As uncertainty clouds the future of Social Security, a growing number of Americans are rushing to claim their retirement benefits earlier than planned.
According to internal agency data, new Social Security claims rose by more than 15% in March 2025 compared to the same period last year – a sharp and unusual uptick that has raised red flags among agency leaders.
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During a March 28 operational meeting at the Social Security Administration, Leland Dudek, the acting commissioner, confronted the implications head-on. “Fearmongering has driven people to claim benefits earlier, ’cause they’re afraid they’re not going to claim benefits at all,” Dudek remarked. A staffer confirmed his concern: “Yes. You’re exactly right.”
This anxiety comes at a time when the Social Security system is undergoing profound change under President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Staff cuts, system outages, rule rewrites, and agency shakeups have fueled the sense of instability.
Although Trump has repeatedly stated he won’t cut Social Security, many Americans appear unconvinced.
Unrest drives a spike in early claims – but experts urge patience
The number of pending claims in March reached 580,887 – a significant jump from 500,527 the previous year. Traditionally, new claims decline early in the year. But in 2025, they surged. Social Security officials attribute the rise partly to demographics, as baby boomers continue to retire en masse.
The 2025 implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act has also contributed, prompting many public sector employees to file claims.
Still, internal discussions at the agency suggest fear is playing an outsized role. “Why are they coming? They’re nervous,” one administrator said, citing increased foot traffic and calls from worried Americans.
Concern has also spilled over into online forums. Posts on Reddit describe long hold times, system glitches, and even users being mistakenly listed as deceased. “2 hours on hold, no answer,” read one thread. Another was titled, “Advice for people now mistakenly classified as dead?”
“The DOGE attack on Social Security was so unprecedented and, frankly, so weird, that it freaked everybody out,” said Elaine Kamarck, a Brookings Institution fellow. She recommends downloading earnings records and reaching out to congressional representatives if issues arise: “Make sure to involve your congressman.”
Despite the chaos, officials insist improvements are underway. The agency has claimed over $1 billion in cost savings through updates to fraud prevention, telephone systems, and payment tracking. However, leaked documents show possible plans for office closures, sparking further public concern.
Early filing comes at a long-term cost
Financial experts and Social Security advocates warn that panicking could hurt retirees more than it helps. Claiming Social Security at 62 results in permanently reduced monthly payments. By waiting until full retirement age – or even age 70 – beneficiaries receive significantly larger checks.
“Many Americans are rightly alarmed by the chaos that Elon Musk and Donald Trump have manufactured at the Social Security Administration,” said Nancy Altman, president of the nonprofit Social Security Works. “The correct response is not to claim benefits before you’re ready, but to contact your members of Congress and make sure they do their jobs.”
Altman and other advocates fear that short-term panic could have long-term consequences. Claiming early may seem like a safeguard, but for most Americans who live into their 80s or beyond, delaying benefits provides greater financial stability.
Ultimately, while concerns about Social Security’s future are valid, the wisest path forward might not be to cash in now – but to demand leadership that protects the future of the system.
This news was originally published on this post .
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