Trump's agenda could directly impact Social Security, a significant source of income for most people over age 65. However, the program is on shaky ground and may need to reduce benefits in ten years if Congress doesn't make changes to bolster its finances
President Trump signed a memorandum directing the Social Security Administration to take steps to ensure non-citizens who are ineligible for benefits don't receive any from the SSA. These actions include:
Expand the SSA's fraud prosecutor programs
Investigate earnings reports of people 100 years old or older with mismatched records
Evaluate reinstatement of SSA's civil monetary penalty program
The memo states that all non-citizens who have authorization to work in the U.S. must pay all of the existing Social Security and Medicare taxes, and may be able to draw benefits from those systems if they meet the eligibility requirements. In addition to other factors, permanent residents that are non-citizens have a 5-year residency requirement to access Medicare. (This is not new)
Last July, we reported that Social Security online users had to create Login.gov accounts if they don't already have them. Just last month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reiterated the need to create a secure Login.gov account, posting new information about a change to existing user accounts: "Later this year, the "Sign in with Social Security Username" option will be removed, so it's important you act right away."
President Trump signed a memorandum directing the Social Security Administration to take steps to ensure non-citizens who are ineligible for benefits don't receive any from the SSA. These actions include:
Expand the SSA's fraud prosecutor programs
Investigate earnings reports of people 100 years old or older with mismatched records
Evaluate reinstatement of SSA's civil monetary penalty program
The memo states that all non-citizens who have authorization to work in the U.S. must pay all of the existing Social Security and Medicare taxes, and may be able to draw benefits from those systems if they meet the eligibility requirements. In addition to other factors, permanent residents that are non-citizens have a 5-year residency requirement to access Medicare. (This is not new)
Last July, we reported that Social Security online users had to create Login.gov accounts if they don't already have them. Just last month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reiterated the need to create a secure Login.gov account, posting new information about a change to existing user accounts: "Later this year, the "Sign in with Social Security Username" option will be removed, so it's important you act right away."
What Trump Has Done With Social Security So Far
Since President Trump took office, he has proposed or initiated changes to how Social Security functions, including closing offices and offering buyouts. Here's an updated roundup.
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