Does it seem the quality and timeliness of service from the Social Security Administration has declined in recent years? Some other retirees have noticed that too! According to a recent report in The Dallas Morning News, SSA staff reductions may have impacted seniors with lower quality and timeliness of service.
Of course, COVID-19 has sent customer service in disarray across all sectors. Many offices have closed or must enforce distracting safety measures. When possible, office workers provide service from home. These factors alone have created a hiccup in workflow for most industries.
But SSA staff reductions add a layer of difficulty that negatively impacts seniors. In the 1980s, the SSA employed approximately 82,000 workers. Today, according to the report, the number has been reduced to about 60,000. While technology such as automated services may provide some relief, it does not compensate for that reduction.
Furthermore, the number of Social Security beneficiaries has grown. Data from the SSA shows 35.5 million beneficiaries in 1980 compared to nearly 65 million in 2020. In other words, the SSA is serving nearly twice as many people with a reduced staff.
Issues Beyond Staff Reductions
NORA believes that every retired American has earned the best retirement possible. This means more than quality service. It also means benefits that are fair and equitable. It means cost-of-living-adjustments (COLAs) that keep up with increased expenses. Instead, payments lag behind rising prices.
For these reasons, we support legislation for a permanent, 3% COLA. Furthermore, we believe beneficiaries should be compensated for low and absent COLAs over recent years. That is why NORA campaigns for legislation providing a 3% COLA that is retroactive to 2010.
If you agree that American seniors should be compensated for inadequate COLAs, help us in our campaign. It’s easy! Simply sign our Benefit Reimbursement Petition to Congress.
It only takes a moment, and it’s the best way to make your voice heard by Congress!
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