A Social Security card is displayed Oct. 12, 2021, in Tigard, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)2025-02-27T21:16:00Z WASHINGTON (AP) The Social Security Administration is preparing to lay off at least 7,000 people from its workforce of 60,000, according to a person familiar with the agencys plans who is not authorized to speak publicly. The workforce reduction, according to a second person who also spoke on condition of anonymity, could be as high as 50%.Its unclear how the layoffs will directly impact benefits of the 72.5 million Social Security beneficiaries, which include retirees and children who receive retirement and disability benefits. However, advocates and Democratic lawmakers warn that layoffs will reduce the agencys ability to serve recipients in a timely manner. Some say cuts to the workforce are in effect a cut in benefits.The layoffs are part of the Trump administrations intensified efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency, run by President Donald Trump advisor Elon Musk. A representative from the Social Security Administration did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.The people familiar with the agencys plans say that SSAs new acting commissioner Leland Dudek held a meeting this week with management and told them they had to produce a plan that eliminated half of the workforce at SSA headquarters in Washington and at least half of the workers in regional offices. In addition, the termination of office leases for Social Security sites across the country are detailed on the DOGE website, which maintains a Wall of Receipts, which is a self-described transparent account of DOGEs findings and actions. The site states that leases for dozens of Social Security sites across Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and other states have been or will be ended. The Social Security Administration is already chronically understaffed. Now, the Trump Administration wants to demolish it, said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy group for the popular public benefit program. Altman said the reductions in force will deny many Americans access to their hard-earned Social Security benefits. Field offices around the country will close. Wait times for the 1-800 number will soar.Social Security is one of the nations largest and most popular social programs. A January poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that two-thirds of U.S. adults think the country is spending too little on Social Security.The program faces a looming bankruptcy date if it is not addressed by Congress. The May 2024 Social Security and Medicare trustees report states that Social Securitys trust funds which cover old age and disability recipients will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2035. Then, Social Security would only be able to pay 83% of benefits.Like other agencies, DOGE has embedded into the Social Security Administration as part of Trumps January executive order, which has drawn concerns from career officials. This month, the Social Security Administration s former acting commissioner Michelle King stepped down from her role at the agency after DOGE requested access Social Security recipient information, according to two people familiar with the officials departure who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in a statement that a plan like this will result in field office closures that will hit seniors in rural communities the hardest.Other news organizations, including The American Prospect and The Washington Post have reported that half of the Social Security Administrations workforce could be on the chopping block. FATIMA HUSSEIN Hussein reports on the U.S. Treasury Department for The Associated Press. She covers tax policy, sanctions and any issue that relates to money. twitter mailto