DOGE
Workflow Changes, DOGE data handling, and the Government Shutdown: Social Security Perpectives
An Investopedia post by personal finance writer Elizabeth Guevara notes that in about a month, changes to the Social Security Administration’s workflow processes will provide increased focus on in-person service and specialized teams managing complex cases. The changes follow staffing…
Potential violations of the Hatch Act
In newly disclosed court documents, the Justice Department revealed the DOGE team may have misused Social Security data. A top Justice Department official said, “SSA referred both DOGE employees for potential violations of the Hatch Act, which bars government employees…
Saving Millions Won’t Solve a Trillion Dollar Problem
In this intriguing Morningstar article from Dow Jones, the Federal budget deficit is discussed in very realistic terms, while evaluating the more recent efforts to “eliminate waste and fraud” by the much maligned Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The basis…
The Valid Benefits Act, H.R. 3659
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) reintroduced the legislative bill Valid Benefits Act, H. R. 3659, that would direct Federal departments and agencies to verify eligibility for Federal benefits for individuals 105 years of age or older. The Department of Government Efficiency…
Heavy Traffic Ahead for Serniors Needing to Interact with Social Security Field Personnel
Several staff cuts, operational modifications, and procedural changes have been implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to achieve cost savings across the Social Security spectrum. While that may produce the desired spending reductions, it will also exacerbate the…
“Clean-Up” of Social Security Records Continues, Driven by DOGE
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reports that as of late last week, a major step in the clean-up of Social Security master file records has been completed. DOGE’s “X” post notes, “After 11 weeks, @SocialSecurity has finished this major…
An Operational Conundrum…Fraud Detection Measures Slowing Claims Processing
Any efforts to curb fraud within the Social Security system are appropriate to ensure the integrity of benefit payments. Nobody would argue with that except, perhaps, a fraudster or malcontent seeking to “play” the system for illicit gains. But what…
An Update on President Trump’s Social Security Clean-up Progress
There’s a lot going on in Social Security these days (that’s a bit of an understatement, perhaps), but most of the news focuses on the DOGE efforts to root out the waste and fraud in this massive senior benefit program.…
Newsflash–National Social Security Month is Back, While Concerns Continue
Amid intense criticism relating to the DOGE-driven changes to the Social Security Administration’s operating environment, the Trump Administration has announced the reinstatement of the month of April as National Social Security Month. In a post today on newsweek.com, reporter Aliss…
Modernizing Social Security Now will Safeguard it for Present and Future Retirees
There’s a lot of ranting about recent changes to Social Security. Some fail to realize that leaving it alone to continue on as is will be devastating to millions as the trust fund runs dry in the mid 2030’s. Working…