Press Release
Friday, March 21, 2025
For Immediate Release
Statement from Acting Commissioner Dudek about Temporary Restraining Order
“Today, the Court issued clarifying guidance about the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) related to DOGE employees and DOGE activities at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Therefore, I am not shutting down the agency. President Trump supports keeping Social Security offices open and getting the right check to the right person at the right time. SSA employees and their work will continue under the TRO.”
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Press Release
Thursday, March 20, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Administration Resumes Treasury Offset Program Collections After COVID-19 Suspension
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced the immediate resumption of debt collection activities through the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) for debts accrued prior to March 2020. This decision comes after a suspension of collections due to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Treasury Offset Program, administered by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service, is a centralized program designed to collect delinquent debts owed to federal and state agencies by intercepting Federal and state payments. Since 1992, SSA has referred delinquent Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) debts to TOP as mandated by law.
Prior to the suspension in March 2020, SSA had successfully collected almost $2 billion in previously unrecoverable delinquent debt through TOP. The program is essential for maintaining the integrity of the OASDI and SSI programs.
“Resuming collections through the Treasury Offset Program is a critical step in our commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer funds and ensuring the integrity of our programs,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We are dedicated to recovering overpayments while providing individuals with the necessary information and options to address their debts.”
The Department of Treasury has begun collecting debts SSA referred to Treasury before March 2020, impacting an estimated 280,000 individuals with a collective debt balance of $2.7 billion.
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Press Release
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Announces Cost Reduction and Enhancements Plan
Efforts Will Combat Identity Fraud
In response to stakeholder feedback and a recent audit by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Social Security Administration (SSA) is pleased to announce a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing costs and enhancing the Electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (eCBSV) service. This initiative is designed to ensure the continued viability of the eCBSV service while addressing the needs of customers, including the financial industry and various governmental bodies.
"We are committed to enhancing the eCBSV service to better serve our stakeholders and effectively combat identity fraud,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “By reducing costs and improving our processes, we aim to provide a more accessible and efficient tool for financial institutions and other entities."
Since its inception, the eCBSV service has garnered significant interest from stakeholders, including the financial industry, the Big Tent Coalition (BTC), and congressional committees. The GAO's audit, released in September 2024, highlighted key areas for improvement, including cost estimation, user participation, and service limitations. In response, SSA has committed to implementing several recommendations to enhance the service's effectiveness in combating synthetic identity fraud.
Key Components of the Plan:
- Cost Reduction Initiatives:
- A phased approach will be adopted to reduce operating costs by up to approximately 40 percent going forward, focusing on critical functions necessary for maintaining the eCBSV system.
- Annual fees charged to participating entities will be reduced by approximately 25 percent, allowing for greater accessibility while still meeting cost recovery requirements.
- Enhancements to eCBSV Services:
- The agency will work to enhance the no-match results provided by eCBSV, responding to stakeholder requests for more detailed information to aid in decision-making.
- A future phase will explore the integration of Consent Based SSN Verification (CBSV) with eCBSV, streamlining processes and expanding the user base.
- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Ongoing initiatives will continue to involve stakeholders in the development and implementation of the eCBSV service, including regular meetings and feedback solicitation.
Next Steps:
The implementation of this three-phase plan will begin immediately, with a focus on reducing operating costs and enhancing service offerings. The agency is dedicated to ensuring that the eCBSV service remains a valuable tool for financial institutions and other stakeholders in verifying Social Security numbers and addressing identity fraud.
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Press Release
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One Day
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity. Over the next two weeks, SSA will carefully transition to stronger identity proofing procedures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal “my Social Security” account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. At the same time, the agency will expedite processing all direct deposit change requests – both in person and online – to one business day. Prior to this change, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
“Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
The agency’s two-week transition plan includes training frontline employees and management about the new policy and careful monitoring of policy compliance. At the conclusion of the transition period, on March 31, 2025, SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online “my Social Security” services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim cannot be completed until the individual’s identity is verified in person. The agency therefore recommends calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction. Individuals with and without an appointment will need to prove identity before starting a transaction. Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online “my Social Security” services to change their direct deposit information, can visit a local office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment.
SSA recently required nearly all agency employees, including frontline employees in all offices throughout the country, to work in the office five days a week. This change ensures maximum staffing is available to support the stronger in-person identity proofing requirement.
SSA plans to implement the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service’s payment integrity service called Account Verification Service (AVS). AVS provides instant bank verification services to proactively and timely prevent fraud associated with direct deposit change requests.
The agency will continue to monitor and, if necessary, make adjustments, to ensure it pays the right person the right amount at the right time while at the same time safeguarding the benefits and programs it administers.
People who do not already have a “my Social Security” account can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
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Press Release
Sunday, March 16, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Provides Update about its Death Record
Social Security announced today that more than three million deaths are reported to the Social Security Administration each year and explains that the agency’s records are highly accurate. Of these millions of death reports received each year, less than one-third of 1 percent are erroneously reported deaths that need to be corrected.
Deaths are reported to Social Security primarily from the States, but also from other sources, including family members, funeral homes, Federal agencies, and financial institutions. In a 2008 audit report, the IG noted that “SSA receives most death reports from funeral homes or friends/relatives of the deceased. SSA considers such first party death reports to be verified and immediately posts them to the Death Master File.”
Instances when a person is erroneously reported as deceased to Social Security can be devasting to the individual, spouse, and dependent children. Benefits are stopped in the short term which can cause financial hardship until fixed and benefits restored, and the process to prove an erroneous death will always seem too long and challenging.
If a person suspects that they have been incorrectly listed as deceased on their Social Security record, they should contact their local Social Security office as soon as possible. They can locate their nearest Social Security office at www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/. They should be prepared to bring at least one piece of current (not expired) original form of identification. Social Security takes immediate action to correct its records and the agency can provide a letter that the error has been corrected that can be shared with other organizations, agencies, and employers.
For additional information, please visit What to do when someone dies.
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Press Release
Thursday, March 13, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Announces AI Enhancements for Hearings Recordings
Updates Improve Transcript Accuracy and Provide Ongoing Savings
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today they will finish the nationwide rollout of its Hearing Recording and Transcriptions (HeaRT) system this month. The HeaRT system replaces an antiquated and bulky hardware system in each hearing office with a software only solution that records and produces transcripts for each case at the hearings level to ensure due process. HeaRT improves business efficiencies by providing more accurate automated transcripts through generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, by fully utilizing HeaRT, SSA will save about $5 million per year.
“By eliminating outdated systems and replacing them with innovative software that is proven to work, we are improving our services for Americans and saving millions each year,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Good government means finding ways to do better, and implementing the HeaRT system nationwide is a clear demonstration of just that.”
HeaRT provides better customer service by supporting all hearing formats – in person, telephone, and video – without relying on recording hardware. This leads to fewer hearing delays or cancellations due to equipment failure or technical issues, resulting in more timely hearings for the public. Approximately 500,000 customers will benefit from this new software each year. These improvements enhance efficiency by allowing employees to dedicate more time to hearings and other priority workloads. SSA is expected to complete the nationwide rollout by March 17, 2025.
To learn more about the hearings process, visit SSA's Official Hearings and Appeals Website or to appeal a decision, visit Appeal a decision we made.
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Press Release
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
For Immediate Release
Correcting the Record about Social Security Direct Deposit and Telephone Services
Recent reports in the media that Social Security plans to eliminate telephone services are inaccurate. SSA is increasing its protection for America’s seniors and other beneficiaries by eliminating the risk of fraud associated with changing bank account information by telephone.
SSA continuously investigates and analyzes potential threats to strengthen and secure our programs and protect people who receive benefits. Approximately 40 percent of Social Security direct deposit fraud is associated with someone calling SSA to change direct deposit bank information. SSA’s current protocol of simply asking identifying questions by telephone is no longer enough to prevent fraud.
If someone needs to change their bank account information on SSA’s record, they will need to either:
- Use two-factor authentication with SSA’s “my Social Security” service; or
- Visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity.
These methods align with most major banks.
All other SSA telephone services remain unchanged.
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Press Release
Friday, March 7, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security to Reinstate Overpayment Recovery Rate
Policy Update Supports Fiscal Responsibility
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced it will increase the default overpayment withholding rate for Social Security beneficiaries to 100 percent of a person’s monthly benefit. The Office of the Chief Actuary estimates this change will result in an increase in overpayment recoveries (i.e., a program savings) of about $7 billion in the next decade.
“We have the significant responsibility to be good stewards of the trust funds for the American people,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “It is our duty to revise the overpayment repayment policy back to full withholding, as it was during the Obama administration and first Trump administration, to properly safeguard taxpayer funds.”
The agency strives to pay the right person the right amount at the right time, and issues correct payments to most beneficiaries. When an overpayment does occur, the agency is required by law to seek repayment.
As of March 27, the agency will begin mailing notices about the new 100 percent withholding rate, rather than the recent adjustment of just 10 percent. The withholding rate change applies to new overpayments related to Social Security benefits. The withholding rate for current beneficiaries with an overpayment before March 27 will not change and no action is required. The withholding rate for Supplemental Security Income overpayments remains 10 percent.
People who are overpaid after March 27 will automatically be placed in full recovery at a rate of 100 percent of the Social Security payment. If someone cannot afford full recovery of their overpayment, they can contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or their local office to request a lower rate of recovery.
Additionally, people have the right to appeal the overpayment decision or the amount. They can ask Social Security to waive collection of the overpayment, if they believe it was not their fault and can't afford to pay it back. The agency does not pursue recoveries while an initial appeal or waiver is pending.
For more information about overpayments and appeal rights, visit www.ssa.gov.
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Press Release
Friday, March 7, 2025
For Immediate Release
Statement from Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner: Correcting Recent Decision Impacting People of Maine
“I recently directed Social Security employees to end two contracts which affected the good people of the state of Maine. The two contracts are Enumeration at Birth (EAB), which helps new parents quickly request a Social Security number and card for their newborn before leaving the hospital, and Electronic Death Registry (EDR) which shares recorded deaths with Social Security.
In retrospect, I realize that ending these contracts created an undue burden on the people of Maine, which was not the intent. For that, I apologize and have directed that both contracts be immediately reinstated. EAB and EDR continue in place for every state and were not affected.
As a leader, I will admit my mistakes and make them right.”
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Press Release
Thursday, March 6, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security and OIG Partner for National Slam the Scam Day
Collaborating to Warn about SSA Impersonation Scams
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) join forces once again to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the sixth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 6. Social Security related scams--where fraudsters mislead victims into sharing personal information, or making cash, wire transfer, or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems --are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme.
Social Security impersonation scams impact all age groups and remain one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Social Security continues to make concerted efforts to address this issue, through extensive outreach and investigative initiatives.
“I strongly urge our citizens to be vigilant and protect themselves from criminal threats,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Scammers use fear and pressure to steal money or personal information and I implore Americans to hang up, ignore the messages, and report any scam attempts to oig.ssa.gov.”
Social Security will never tell you that your Social Security number is suspended; contact you to demand an immediate payment; threaten you with arrest; ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone; request gift cards, wire transfer, gold, cash, cryptocurrency; or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money.
Criminals use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Be skeptical and on the lookout for these red flags: Typically, they use these P’s – Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure, and Payment. For example, scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls, texts, emails, websites, or direct messages on social media, and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security benefits or Social Security number. The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number. Scammers may also send fake documents to pressure people into complying with demands for information or money. Other common tactics include citing “badge numbers,” using fraudulent Social Security letterhead, and creating imposter social media pages to target individuals for payment or personal information.
“Slam the Scam is one of our most effective anti-fraud measures and we are excited to spearhead the 6th National Slam the Scam Day. This campaign is just as significant as our first one because the losses are still too high and the number of consumers being scammed is still very concerning,” said Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing the duties of the Inspector General, Michelle L. Anderson.
Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.
Beware of new scams related to the Social Security Fairness Act. For information, please visit Social Security Announces Expedited Retroactive Payments and Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions and Social Security Fairness Act: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) update .
To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov. For more information, please visit www.ssa.gov/scam and www.ssa.gov/fraud.
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Press Release
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Addressing Aged Records
Actions Support President’s Priorities
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today shared its significant progress in identifying and correcting beneficiary records of people 100 years old or older. The data reported in the media represent people who do not have a date of death associated with their record. While these people may not be receiving benefits, it is important for the agency to maintain accurate and complete records.
“I thank President Trump for highlighting these inconsistencies during his speech last night to a joint session of Congress,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We are steadfast in our commitment to root out fraud, waste, and abuse in our programs, and actively correcting the inconsistencies with missing dates of death.”
The agency follows long established program integrity initiatives that identify people who have a higher likelihood of being deceased due to their age or incomplete death reports. For example, SSA receives data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of individuals who have not used Medicare Part A or Part B for three or more years. SSA uses the data as an indicator to select and prioritize cases of individuals age 90 or older, who are currently in pay status and living in the United States, to determine continued eligibility for Social Security benefits. The agency attempts to conduct an interview with these individuals to verify they are still alive. If the agency identifies someone is deceased, it immediately stops payment and reports any suspicions of fraud to SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.
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Press Release
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Pays Billions of Dollars in Retroactive Payments
Actions Support the Social Security Fairness Act
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today shared its significant progress to quickly implement the Social Security Fairness Act. Through March 4, 2025, SSA has already paid 1,127,723 people more than $7.5 billion in retroactive payments. The retroactive payments are the result of the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The average retroactive payment so far is $6,710.
“President Trump made it very clear he wanted the Social Security Fairness Act to be implemented as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We met that challenge head on and are proudly delivering for the American people.”
The WEP and GPO provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a "non-covered pension") because they did not pay Social Security taxes.
The agency continues to pay remaining retroactive payments and is ready to begin paying higher monthly benefit payments beginning in April for people’s March benefit.
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Press Release
Monday, March 3, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Identifies Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Savings
Actions Support the Administration’s Priorities
The Social Security Administration (SSA) continues to make good on President Trump’s promise to protect American taxpayers from unnecessary spending while continuing to ensure it delivers on its mission.
“For too long, SSA has operated on autopilot,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We have spent billions annually doing the same things the same way, leading to bureaucratic stagnation, inefficiency, and a lack of meaningful service improvements. It is time to change just that.”
The agency has thus far identified over $800 million in cost savings or cost avoidance for fiscal year (FY) 2025 in areas of payroll, information technology, contracts and grants, and space savings (i.e., real property), and other savings through new, common-sense approaches to printing, travel, and purchase card policies.
List of Savings
Payroll: Froze SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS) hiring and drastically reduced overtime - $550 million.
Information Technology Systems (ITS) Budget: An ITS budget reduction of $150 million by cancelling non-essential contracts and identifying reductions in other ITS contracts.
Non-ITS Budget: 70 percent Reduction in Travel - $10 million.
Contracts and Grants:
- Contracts Terminated - $15 million.
- Grants Terminated - $15 million.
Real Property:
- Planned non-public facing usable square footage (USF) reductions:
- Achieved Savings to date - 270,000 USF - $10.2 million.
- Anticipated Additional Savings thru EOY FY 2025 - 30,000 USF - $1.5 million.
- Soft-Term Lease Terminations – Over 60 lease terminations with assistance from the General Services Administration (GSA) - $4.0 million in annual rent savings once terminations are complete. Most sites are co-located; others are non-public facing, consolidations, or preplanned closings.
Guards: Plan to implement protective security officer staffing model and policy for field offices - estimated $30 million beginning in FY 2025.
Printing and Postage: Made SSA-1099 and SSA-1042 notices available online, and 5.4 million customers opted out of paper notices - $3 million cost avoidance.
Centralized Print Printing: Contracted with vendors to centrally print and mail notices rather than having frontline staff print and mail them locally - $28 million in workyear savings.
Travel and Purchase Card Policy: Revised card policy to save millions in purchase card obligations.
Social Security remains committed to identifying more ways to save taxpayers money and implementing more solutions that free up frontline employees to help more customers.
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Press Release
Friday, February 28, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Announces Workforce and Organization Plans
Consistent with recent executive orders issued by the White House, the Social Security Administration will continue to implement efficiencies and reduce costs, with a renewed focus on mission critical work for the American people.
The agency plans to reduce the size of its bloated workforce and organizational structure, with a significant focus on functions and employees who do not directly provide mission critical services. Social Security recently set a staffing target of 50,000, down from the current level of approximately 57,000 employees. Rumor of a 50 percent reduction is false.
Initial steps to reduce the workforce included offering a limited number of employees the opportunity to leave the agency under the Deferred Resignation Program and Voluntary Early Retirement (VERA).
Yesterday, the agency announced to all employees that Social Security would soon implement agency-wide organizational restructuring that will include significant workforce reductions. The announcement includes offering Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) to all employees on a first come first serve basis and expanding VERA to all employees. Both VERA and VSIP require employees to opt in and to separate from the agency by specific dates.
Social Security anticipates that much of the staff reductions needed to reach the target of 50,000 will come from retirement, VSIP, and resignation. Additional reductions will come from reduction-in-force (RIF) actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions. RIF also can include directed reassignments from one position to another position in the agency. Agencies are required to submit their RIF plans to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) by March 13, 2025. No date has been set when a RIF might begin after OPM approves the plan.
SSA has operated with a regional structure consisting of 10 offices, which is no longer sustainable. The agency will reduce the regional structure in all agency components down to four regions. The organizational structure at Headquarters also is outdated and inefficient. SSA will now have seven Deputy Commissioner level organizations.
These steps prioritize customer service by streamlining redundant layers of management, reducing non-mission critical work, and potential reassignment of employees to customer service positions. Also supporting this priority is looking for efficiencies and other opportunities to reduce costs across all spending categories, including information technology and contractor spending. SSA is committed to ensure this plan has a positive effect on the delivery of Social Security services.
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Press Release
Thursday, February 27, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Announces Options to its Workforce
The following message was sent to agency employees today:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will soon implement agency-wide organizational restructuring that will include significant workforce reductions. Through these massive reorganizations, offices that perform functions not mandated by statute may be prioritized for reduction-in-force actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions, directed reassignments, and reductions in staffing. The agency may reassign employees from non-mission critical positions to mission critical direct service positions (e.g., field offices, teleservice centers, processing centers). Reassignments may be involuntary and may require retraining for new workloads.
VOLUNTARY REASSIGNMENTS
Employees interested in voluntarily being reassigned to a mission critical position should indicate their interest here Reassignment Questionnaire by March 14, 2025.
VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVES
Employees who do not wish to undergo the restructuring process may elect to separate from federal service through retirement or resignation. To further support employees considering these options, SSA is offering the following to ALL EMPLOYEES:
VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT (VERA) OR “EARLY OUT”
- Availability: VERA is now available to employees in all components and positions, with no
exclusions. Please see eligibility criteria below.
- Separation Window: VERA is available from March 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. Employees
not eligible now or who wish to retire later in the year under early out may do so, but may be subject
to restructuring activities. Employees who are not yet eligible for voluntary early retirement, but who
would like to apply later in the calendar year should alert management of their intent to do so and work
with their servicing benefits specialists to process their cases as their dates become due. All
eligible employees taking early retirement must separate by December 31, 2025.
- Eligibility: To be eligible for early out, employees must:
- Have 20 years of creditable service and be at least 50 years of age or have at least 25 years of
creditable service at any age (this must include 5 years of civilian service).
- Must be serving under a non-time-limited appointment.
- Have been continuously on SSA's rolls at least 30 days prior to January 17, 2025.
- Cannot be in receipt of an involuntary separation decision for misconduct or unsatisfactory
performance.
- Note: Retirement may affect your Federal Health Insurance eligibility. Please contact your
Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) with questions.
VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PAYMENTS (VSIP)
- Availability: VSIP will be available until noon EST on March 14 to all employees
electing to separate from service across all components and positions agencywide. VSIP is limited and
available on a first come basis. VSIP may be paid for an optional retirement (full retirement age),
voluntary early retirement (VERA), or resignation. VSIP is not available to employees who
are participating in the Deferred Resignation Program.
- Eligibility:
- Employees must:
- Be serving in an appointment without time limit;
- Be currently employed by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government for a continuous period of at least 3 years;
- Be serving in a position covered by an agency VSIP plan (all SSA employees are covered in the agency plan);
- Apply for and receive approval for a VSIP from the agency making the VSIP offer; and
- Not be included in any of the ineligibility categories listed below.
- Employees in the following categories are not eligible for a VSIP:
- Reemployed annuitants;
- Have a disability such that the individual is or would be eligible for disability retirement;
- Have received a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or poor performance;
- Previously received any VSIP from the Federal Government;
- During the 36-month period preceding the date of separation, performed service for which a student loan repayment benefit was paid, or is to be paid;
- During the 24-month period preceding the date of separation, performed service for which a recruitment or relocation incentive was paid, or is to be paid; and
- During the 12-month period preceding the date of separation, performed service for which a retention incentive was paid, or is to be paid.
- Separation Window: Employees must opt in by March 14 and separate from the agency no later than
April 19, 2025. Employees may be placed on administrative leave through April 19, 2025.
- How to Sign Up: Employees must complete the VSIP Sign Up as soon as possible, but no later than
March 14, 2025 noon EST. Please let your manager know immediately if you sign up for VSIP.
- Note: Completing the form does not guarantee VSIP.
- Incentive Payment: Payments will be the following amounts for the grade level of your permanent position. All payments are subject to taxes and normal deductions from income. Employees are strongly encouraged to read the rules for VSIP payments.
| Up to GS 8 |
$15,000 |
| GS 9 – 12 |
$20,000 |
| GS 13 and up |
$25,000 |
OPTIONAL RETIREMENT
Employees who have reached their full retirement age may apply for optional retirement at any time. Employees serving under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) should see the OPM eligibility information for FERS, which is generally 30 years of service, plus reaching minimum retirement age. Employees serving under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) should refer to the OPM eligibility information for CSRS, which is generally 30 years of service and age 55. Additional provisions and options are available for both FERS and CSRS.
RESIGNATION
Employees may resign from federal service at any time. Employees who resign would be eligible for a payout of their annual leave and may be eligible to apply for a Deferred Retirement when they reach their minimum retirement age. Please see the attached table explaining the differences between resignations and retirements and the benefits that would apply.
OBTAINING FURTHER INFORMATION
General retirement information is available on the Benefits Portal. The Benefits Portal also includes information about accessing the GRB Platform, which provides calculators for computing estimated retirement benefits. We strongly encourage employees to use the retirement calculators in the GRB Platform to obtain initial annuity estimates and to request an official annuity computation. You may also contact your SPO (listed below) with questions.
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Press Release
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Announces Expedited Retroactive Payments and Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions
Actions Support the Social Security Fairness Act
Today, the Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a "non-covered pension") because they did not pay Social Security taxes. The Social Security Fairness Act ends WEP and GPO.
“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”
People who will benefit from the new law include some teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states; federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system.
Many beneficiaries will be due a retroactive payment because the WEP and GPO offset no longer apply as of January 2024. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, which will be deposited into their bank account on record with Social Security.
Many of these people will also receive higher monthly benefits, which will first be reflected in the benefit payment they receive in April. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the person's pension, the change in payment amount will vary from person to person.
Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail, because the President understands how important it is to pay people what they are due right away. Social Security is expediting payments using automation and will continue to handle many complex cases that must be done manually, on an individual case-by-case basis. Those complex cases will take additional time to update the beneficiary record and pay the correct benefits.
Social Security urges beneficiaries to wait until April to ask about the status of their retroactive payment, since these payments will process incrementally into March. Since the new monthly payment amount will begin with the April payment, beneficiaries should wait until after receiving their April payment, before contacting Social Security with questions about their monthly benefit amount.
Visit the agency’s Social Security Fairness Act webpage to learn more and stay up to date on its progress. Visitors can subscribe to be alerted when the webpage is updated.
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on X @SSAPress.
Press Release
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Dissolves Duplicative Office
Action is Another Step to Enhance Operations
The Social Security Administration today announced the closing of a component within the agency, the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity. Employees in this office will be put on administrative leave effective today.
“Our focus is supporting President Trump’s priorities, which include streamlining functions and prioritizing essential work,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Terminating the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity, and reassigning statutory responsibilities performed by this office, advances the President’s goal to make all of government more efficient in serving the American public.”
SSA will transfer responsibility for processing Equal Employment Opportunity complaints, reasonable accommodation requests, and other statutorily required functions to other SSA components to ensure compliance with existing legal authorities.
To learn about other changes the agency has made, visit Social Security Eliminates Wasteful Department and Social Security Announces Change to Improve Agency Operations and Strengthen Protections.
Read Acting Commissioner Dudek’s statement on his commitment to transparency and protecting benefits and information.
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on X @SSAPress.
Press Release
Monday, February 24, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Eliminates Wasteful Department
Action is Another Step to Enhance Operations
The Social Security Administration today announced the closing of a component within the agency, the Office of Transformation. Employees in this office will be put on administrative leave effective today.
“President Trump has mandated the Federal government eliminate wasteful and inefficient offices and the Office of Transformation was a prime example,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “This redundant office was created under the previous administration and we are righting that wrong.”
To learn about other changes the agency has made, visit Social Security Announces Change to Improve Agency Operations and Strengthen Protections.
Read Acting Commissioner Dudek’s statement on his commitment to transparency and protecting benefits and information.
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on X @SSAPress.
Press Release
Friday, February 21, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Announces Change to Improve Agency Operations and Strengthen Protections
The Social Security Administration is announcing an organizational realignment of the functions provided by its Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight (OARO). These functions remain critical to ensure the programs Social Security administers are of high quality and effective, that SSA uses the latest tools to recommend opportunities to improve the programs, and to detect and prevent fraud.
“President Trump has made it clear that good government must do better at identifying and eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Realigning functions previously under the Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight, is an important, common-sense step in the right direction to further strengthen the integrity of the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs millions of people depend on.”
Moving OARO functions to existing parts of the agency will streamline layers of management, increase data sharing with essential Social Security components, and speed the opportunities to identify fraud, waste, and abuse and implement needed solutions.
Acting Commissioner Dudek understands that government alone doesn’t have all the answers. An important part of identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, is timely and meaningful engagement with a range of stakeholders, including many in the advocate community. Engagement with advocates will resume in earnest. With the realignment of OARO functions, Gina Clemons, formerly the Deputy Commissioner for OARO, will take the lead for SSA to engage directly with key outside stakeholders on topics including, protecting the integrity of our programs and identifying opportunities for efficiencies such as program simplification and technology. These improvements will build on recommendations that DOGE team members provide the agency and help to improve how Social Security serves America.
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on X @SSAPress.
Press Release
Friday, February 21, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security Slashes Cooperative Agreements
Effort Supports President's Executive Order
The Social Security Administration today announced the termination of their Retirement and Disability Research Consortium (RDRC) cooperative agreements. This action supports the President's Executive Order, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.
“Terminating our RDRC cooperative agreements aligns with President Trump's priorities to end fraudulent and wasteful initiatives and contracts,” said Social Security's Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek. “We will continue to root out waste and abuse to earn back America's trust and confidence in our agency.”
Social Security previously entered into RDRC cooperative agreements with research centers that included a focus on research addressing DEI in Social Security, retirement, and disability policy. Terminating these cooperative agreements results in about $15 million dollars in cost savings for hardworking Americans in fiscal year 2025.
For more information on the President's Executive Order, see Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing - The White House.
To learn more about Acting Commissioner Dudek's commitment to agency transparency and protecting benefits and information, see his statement.
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on X @SSAPress.
Press Release
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
For Immediate Release
Statement from Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner, about Commitment to Agency Transparency and Protecting Benefits and Information
“I am honored and humbled to be appointed Social Security's Acting Commissioner pending Senate confirmation of Frank Bisignano to be SSA's next Commissioner. I accepted the position because I strongly believe in the agency's mission and the hardworking and dedicated employees who serve America.
Openness, transparency, and accountability are tenets of good government and demonstrating them begins with me. To that end, I want to share several points to reassure the public and our employees that I will continue SSA's history of transparency and protecting benefits and information.
I have experienced firsthand the impact that Social Security benefits have on family's lives. Since joining SSA in 2009, I have had the opportunity to work across multiple parts of SSA, and especially appreciated my experiences working alongside frontline employees in the Cambridge, MA field office.
Transparency begins with me: My first call as Acting Commissioner was to our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to provide them an opportunity to oversee and review any and all agency activities, including my actions past, present, and future. I trust in the People to be informed, and I am making available my agency personnel and performance files to the OIG.
The law matters and we will follow it: I have invited the Government Accountability Office, the non-partisan and independent agency that works for Congress, to observe how we conduct agency business.
Good government means finding ways to do better: The Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, is a critical part of President Trump's commitment to identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, and better ways for the government to function to support its people. I want to be very clear about the DOGE personnel who are now working at Social Security.
- Our continuing priority is paying beneficiaries the right amount at the right time, and providing other critical services people rely on from us.
- DOGE personnel CANNOT make changes to agency systems, benefit payments, or other information. They only have READ access.
- DOGE personnel do not have access to data related to a court ordered temporary restraining order, current or future.
- DOGE personnel must follow the law and if they violate the law they will be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution.
I also want to acknowledge recent reporting about the number of people older than age 100 who may be receiving benefits from Social Security. The reported data are people in our records with a Social Security number who do not have a date of death associated with their record. These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits.
I am confident that with DOGE's help and the commitment of our executive team and workforce, that Social Security will continue to deliver for the American people.”
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on X @SSAPress.
