Anew poll found that more than three-quarters of Americans are concerned about potential changes to Social Security benefits, with baby boomers—the current cohort of new retirees—particularly worried.
Why It Matters
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays benefits to more than 70 million Americans, forming the bedrock of income for retired and disabled Americans. Recent cost-cutting initiatives at various federal departments have been helmed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the direction of President Donald Trump.
While the SSA is often touted as the “third rail” of public policy—a federal program so popular that no government officials will touch it—widespread spending cuts have been ordered. Impacts include thousands of job cuts, office closures and new in-person or online identity verification requirements.
Critics have said the cuts could jeopardize the functioning of the federal agency.
What To Know
The poll, conducted by Clever Real Estate among 1,000 American adults between March 5 and 9, found that 85 percent of Americans are worried about potential changes, and 68 percent said they are worried about spending cuts.
Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, were much more likely to be concerned about spending cuts than other generations. While 55 percent of millennials indicated they were concerned, 78 percent of baby boomers said the same.
The SSA is actually sparking the most concern of any federal agency, according to the poll, with 68 percent indicating they are worried about it across all respondents.
The Department of Health and Human Services followed, with 49 percent reporting concerns. Similarly, 44 percent of respondents expressed concerns about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while 43 percent were worried about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Forty percent of respondents reported concerns about the Department of Veterans Affairs.
More than half of respondents (52 percent) said they rely on some form of government assistance, including programs like Social Security and Medicaid. However, an even larger percentage—75 percent—said would feel a direct impact if government funding cuts reduced benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, disability benefits or veterans’ assistance.
While the government and president have not indicated there will be any wholesale cuts to Social Security benefits, the poll found that such hypothetical cuts would create significant financial strain, with 61 percent of respondents saying they would struggle to afford basic necessities, either immediately (29 percent) or over time (33 percent). Nearly one-third (31 percent) would need to make substantial reductions in nonessential spending.
More than one in four respondents (28 percent) would have to cut back on groceries or eat less, while nearly one in four baby boomers (22 percent) would be forced to return to work. Among millennials, 20 percent would need to take on a second job or side hustle to make ends meet.
Cuts to benefits would also push Americans to auxiliary services or even push them into dire financial straits. Fifteen percent said they would have to rely on charity services such as food pantries, and about 11 percent fear they could face homelessness.
What People Are Saying
Nick Pisano of Clever Real Estate: “Supporters [of DOGE] say it’s necessary to scale back the size of government, but critics point out that the dramatic changes could put the operation of popular programs like Social Security or Medicare at risk or jeopardize key agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration or Department of Health and Human Services.”
The SSA, in a press release issued on February 28: “Consistent with recent executive orders issued by the White House, the Social Security Administration will continue to implement efficiencies and reduce costs, with a renewed focus on mission critical work for the American people.”
Former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley, on X, formerly Twitter: “The Musk/Trump co-presidency has already taken 90% of the actions necessary to drive Social Security into a total system collapse.”
