The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for ensuring that millions of Americans receive their retirement. However, in recent years, the system was at its limit. Thousands of people faced endless delays, confusion with forms, and frustration.
At the beginning of 2025, SSA had more than 575,000 pending applications, and more than 140,000 had been unsolved for over two months. The situation worsened after 7,000 employees were laid off, leaving an insufficient team to handle the workload. The result: retirees waiting weeks, even months, to receive what they're entitled to.
The rule that complicated everything
Previously, SSA implemented a rule to "stop fraud": any application submitted by phone had to wait three mandatory days before being processed. The intention was good, but the effect was devastating.
Far from reducing fraud, this rule increased delays by 25%, causing more frustration. Retirees and employees complained. Retiree associations publicly denounced the rule, and finally, SSA decided to eliminate it.
Now, the anti-fraud system will rely on modern technology that analyzes possible suspicious cases without slowing down all applications. This promises a faster, more efficient, and fairer process for retirees.
How they're handling the workload
Although the rule that slowed down applications was eliminated, SSA still faces the staffing problem. Deputy Commissioner Stephen Evangelista asked employees to process 10% more applications daily, instead of hiring more people. This caused discontent among the already overburdened staff.
The agency transferred about 1,000 employees from headquarters to local offices to improve the situation. This process will take time, as they need training and adaptation before they can work at the normal pace.
What you should do as a future retiree
If you plan to retire soon, start your process in advance, at least three months ahead. The most advisable way is to do it online, since it's faster, safer, and lets you review all the information calmly.
You'll need to have your birth certificate, Social Security number, tax forms, and banking information on hand. You can track the progress of your application on SSA's official website, call by phone, or go to a local office if necessary.
The system won't be fixed immediately, but eliminating the rule that slowed down applications and using new technology is a big step. The recommendation is clear: don't leave everything until the last minute. Start your process as soon as possible and secure your pension without unpleasant surprises.