The Trump administration is touting its improvements to Social Security during President Donald Trump's first 100 days. (Getty)
Trump’s moves on Social Security come as Democrats, including former President Joe Biden, have accused the administration of plotting to slash Social Security benefits, particularly through the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE's) efforts to reform the agency.
However, the administration says that it is focused on reforms, not cutting benefits, and a White House official told Fox News Digital that SSA has identified over $1 billion in cost avoidance or efficiencies for fiscal year 2025 "through new, common-sense approaches in areas such as payroll, information technology, contracts and grants, real property, printing, travel, and purchase card policies."
Examples include reducing software licensing, salvaging and repairing tables and chairs, returning leased motor vehicles, converting in-person training to online, streamlining case assignment and tracking systems, and reducing travel card spending allowances.
Additionally, the White House official says the agency has made strides in implementing fraud prevention tools, including tools that help identify fraudulent claims via telephone.
Many, including DOGE chief Elon Musk, have raised concerns about the accuracy of Social Security records, particularly when it comes to data related to whether a person is deceased or still on the rolls despite being well over 100 years old.
The White House told Fox News Digital that progress has been made on that front as well to improve the accuracy of death data and called that effort a "high priority" that was a low priority in the previous administration.
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DOGE leader Elon Musk has been hit with 96% negative coverage on ABC, NBC and CBS evening newscasts, according to the Media Research Center. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
"Musk’s statement about Social Security being the world's biggest Ponzi scheme does have validity," James Agresti, president of the nonprofit research institute Just Facts, told Fox News Digital in response to pushback from Musk's claim, which included a "false" rating from Politifact.
"A Ponzi scheme operates by taking money from new investors to pay current investors. That's the definition given by the SEC, and contrary to popular belief, that's exactly how Social Security operates."
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-white-house-takes-100-day-victory-lap-reforming-key-agency-amid-fierce-pushback