Social Security to curtail some toll-free phone services

Social Security will no longer let people change bank information by phone, alleging the practice is behind direct deposit fraud.

Topics

Social Security Administration: Reports of phone service elimination 'inaccurate'

The Social Security Administration is increasing its protection against fraud by eliminating the risk of fraud associated with changing bank account information by telephone, and requiring people ...
The Hill - 1d
Social Security Administration to cut phone service for direct-deposit transactions

Account changes must be made either online or at a field office starting March 29.
MarketWatch - 2h
Social Security says it will no longer accept bank changes over the phone

Those who need to change their direct deposit information with Social Security will have to do it online or in-person.
The Hill - 3h
Tips to prevent Social Security overpayments

Social Security overpays its recipients by billions of dollars every year — and then asks for the money back. Here are some ways experts say you can reduce the chances of it happening to you.
CBS News - 1d
As Social Security faces an uncertain future, some question whether the program should be privatized

New leadership in Washington has prompted questions about Social Security's future. Some experts say privatizing the program could be the answer.
CNBC - 5h
Here's what to know about Social Security's new overpayment rule

The policy could lead to hardship for some elderly Americans, Social Security advocates say. Here's what to know.
CBS News - 3d
Social Security payments scrutinized by DOGE amid search for fraud

DOGE is sifting through Social Security payments in an anti-fraud effort that has some worried the administration could deny payments to vulnerable older Americans.
ABC News - 4d
Dr. Mehmet Oz may have underpaid Medicare and Social Security taxes, Senate Democratic memo finds

Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump’s nominee to oversee the Center for Medicare and Medicare Services, may have “significantly” underpaid Medicare and Social Security taxes.
NBC News - 23h
Why Social Security’s Future Could Be in DOGE’s Hands

Trump promised that Elon Musk’s DOGE wouldn’t touch Social Security. But DOGE is already making cuts to the agency.
Inc. - 5d
Social Security's plan to get overpayments back

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced its plan to recover 100% of overpayments to beneficiaries. CBS News' Lindsey Reiser reports.
CBS News - 3d
How to calculate your Social Security tax obligations

Wondering what you'll pay in taxes on your Social Security benefits? Here's how to do the math.
CBS News - 2d
Elon Musk was right — Social Security is a Ponzi scheme

Social Security is unsustainable. The rare, brave soul who admits this truth can expect to suffer the consequences.
The Hill - 2d
These Are the 10 DOGE Operatives Inside the Social Security Administration

The team working at the Social Security Administration appears to be among the largest DOGE units deployed to any government agency.
Wired - 18h
Social Security is about to become a big problem for Trump

As we look to the midterm elections next year, Trump will be dealing with 2.5 million people in Social Security’s disability backlog who aren't receiving a basic governmental function.
The Hill - 2d
Schumer assails Musk for claiming Social Security rife with fraud

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) on Tuesday slammed tech billionaire Elon Musk for claiming that Social Security is plagued by widespread fraud and that as many as 20 million “dead” ...
The Hill - 3d
Elon Musk Suggests DOGE Team Will Scrutinize Social Security and Entitlement Spending

In an interview with Larry Kudlow, Elon Musk claimed that fraud in Social Security and other major programs was “the big one to eliminate.”
The New York Times - 3d
White House ‘not going to cut Social Security:’ LaCivita

The White House won’t cut Social Security, President Trump’s 2024 co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita said in a new interview in response to a question about tech billionaire Elon Musk’s comments ...
The Hill - 4h
How the Social Security Administration plans to take back overpayments to Americans

The Social Security Administration plans to take back overpayments to beneficiaries from their upcoming checks. CBS MoneyWatch associate managing editor Aimee Picchi has more.
CBS News - 2d
Senators to Trump Social Security nominee: 'You will be responsible' if benefits are interrupted

As the Social Security Administration cuts staff, that could impact the agency's ability to pay millions of benefit checks each month, Democratic senators warn.
CNBC - 1d
Sweden says Russia is greatest threat to its security

The nation's security service says there is a "tangible risk" of the security situation deteriorating further.
BBC News - 3d
White House renews Social Security pledge after Musk comments

The White House is trying to assure Americans that President Trump will not make cuts to Social Security and Medicare after adviser Elon Musk went after entitlement spending. {beacon} Health Care ...
The Hill - 2d
Trump, Musk fuel fears of Social Security cuts with 'fraud' talk

President Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk are ratcheting up false rhetoric about Social Security, repeatedly claiming the program wastes hundreds of billions of dollars in fraudulent ...
The Hill - 2d
Senators to Trump Social Security nominee: 'You will be responsible' if benefits are interrupted

Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon are warning Frank Bisignano, the nominee to lead the Social Security Administration, that he will be responsible if ...
NBC News - 2d
An Elon Musk Friend, Antonio Gracias, Joins His Effort on Social Security

The involvement of Antonio Gracias, an investor who has known Elon Musk for two decades, suggests that Mr. Musk has made overhauling the Social Security Administration a priority.
The New York Times - 19m
Unions ask court to stop DOGE from accessing Social Security data of millions of Americans

A group of labor unions asked a federal court for an emergency order to stop DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security data.
NBC News - 6d
Rules for repaying Social Security benefits are about to get stricter. Here's what to know

Social Security beneficiaries who receive more money than they are owed will now face a 100% default withholding rate from their monthly checks, the agency said.
CNBC - 3d
Ex-Social Security official describes ‘significant’ risk of sensitive data going to wrong hands under DOGE

Tiffany Flick, a former Social Security official, detailed what she sees as a “significant” risk of sensitive government data heading into the wrong hands under Elon Musk’s Department of Government ...
The Hill - 3d
Million-dollar wage earners have already stopped paying into Social Security for 2025

In 2025, Social Security payroll taxes apply to wages up to $176,100. Workers with $1 million in annual wages have already stopped paying those taxes for the year.
CNBC - 6d
Rules for repaying Social Security benefits are about to get stricter. Here's what to know.

If you receive more Social Security benefits than you are owed, you may face a 100% default withholding rate from your monthly checks once a new policy goes into effect.
NBC News - 3d
Social Security Workers Aren’t Allowed to Read This Story

New internet restrictions at the embattled SSA have cut off access to WIRED, along with other “general news” websites like The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Wired - Mar. 6
White House says Trump won't cut Social Security, Medicare after Musk remarks

The White House on Tuesday asserted President Trump would not cut Social Security or Medicare after tech billionaire Elon Musk's comments about the need to examine entitlement spending gained ...
The Hill - 3d
Homeland Security overhauls asylum phone app — now it's for 'self-deportation'

The Trump administration has overhauled a cellphone app once used to let migrants apply for asylum
ABC News - 3d
How to Spend Less Time on Social Media (or Leave It Altogether)

If you’re feeling overwhelmed but don’t quite have the willpower to curb your online habit, your phone can help you manage your time online.
The New York Times - 1d
Judge to hear arguments on Pentagon's transgender service member ban

A group of service members are going to court to fight the Trump administration's new ban on transgender troops. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports.
CBS News - 3d
Refusing to fight: Israelis against the war in Gaza – video

For many Israelis, military service is a rite of passage that lasts two to three years. Being such a formative part of the social contract in Israel, it is unusual for eligible young people to ...
The Guardian - 2d
No, printing your Social Security record won’t protect you — but doing this will

The key to your financial life is more accessible than you realize.
MarketWatch - 4d
Social Security to increase overpayment withholdings to 100% from 10%

The clawback reversal would apply to new overpayments and will save $7 billion over 10 years.
MarketWatch - 3d
What happens to Social Security, TSA and other programs if government shuts down?

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are on edge as the Senate struggles to reach a deal ahead of Friday night's looming deadline.
ABC News - 20h
Chaos around Social Security sparks anxiety about scams

“Hang up, ignore the messages and report any scam attempts,” advocate says.
MarketWatch - 2h