President Donald Trump marked the 90th anniversary of theSocial Security Law of 1935Through a declaration, emphasizing the program's importance as the country's most widely used and trusted federal support system. It currently assists around 70 million individuals, and Social Security continues to be a vital element of financial stability for numerous Americans. In his speech, Trump reaffirmed his dedication to protecting and enhancing Social Security for upcoming generations, stating that his administration has kept this promise by making the program "stronger, broader, and more advanced."
From the White House, the steadfast dedication of President Trump to safeguard Social Security for approximately 72 million Americans was highlighted. Liz Huston, Assistant Press Secretary, stated that regardless of inaccurate claims from other parties, the president has managed to "Make Social Security Great Again." As per the administration, this success has been achieved through substantial enhancements in customer service, major technological upgrades, and the introduction of a "no tax" policy on Social Security benefits.
A key aspect of Trump's administration in this area has focused on improving customer service. The agency noted a 70% rise in call handling during the last year, cutting the average response time by 80%, from 30 to only six minutes. With the help of technological improvements, 90% of calls to the national line are now managed via automated self-service solutions or callback options, greatly reducing waiting periods. Moreover, there has been a 23% drop in average wait times at local offices and a fivefold growth in scheduled appointments.
Meanwhile, significant technological advancements have been made to enhance access and efficiency. Individuals can now access their online accounts at any time, removing a prior 29-hour weekly interruption. This improved availability has enabled more than 280,000 new users to access their accounts online within the first two weeks. A new recording and transcription system is being completed, replacing old devices, offering better precision and millions in yearly savings. Advanced telephone technology upgrades have been introduced in 92% of field offices.
The administration of Trump also emphasizes its achievements in cutting down backlogs and providing benefits earlier than planned. A 26% decrease in the backlog of first-time disability claims has been realized, reducing the average processing time by five days and the waiting period for disability hearings by 60 days. Furthermore, more than 3.1 million payments, amounting to over $17 billion, were distributed to qualified recipients under the Social Security Fairness Act, five months earlier than expected.
The leadership has focused heavily on enhancing responsibility within the organization. More than a billion dollars in cost avoidance and improvements have been recognized this fiscal year. The agency has also tackled billions of dollars in incorrect payments and is introducing a new payroll data exchange that will send information directly from providers, projected to cut billions of dollars in payments over the next ten years. These actions, combined with stopping unauthorized immigrants from receiving benefits, highlight the initiative to strengthen and secure Social Security for all qualified Americans.