It’s pretty difficult to turn on the TV or even scroll through your social media feed these days without seeing some mention of President Donald Trump. Whether you voted for him or not, you probably want to stay informed about the changes he’s been making, especially if they will affect your finances.
This is especially true for retirees living on fixed incomes who often depend heavily on their Social Security checks. President Trump appealed to these voters during his campaign, promising to end Social Security benefit taxes so they can keep more of their checks.
This is still a work in progress. It’ll take a new law from Congress to make such a major change. But that doesn’t mean Social Security has been left untouched by President Trump’s attempts to overhaul the federal government. He has made six Social Security changes so far, some of which have already gone into effect while others will come into play later in the year.
1. Facilitating the Social Security Fairness Act’s benefit increase for 3.2 million seniors
Former President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act in his final days in office. This law eliminated two provisions, one that reduced benefits for retirees receiving pensions from employers that did not withhold Social Security taxes and the other for their family members. However, the Biden administration didn’t have time to facilitate the benefit increases and the millions of dollars in back benefits the law called for. That fell to the Trump administration.
Though initially, the Social Security Administration (SSA) estimated it could take up to one year for the 3.2 million affected beneficiaries to receive the extra money they’re now entitled to, it was able to automate much of this change. Most affected seniors received a one-time payment for any back benefits they were entitled to in March 2025 and will see a permanent benefit increase with their April 2025 payment.
There are some complex cases that the SSA couldn’t automate. If yours is among them, you may have to wait up to one year to get the extra money you’re owed. If your April payment is the same as your March payment and you think you should be entitled to more under the Social Security Fairness Act, contact the SSA.
2. Terminating some Social Security office leases
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative headed by billionaire Elon Musk, lists several Social Security office leases among its list of savings generated thus far. However, a recent SSA blog post clarified that the government hasn’t permanently closed any local field offices.
It did close one hearing office in White Plains, New York, and it may temporarily close field offices due to bad weather or a facilities issue. If you’re unsure whether any field offices near you are closed, you can use the SSA’s Field Office Locator tool to check.
3. Reinstating the 100% overpayment recovery rate
In 2024, the Biden administration reduced the Social Security overpayment recovery rate to the greater of $10 or 10% of your checks. For example, if you received $1,000 in extra Social Security benefits due to a clerical error and couldn’t pay it back right away, the SSA could withhold either $10 or 10% of your checks, whichever was larger, each month until it reclaimed the extra $1,000.
The Trump administration has reinstated the 100% overpayment recovery rate that was in place before the 2024 rule change. This will apply to all overpayments that occur on or after March 27, 2025. Overpayments that occurred before this date will retain the 10% cap, as will Supplemental Security Income (SSI) overpayments.
If you can’t afford to lose your checks due to overpayment recovery, you can contact the SSA to request a lower recovery rate. You can also request a waiver of overpayment recovery. This may let you keep the extra money if you can prove to the SSA that the overpayment wasn’t your fault and you can’t afford to pay it back.
4. Expediting direct deposit changes
Changing your direct deposit information with the SSA used to take up to 30 days. Beginning in April 2025, these updates will now take just one business day. The easiest way to make these changes is to set up a my Social Security account, where you can view and update all your Social Security information.
5. Adding new identity verification requirements
Beginning April 14, 2025, it will no longer be possible to make account changes or complete new Social Security applications over the phone. You may begin the application process by phone if you prefer, but you must either use your my Social Security account or visit a local field office where you’ll need to present your ID for verification to complete your application.
This rule will not apply to those signing up for Social Security disability benefits, Medicare, or SSI. These individuals will be able to complete their applications entirely over the phone if they’re unable to do so through their my Social Security account.
6. Ending delivery of most paper Social Security checks
The Trump administration has announced that the SSA will end the delivery of most physical Social Security checks on Sept. 30, 2025. There will be exceptions for individuals without bank accounts into which the SSA can directly deposit checks.
