In March 2024, Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley implemented a policy change designed to protect beneficiaries from financial hardship. For years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) had reduced or halted monthly checks to reclaim overpayments, often due to government error. O’Malley replaced this with a default 10% withholding, easing the burden on those struggling to make ends meet.
Beginning March 27, the SSA will automatically withhold 100% of monthly benefits from recipients facing alleged overpayments. The agency argues that this move, expected to save $7 billion over a decade, is necessary for fiscal responsibility. Critics call the change cruel and devastating, especially for those with limited financial resources.
The reversal comes amid broader changes at the SSA. Staff reductions, from 57,000 to 50,000 employees, threaten to worsen delays in processing claims and appeals. Former commissioner O’Malley warned that these cuts could paralyze the already strained system, increasing wait times and errors.
Source: KFF Health News
Yet another important, fair, and decent protection that has been removed by the trump administration. In this era of doge, I urge everyone to monitor their social security payments carefully.
For years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) had reduced or halted monthly checks to reclaim overpayments, often due to government error. O’Malley replaced this with a default 10% withholding, easing the burden on those struggling to make ends meet.