Social Security Administration Shifts to X for Official Messaging After Layoffs

The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a significant shift in its communication strategy following layoffs driven by the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE). The SSA will now rely on social media posts, specifically on the platform X, for official messaging instead of traditional press releases. This change means that senior citizens with Social Security issues will need to create an X account and navigate the platform to receive updates or assistance. The move comes as part of a broader effort by DOGE to streamline government operations, which has included mass layoffs and cuts to various federal agencies. The SSA's decision to switch to X for official communications is a direct result of these layoffs, which have affected the agency's communications team. The shift to social media for official updates raises questions about accessibility and the potential impact on senior citizens who may not be familiar with or have access to these platforms. The SSA's reliance on X for official messaging is a notable change in how the agency communicates with the public, and it remains to be seen how effective this new strategy will be in reaching its intended audience.

Prior to this, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accused the U.S. Social Security system of billions of dollars in improper payments. His comments sparked intense debate on the sustainability of retirement plans and government spending. He claimed to have discovered a "magic money printing computer" within the U.S. Social Security system. DOGE also proposed a 20% reduction in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) workforce, expected to impact 6,800 employees, with the plan set to be implemented within a month after the Tax Day deadline in 2024. DOGE's reform plan is not limited to layoffs and cost-cutting. It is rumored that DOGE is exploring achieving full on-chain government budgeting through blockchain technology to enhance financial transparency and accountability.

The total number of SSA employees has recently been reduced from 57,000 to approximately 50,000 to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. In its February 2025 statement, it stated: "The current structure of the ten regional offices is no longer sustainable and will be fully compressed into four regions. The headquarters' organizational structure also suffers from inefficiency."