January 31, 2025
FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, is leading 11 of her Senate colleagues in a letter warning that President Trump’s plan to “buy out” federal workers would make it harder for older Americans to get their Social Security benefits. Earlier this week, Trump offered federal workers the option to resign and continue to receive full pay and benefits until September 30th, 2025, even though many federal agencies – including the Social Security Administration, which processes Social Security applications – are facing staffing shortages. Further reducing staffing through the buyout programs could force seniors to wait longer to receive assistance and benefits.
“Trump’s buyout offer would have devastating consequences for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on Social Security,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Since the first Trump administration, the Social Security Administration has struggled to retain staff, and the agency is in desperate need of more personnel to process applications and serve beneficiaries. This policy would only exacerbate staffing shortages and long service wait times. Forcing seniors to wait indefinitely to get their benefits is unacceptable, and I am demanding answers from the administration about its plan to keep SSA functioning.”
Gillibrand’s letter to the United States Office of Personnel Management, which sent the email earlier this week offering the buyout, was cosigned by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Jack Reed (D-RI).
