Social Security is based on lifetime earnings. The first step in calculating retired-worker benefits is adjusting (or indexing) earnings to account for changes in general wage levels over time. Doing so ensures retirement benefits reflect any increase in living standards realized while the worker was employed.

There are millions of older Americans today who use their monthly Social Security benefits to cover their essential retirement expenses. And without that money, many would struggle. If you’re in your 40s and retirement is still another 20 to 25 years away,

Deep staff reductions. New policies. Spreading misinformation. Since President Trump has taken office, the agency has been in tumult.

The Social Security Administration has apparently backed off on its plans to make more older Americans travel to field offices when they apply for retirement benefits. The agency had planned to require anyone filing for benefits or changing bank account information to verify their identities in person instead of over the phone if they were unable to do so through the agency’s website.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees or AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers filed a motion for emergency relief on March 7 to halt DOGE's "unprecedented, unlawful seizure" of sensitive data regarding millions of Americans.

A combination of outdated technology, new untested software, and planned DOGE staff cuts is leading concern among experts and panic among recipients.