Sean Sullivan
July 6, 2025
Advocator Advantage regularly attends the National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives’ (NOSSCR) biannual conferences, which are frequently attended by high-ranking officials from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Speaking at the Spring 2025 conference in Washington, D.C., in April, and looking ahead to the Fall 2025 conference in San Diego in September, discussions often revolve around the evolving challenges and priorities of the SSA.
The overarching tone in SSA’s presentations and recent reports continues to be about significant budget challenges and the long-term solvency of the program. SSA is currently facing ongoing backlogs in certain areas, though recent efforts, particularly related to the Social Security Fairness Act, have seen millions of retroactive payments processed.
The 2025 Social Security Trustees Report projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund is only eight years from insolvency (2033), with a potential 23 percent benefit cut if no action is taken. This comes amidst ongoing discussions in Congress regarding a new appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026 (beginning October 2025), with the agency facing a renewed focus on workforce reductions and organizational restructuring, aiming for a staffing target of 50,000 employees, down from approximately 57,000, which could impact service delivery.
In January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. This has led to over 2.5 million retroactive payments being processed for affected individuals, with a goal to update all beneficiary records by November 2025. While this addresses a specific area, the broader challenge of processing claims and wait times, particularly for disability adjudications, remains a key focus for the agency, with efforts to modernize IT systems and enhance digital services.
The long-term financial health of Social Security, as highlighted in the 2025 Trustees Report, relies heavily on legislative action from Congress. Therefore, the future of benefits and services for claimants remains a critical topic, with calls for urgent action to prevent abrupt changes to taxes or benefits.
Although the OASI fund supports both retirement and disability benefits, the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund is in significantly better financial shape. According to the 2025 Trustees Report, the DI fund is projected to pay full benefits through at least 2099, thanks in part to a strategic reallocation of payroll tax revenue authorized by Congress in 2015. While the overall solvency of Social Security remains a concern, history shows that Congress has consistently taken action to rebalance and reinforce the trust funds to ensure the continued full payment of benefits.
We will continue to share updates about these plans and developments as more information becomes available and Congress makes these key decisions impacting the Social Security landscape.
Nothing in this post is intended as advice or a suggestion to elect or not elect to claim benefits of any kind, including Social Security benefits, nor is it intended as financial advice in any way. The decision to claim benefits is a personal one that is contingent upon each individual’s unique circumstances.
Understanding the Risks of Scams Targeting SSDI and Medicare Beneficiaries Every day, scammers are finding new ways to steal your hard-earned benefits. Are you protected? In today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever for fraudsters to target Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare beneficiaries. They’re after your personal information, and if they get it, you could
Read More If you become unable to work due to an illness or injury, then applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) could benefit you in a variety of ways. SSDI recipients can become eligible for Medicare faster than if they had to wait until they turned 65, the typical Medicare start age. SSDI recipients are eligible
Read More
As a cornerstone of the American healthcare system, Medicare provides coverage to more than 65 million Americans, a significant majority of whom are aged 65 and above. Since a substantial portion of Medicare beneficiaries rely on fixed income sources such as Social Security benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, or pensions, understanding the financial implications of comprehensive
Read MoreAt Advocator Advantage, a Brown & Brown Company, we are committed to helping individuals navigate the complexities of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, and the Ticket to Work program.
At Advocator Advantage, we understand that navigating SSDI, Medicare, and the Ticket to Work program can be complex and overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to address any questions or concerns you may have along your journey.
Contact UsFill out the form to get a free evaluation
