Retirement Social Security

3 Ways Trump’s Presidency Is Making Social Security Worse For All of Us

Policy changes and funding decisions are quietly putting pressure on Social Security's future.

By Lee Huffman

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Jan. 12, 2026

Social Security is a major part of the retirement plan for millions of Americans. For many people, those monthly checks help cover everyday essentials like groceries, prescriptions, and rent. But lately, getting help from the Social Security Administration (SSA) hasn't been so simple. Recent reports suggest that routine interactions, both by phone and in person, have become more difficult, slower, and more frustrating.

Here are three key ways recent policy changes have affected Social Security and what you can do to prepare.

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Why it's getting harder to get help from the Social Security Administration

According to internal SSA documents, there were more than 31.6 million visits to field offices in fiscal year 2025. Even as demand grows, the agency is taking steps to reduce field office visits by more than half this year. These service cuts have broad implications for access, especially among seniors and people with limited digital access.

Oversight reports highlight that phone wait times and customer service metrics have already been dramatically impacted. However, changes in how those metrics are reported may be masking the real damage that's already happening.

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Field office closures and limited in-person services

The agency provides every American with a Social Security number and helps determine eligibility for benefits. Recent planning documents show a shift from in-person services to online self-service. A November 2025 internal plan detailed the SSA's goal of servicing no more than 15 million field office visits in fiscal year 2026. Reaching this goal would mean the agency would serve less than half the people it helped the previous year.

Calling or visiting a local office is the best option for people who:

Are not comfortable using online services
Lack reliable internet or computer access
Need help completing complex benefit applications
Require identity verification that previously could be done over the phone

Online services are a convenient and reasonable alternative for many. However, in-person service is essential for those who cannot rely on digital tools or don't know how to use them.

Long phone wait times and discrepancies with customer service metrics

The SSA publishes official reports that track how frequently phone calls to field offices are answered and how quickly they're handled. Independent oversight has highlighted discrepancies between the publicly advertised wait times and the wait times people actually experience in real life.

A recent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) review found that:

SSA's "average speed of answer" metric can understate actual wait times. It counts callers who immediately request a callback as having zero wait time, even though the callback may take nearly two hours.
Callers who chose to stay on hold without a callback waited an average of 59 minutes to reach an agent. This is much higher than the headline "average speed of answer" suggests.

Senators and advocacy groups have been publicly calling for an internal audit of these metrics to improve transparency.

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Policy changes are delaying or redirecting services to be in-person

Policy decisions have also shifted service patterns. In 2025, the SSA tightened its identity verification rules, requiring some applicants to verify their identities in person rather than by phone. What was a simple process over the phone now requires you to visit a local field office. As offices close, hours are reduced, and staffing levels decline, it is harder than ever to verify your identity in person.

The aging U.S. population is also increasing the volume of retirement claims and staff interactions. This increase in first-time retiree claims adds pressure to SSA systems and staff just as the agency is trying to reduce headcount and access.

Workforce changes have also been documented. Reporting indicates that thousands of SSA positions have been eliminated or left vacant. This contributes to staffing shortages, leading to extended wait times and pushing ever greater responsibilities onto fewer remaining employees.

Real consequences for beneficiaries

These changes will not affect everyone in the same way. Retirees, people with disabilities, and others who rely heavily on Social Security are likely to feel the effects most.

More specifically, some impacts include:

Longer wait times on the phone or in person: Retirees and people with disabilities have to wait longer for answers about benefits, eligibility, or claim-filing steps.
Reduction of in-person access: Closing offices, reducing staff, and fewer hours add barriers for those without digital literacy or technology access.
Complex procedural changes: Changes in procedures can lead to repeated visits or delays that disproportionately affect older or mobility-limited beneficiaries.

These delays and service barriers greatly affect people who rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. Income uncertainty affects budgeting, health care access, and financial security.

What's at stake and what you can do

If these trends continue, the gap between what retirees need and the services provided may continue to grow. Reduced services could result in longer delays for disability determinations, more difficulty navigating benefit changes, and greater stress on caregivers.

Here are practical steps readers can take to reduce the impact of these changes:

Check official SSA performance metrics: Visit the Social Security website to see field office answer rates and busy rates before calling or visiting in person.
Plan ahead for possible delays: Expect longer wait times during peak seasons or when filing complex claims.
Use the "my Social Security" online portal: You can track claims and perform routine tasks online to save time and frustration.
Reach out to your member of Congress: Elected officials can sometimes help escalate constituent cases if you or a loved one is experiencing unusually long delays.
Monitor Inspector General reports and SSA press releases: These reports can indicate changes in metrics or service availability.

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Bottom line

Ultimately, Social Security only works if people can actually access the benefits they've earned. Retirees, survivors, and people with disabilities depend on the system to deliver payments and support in a timely manner, but in its efforts to reduce costs, Social Security has fewer resources to fulfill its promises to Americans.

Whether you're already retired, planning for the future, receiving disability benefits, or navigating Social Security for a new child, reliable access to the system matters. But as service delays and inefficiencies increase, benefits may take longer to process or adjust. That uncertainty makes it even more important to build up your retirement savings now, so you're better prepared for potential delays and can move closer to a stress-free retirement, regardless of what happens with Social Security services.

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