Many Social Security recipients have felt the impact of the “disastrous” cuts that were made to the Social Security Administration (SSA). As a result of this, a new proposal has been put on the table, known as “Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act”. In simple terms, the aim of this proposal is to fix the mess that was caused by the cuts. It aims to restore services, reopen offices and make it more convenient for beneficiaries to get the assistance they need.
Approximately 70 million Americans could benefit from this.
Why the Cuts Were a Problem
Unfortunately, in order to prevent wasteful spending, the SSA experienced a few cutbacks over the years. Many staff were laid off, field offices shut down and it became more difficult for existing staff to cope with the lines. Many Social Security recipients, especially the elderly, complained about long waiting hours just to speak to someone and others complained that they had to drive long distances just find an office.
Retirees found that it was difficult to for them to access the benefits that they worked so hard for. Many claims began to pile up and this created a backlog.
It was then concluded that the cuts which were implemented, did not save money but rather created unnecessary stress, backlog of claims and inconvenience for millions.
What the New Plan Would Do
The Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act is designed to fix these problems. Here’s what it promises:
- A significant part of this is to reopen field offices, this will give people access to their local offices.
- There will be thousands of jobs reopened to compensate for the staff cuts and job losses. This will ensure that beneficiaries are able to get the assistance they need.
- With more staff and better technology, calling SSA or using its website should become less frustrating.
- The plan includes billions to modernize systems and improve service for beneficiaries.
- The plan also aims to protect data and enhance security measures.
Who Supports the Plan
Great question. The proposal was introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders. It has also gained support from other Democratic leaders and advocacy groups for seniors, retirees, and people with disabilities.
The goal is simple, citizens who worked hard for their benefits should suffer as a result of poor service delivery and improper decision making.
What It Means for Retirees
Should this plan pass, beneficiaries could see major changes:
- Beneficiaries can expect to experience shorter wait times on phone lines and claims would be processed faster.
- It will allow for more access to field offices, so people won’t have to drive far and wide to visit an office.
- Beneficiaries will find it easier to communicate with staff rather than automated systems.
For seniors living on fixed incomes, even small delays or errors can cause major stress. Having easier access to the SSA could bring peace of mind.
Challenges Ahead
There will be challenges along the way. The bill still has to go through Congress first. A major concern right now, is the cost and funding of this proposal. Even it is approved, it will take time to rehire staff and reopen offices.
This implies that while retirees might not notice changes right away, if the plan proceeds, improvements ought to start to show up over the course of the next year.
A Step Toward Protecting Social Security
There are millions of Americans who rely on Social Security as an important source of income, it is therefore important to safeguard these benefits. The Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act shows that improvements will be made to safeguard benefits.
Be sure you to keep updated and follow the SSA website for verified information.