Trump Plans Social Security Shakeup: Who Could Lose Benefits?
Donald Trump's administration is reportedly preparing a major shakeup to Social Security Disability Insurance that could leave hundreds of thousands of Americans scrambling for support. The plan under consideration would either remove age as a factor in determining eligibility for disability benefits or raise the qualifying age threshold from 50 to 60. This move threatens to cut benefits for a significant portion of disabled workers, widows, and children who rely on these payments.
A Potential Cut for Hundreds of Thousands
Currently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates disability claims using a combination of age, education, and work experience to determine if an applicant can transition to other types of work. Age has traditionally been a key factor, with applicants over 50 more likely to qualify because it is assumed they face greater challenges retraining or switching careers.
The proposed overhaul would either eliminate age as a factor or raise the age threshold to 60, making it harder for older workers to qualify. Jack Smalligan, a senior policy fellow at the Urban Institute and former Office of Management and Budget official, estimates that if eligibility were reduced by just 10%, roughly 750,000 people could lose benefits over the next decade. An additional 80,000 widows and children could lose benefits tied to a disabled spouse or parent, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Smalligan's research also suggests that many older Americans who lose disability benefits struggle to find new employment. Instead, they may be forced to tap into retirement benefits earlier than planned, resulting in permanently reduced monthly payments.
The Push for Modernization and Efficiency
The SSA is also reportedly working to update the labor market data used in disability assessments. The current database includes outdated jobs such as "nut sorter" and "telephone quotation clerk," which do not reflect today's job market, as reported by Newsweek. Officials plan to replace this with more current labor statistics to better assess claimants' ability to work.
An SSA spokesperson told The Washington Post that the agency is developing proposals to improve the disability adjudication process to keep it current and more efficiently administered, as reported by Newsweek. The agency plans to share the proposal publicly and request comments through the standard rulemaking process before finalizing any changes.
Political Tensions and Public Reassurances
Despite these behind-the-scenes moves, the White House has publicly denied any plans to change disability determination processes. Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai told Newsweek that President Trump will always protect and defend Social Security for American citizens. Desai emphasized that the only policy change to Social Security is the working families tax cut legislation that eliminated taxation of Social Security for almost all beneficiaries, a move he noted every Democrat voted against.
Senator Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, criticized the proposed changes as part of a broader Republican effort to slash Social Security, as reported by The Daily Beast. He described the plan as the largest cut to disability insurance in American history and accused Republicans of forcing Americans to work into old age to access their earned benefits. Wyden argued that Americans with disabilities have paid into Social Security like everyone else and do not deserve additional bureaucratic hurdles to receive what they earned.
The Disconnect Between Promise and Policy
This political tension highlights a stark contrast between public statements and internal policy discussions. While President Trump has repeatedly pledged not to touch entitlement payments, the administration's reported plans suggest a sharp reversal. According to The Daily Beast, the overhaul is reportedly a top priority for Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget and a close Trump ally, who has long sought to revise disability rules.
Vought's role as a key architect of Project 2025 and his portrayal as the "Grim Reaper" in an AI-generated video posted by the president last week have fueled fears that the overhaul could be part of a broader effort to reduce federal safety net programs.
What Happens Next?
The SSA has indicated that any proposed changes will go through the standard rulemaking process, including public comment periods and thorough analysis before final decisions are made. This means the public and stakeholders will have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposals before they are finalized.
Meanwhile, lawmakers and advocacy groups are likely to scrutinize the proposals closely, given the potential impact on vulnerable populations. The debate over Social Security disability benefits is poised to become a significant political flashpoint as the administration moves forward with its plans.
For now, the disconnect between public reassurances and internal policy discussions leaves many Americans uncertain about the future of their earned benefits. The coming months will reveal whether the administration will follow through on these proposed changes or heed the concerns of critics warning of widespread harm.
The stakes are high for hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans, and their families, who depend on Social Security disability benefits for financial security. As the administration weighs its options, the nation watches closely to see how this critical safety net will be reshaped.
References: Donald Trump Plots Social Security Overhaul That Could Cut Benefits for Hundreds of Thousands | Hundreds of thousands of Americans 'may lose disability benefits as Trump plans to overhaul Social Security' | White House Responds to Social Security Change Report
