Retirement Social Security

Social Security Staff Is at a 60-Year Low - Here's What That Means When the Money Runs Out

Social Security is facing a double whammy that could hurt beneficiaries.

By Maurie Backman , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated May 27, 2026

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Many people end up relying heavily on Social Security benefits during retirement because they don't manage to accumulate much savings for their post-working years. But Social Security is facing a double crisis as potential benefit cuts loom and the agency is working with a major staffing shortage.

As of January 2026, the Social Security Administration (SSA) had fewer employees than at any time since 1967, at which point the agency served 52 million fewer beneficiaries. And as of mid-2025, each SSA staff member was tasked with serving 1,480 beneficiaries — more than three times the ratio as in 1967.

All of this is coming at a time when Social Security faces broad cuts, and the combination could be downright horrific for millions of future retirees.

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Social Security is facing massive cuts

Social Security is dealing with two major problems at the same time — a huge staffing shortage and the possibility of benefit cuts as early as 2032. That's when the program's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement benefits, is projected to run out of money, according to a recent update from the Congressional Budget Office.

Last year, the Social Security Trustees projected that once that fund ran dry, the program would only be equipped to pay 77% of scheduled benefits. This means that without lawmaker intervention, current and future Social Security recipients could be looking at a 23% cut.

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The double whammy is bad news

Reduced staffing at the SSA is not what's putting the program at risk of having to cut benefits. In fact, one issue really has nothing to do with the other. Rather, it's that current and future retirees could be in for a world of financial pain as both issues come to a head.

The reason Social Security risks benefit cuts has to do with a shrinking labor force. The program's main source of funding is payroll taxes. But as older workers retire in droves, that revenue stream is expected to shrink.

Meanwhile, staffing cuts at the SSA can limit access to benefits. If future retirees have trouble scheduling appointments or getting through to customer service when calling the SSA by phone, their benefit claims could be delayed. And while that issue could be mitigated by filing for Social Security benefits online, not everyone is able to do that.

Social Security staffing cuts could also limit access to benefits if it takes longer for the agency to process filed claims and review appeals for denied claims. And if it's harder to reach customer service, future recipients who need help navigating their options may be more likely to file for benefits at a suboptimal age due to not understanding the rules.

The fact that these issues coexist poses a real threat to people who plan to collect Social Security in the next five to 10 years.

Social Security cuts aren't a given

It's important to recognize that Social Security cuts aren't a sure thing. Lawmakers have a lot to lose by allowing the program to slash benefits broadly. But even if Congress is able to prevent benefit cuts, the solutions they employ to do that could impact future retirees in a negative way.

One solution, for example, is to move Social Security's full retirement age from 67 for people born in or after 1960 to a later age. That's the age when recipients can claim benefits without a reduction.

If that change were to get phased in, future claimants would likely have pressing questions about their options. But if there's not enough staff at the SSA to address those concerns, it could put beneficiaries in a very difficult position.

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Future retirees should prepare for a rough road

Even though Social Security may not end up having to cut benefits, it's important for future retirees to prepare for that possibility in case it ends up happening. It's also important to anticipate less access to customer service.

If you expect to sign up for Social Security in the next few years, make sure to understand the rules of claiming benefits so you file at the right time for you. And no matter your exact timeline, if possible, try to file for benefits online, or get someone to help you do that.

Bottom line

Social Security plays an important role in many retirees' finances. But the program is facing two huge problems it needs to resolve.

If you're many years away from claiming Social Security benefits, consider this a warning that relying too heavily on those monthly checks could lead to financial stress during your retirement. Instead of landing in that situation, do your best to make the right moves for your senior years so you don't have to depend too heavily on a program that faces budget cuts and a glaring lack of staff.

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