisions, with those who elect to leave set to retain full pay and benefits through Sept. 30.
Those who elected to stay will need to abide by four directives for the federal workforce moving forward, which include a return to office for the vast majority of workers, enhanced standards of conduct, streamlined workforces and a performance-based culture.
“American taxpayers pay for the salaries of federal government employees, and therefore deserve employees working on their behalf who actually show up to work in our wonderful federal buildings, also paid for by taxpayers,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “If they don’t want to work in the office and contribute to making America great again, then they are free to choose a different line of work, and the Trump Administration will provide a very generous payout of eight months.”