Millions of Americans rely on the world-class services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) each year. In addition to administering the nation’s primary retirement, disability, and life insurance program, SSA oversees more than 1,000 field offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. territories. Social Security is diligently and prudently managed, with administrative expenses accounting for less than one penny of every dollar spent (0.7 percent). Yet, even as the population ages and the agency’s workload rises to record highs, Congressional budget cuts have reduced SSA’s already modest operating budget by 10 percent (adjusted for inflation) over the last six years.
As this fact sheet shows, the field office closures and staff reductions forced by these budget cuts are especially harmful: Americans depend on SSA’s services at critical moments in their lives, when reliable and in-person service is most essential. To ensure that Americans continue to receive the world-class services that they have paid for, Social Security’s administrative budget should be restored to full funding, as requested in the President’s budget.
Social Security’s Services to Montana Residents Are under Threat