Older Americans are growing more anxious about Social Security’s future, with a new AP-NORC poll revealing increasing doubt—even among those nearing retirement.

• Nearly 30% of adults over 60 now doubt that benefits will be available when they need them, reflecting a sharp drop in confidence among Democrats.
• Although President Trump continues to promise no cuts to Social Security, recent staff reductions and service disruptions at the Social Security Administration (SSA), led by DOGE, have triggered concern across party lines.
• The appointment of Wall Street veteran Frank Bisignano as SSA commissioner has only deepened uncertainty. GOP lawmakers have urged him not to make further cuts that would impact retirees and people with disabilities.

Social Security in Trouble?

The main trust fund backing Social Security is expected to deplete its reserves sometime in the mid-2030s, raising alarm—especially among younger Americans—about whether the program will be around when they retire.

Now, older Americans are beginning to share those same fears.

In a recent AP-NORC poll, participants answered the question: “How confident are you that each of the following benefits will be available to you when you need them?”

According to the AP, “About 3 in 10 U.S. adults age 60 or older are ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ confident that Social Security benefits will be there for them when they need it,” a noticeable rise from about 2 in 10 in the 2023 poll.

The poll also found a sharp decline in confidence among Democrats. Two years ago, only 1 in 10 Democrats over 60 lacked confidence in future benefits. Now, half say they don’t believe Social Security will be there for them.

Interestingly, confidence among older Republicans has grown. Six in 10 Republicans aged 60 or above now believe Social Security will still be available to them.

The Politics of Social Security

Social Security’s political fate has taken several unexpected turns in recent years. In 2022, Democrats made Republican threats to cut Social Security a centerpiece of their midterm campaign—and the message resonated. The party outperformed expectations that year.

Yet by the 2024 presidential race, Social Security barely made headlines. Donald Trump has consistently opposed cutting the program. In March, the White House released a fact check stating, “President Trump Will Always Protect Social Security, Medicare.”

Still, Trump’s second term has been marked by instability at SSA, largely driven by DOGE’s controversial initiatives.

DOGE vs. “Fraud”

In the early days of the new Trump administration, Elon Musk made headlines by claiming widespread fraud plagued the Social Security system. However, officials throughout the SSA denied those claims.

By April, sweeping staff cuts had shaken the agency, making it harder for beneficiaries to access essential services. One plan even aimed to reduce phone-based customer support, but backlash forced officials to abandon it.

Leadership turmoil added to the chaos. Acting Commissioner Michelle King resigned in February after refusing to share sensitive data with DOGE staff. Multiple temporary leaders followed before the confirmation of a permanent commissioner.

A New Leader

This week, Frank Bisignano, a former Wall Street executive, was confirmed as the new head of the SSA. His confirmation passed strictly along party lines.

The New York Times reported that “A series of recent changes led by DOGE, including deep job cuts and a move to manipulate sensitive databases, have rattled current and former employees, former commissioners of both parties, beneficiaries and their advocates.” These sudden, erratic changes—and the departure from long-standing protocols—have left many shaken.

According to USA Today, 15 Republican House members sent a letter to Bisignano urging him to avoid further service and staff reductions. They cautioned that continued cuts would worsen already substandard customer service.

“We must use caution and consider the impact any changes would have so there are no disruptions in services for our seniors and disabled who depend on the Social Security Administration to receive retirement benefits and supplemental security income,” the letter stated.

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