Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced further closures to some of its operations as work to reduce the size of the federal government continues under the Donald Trump administration.Why It MattersNumerous federal government agencies are undergoing significant changes following Trump’s executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The order directs DOGE to “implement the president’s agenda by modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency.”Although the SSA has not directly confirmed whether the most recent changes stem from DOGE’s involvement, the department’s audits of various federal agencies, including the SSA, have drawn considerable attention in recent weeks.According to the DOGE’s website, millions of dollars have already been saved through SSA contract reductions, including cuts to IT support and a research project on alternative gender identities.
A file photo of the Social Security office in San Jose, California, in 2020.
A file photo of the Social Security office in San Jose, California, in 2020.
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What to KnowThe SSA confirmed it has closed down its Office of Transformation, with staff members put on administrative leave.The office was, according to the SSA website, responsible for “for strategic guidance and oversight of enterprise-wide initiatives, addressing policies, business processes, and systems.”Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a press release issued on February 24: “President Trump has mandated the Federal government eliminate wasteful and inefficient offices and the Office of Transformation was a prime example. This redundant office was created under the previous administration and we are righting that wrong.”It comes after other streamlining processes were announced last week. On Friday, the SSA confirmed it has moved the operations of its Office of Analytics, Review and Oversight (OARO) to “existing parts of the agency.”The federal agency also announced it has terminated cooperative agreements with the Retirement and Disability Research Consortium (RDRC)—a program for research on Social Security, retirement and disability policy issues. Ending these agreements is expected to result “in about $15 million in cost savings for hardworking Americans in fiscal year 2025,” the SSA said.What People Are SayingLee Dudek in a statement on February 19: “Good government means finding ways to do better: The Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, is a critical part of President Trump’s commitment to identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, and better ways for the government to function to support its people.”What’s NextWhether further cuts to staffing and/or operations are on the table at the SSA is yet to be seen.Are you an SSA employee who is facing losing your job, or have already lost your job? Get in touch with Newsweek using a.higham@newsweek.com
