Millions of users could lose their Social Security check in less than 90 days. This is not an exaggeration or an internet conspiracy. It was said by someone who used to be in charge: Martin O’Malley, former commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has issued a warning that has left the community perplexed.
According to him, millions of Americans could see their Social Security payments interrupted in a matter of weeks. And it is not just a simple delay: we are talking about a real halt.
What’s the reason?
All the staff cuts, office closures, and internal changes being strongly implemented since Donald Trump returned to the presidency (now under the DOGE plan).
What is happening with Social Security?
O’Malley, head of the SSA until 2024, doesn’t beat around the bush. He says that, for the first time in almost a century, we could face a massive interruption in Social Security payments. The core of the problem lies in DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), an initiative led by Elon Musk that is gradually dismantling the SSA structure with the goal of creating an “efficient” network of public insurance.
According to his complaint, they have already begun cutting staff, a workforce of around 60,000 workers nationwide, and placing young “disciples” of Musk in regional offices.
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DOGE claims they only want to improve citizen service. But inside, many voices say the opposite. “They are dismantling the system from the inside”. One of the harshest criticisms came from Democratic Senator Patty Murray, who summed it up this way: “Trump and Elon are destroying Social Security to benefit themselves. And the ones who will pay the price are retirees”.
Beyond politics, the reality is that the system already had problems. O’Malley explains that the SSA still runs on 1950s technology, based on COBOL, a programming language so outdated that they have had to rehire retired employees just to keep it running. With fewer staff and outdated systems, collapse is not only possible. It is almost inevitable.
What does the current commissioner say?
Leland Dudek, current acting commissioner, confirmed in an internal memo that the restructuring is serious. According to him, they are closing offices and suspending dozens of senior officials. He says they are doing it to improve public service, not as a step backward. But not everyone is buying it.
Elon Musk, true to his style
As if the situation weren’t tense enough, Musk made a statement that only added fuel to the fire: “Social Security is a Ponzi scheme” (meaning he accused it of being an unsustainable system that depends on current contributions to pay retirees, as if it were a pyramid scam).
That has set off alarms. Many interpret that phrase as a clue to where things are headed. Reform? Or a disguised demolition?
And how many people does this affect?
Currently, more than 73 million people receive some kind of Social Security benefit. Of those, 56 million are older adults who rely on that check to pay rent, buy food, medications, or access doctors. An interruption, even a temporary one, of these checks would be a very hard blow for millions of households.
O’Malley doesn’t hold back: “Start saving now” In his latest statement, the former commissioner was very clear: “You will see the system collapse and payments interrupted. I believe that will happen in the next 30 to 90 days.”
The SSA has not yet officially confirmed a suspension of payments. But between the cuts, the office closures, the technological chaos, and the ambiguous messages from inside… everything seems a bit chaotic.
If the warnings come true, we would be facing the biggest collapse of the welfare system in the United States since its creation. And although there are still many unknowns, one thing is clear: it’s wise to stay informed, alert, and prepared. Because unfortunately, this sounds like an imminent reality.
