Summary
An internal Social Security Administration memo from March 13 reveals plans to require internet identity verification for phone benefit claims, forcing those unable to use online systems to visit physical offices.
The memo, authored by acting Deputy Commissioner Doris Diaz, estimates 75,000-85,000 people would need in-person visits despite month-long wait times and office closures.
This change would severely impact the 40% of beneficiaries who rely on phone service.
Meanwhile, the agency is cutting 7,000 employees (12% of staff) and closing offices. The memo acknowledges these changes will cause “service disruption,” “operational strain,” and “budget shortfalls.”
My understanding (not op) is the most unsustainable thing is that the cap for payments doesn’t adjust for inflation, meaning the rich don’t pay as much as they used to. If we don’t fix that, one day payments will be cut to around 80 percent of what they are. Not world ending, but something that would be easily fixable if we weren’t ruled by sociopaths preaching sociopathy as the new religion.
Why doesn’t the working class, the larger of the two, simply not eat the owning class?
Jokes aside; seems to me the problem is that policy is set on feelings rather than reality, and then the argument of “not sustainable” gets irrelevant (which is why the policy carries on even though demonstrably wrong).That I can understand, cutting off one’s nose to spite the face kinda deal. But if you’re spiteful, it might be a reasonable (although not rational) choice.
If you’re looking for efficient and/or rational policy, you need more mature representatives, simple as.
Yes, Social Security has problems right now that are not impossible to overcome.
The main reason why Social Security is unsustainable is because population growth is slowing down. In a few decades from now, there will be more old people than young people.
Even with the current demographic situation, people are getting less than what they pay in.
Singapore’s CPF meanwhile is sustainable but Social Security is not unfixable.