# Social Security watch thread -- from rumor to fact to speculation and back again **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 23, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976 "2025-03-23T13:20:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/101 "2025-03-25T20:02:17Z")
I think that the bank sent in the paperwork to SS after doing whatever passed for verification and then I got the card in the mail. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/102 "2025-03-25T20:04:34Z")
As I said earlier, > [@What\_Exit](#): > > Keep it current. Drop the past practices from this thread please. You can always spin it off if you like. > **How to Reply as a linked Topic** > > Click Reply, in the upper left corner of the reply window is the reply type button, _looks like a curving arrow point to the right_. > > Choose **Reply as linked topic** and it starts a new thread. As an example, you can choose GD, IMHO or The Pit for it. > > That is actually the best method. **Moderating:** ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/103 "2025-03-25T20:08:47Z")
At my local, rural Social Security office they recently installed a security guard outside the office. Never had one before that I am aware of. The only reason I know is that a friend of mine did a rotation as a security guard there recently. It’s a very secluded, quiet location so I am not sure why a security guard is necessary but I don’t know everything. The office is not open for walk ins anymore but they do schedule in person appointments or document drop offs as needed. There is a larger office about a half hour distant that still has walk in service. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/104 "2025-03-25T22:27:58Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I’m not at all saying we should go back to that, but somehow, things that were common not so long ago are insurmountable problems now. The reason is that it is such a problem is not just that they are cutting telephone access for certain issues and messing up with the website–but that they are also closing offices and substantially reducing staff. **Long waits, waves of calls, web crashes: Social Security is breaking down:** A flood of cuts led by Elon Musk has sent the agency into chaos as a new commissioner prepares to take charge. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/25/social-security-phones-doge-cuts/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/25/social-security-phones-doge-cuts/) Nonpaywalled reprint: [https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/long-waits-waves-of-calls-web-crashes-social-security-is-breaking-down/ar-AA1BBnUP](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/long-waits-waves-of-calls-web-crashes-social-security-is-breaking-down/ar-AA1BBnUP) ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/105 "2025-03-26T07:38:09Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Remember when the cards said “no to be used for identification purposes”? It is to laugh! And yet you were expected to keep your card in your wallet for some reason! (I don’t remember the exact year, but I do remember the evening when there was a piece on the news about why this was a bad practice, and my parents scrambling to make sure all of our Social Security cards were out of wallets and securely locked away.) ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/106 "2025-03-26T15:19:02Z")
So at least according ro the SSA page linkwd by PastTense, if you currently have access to myssa online then you’re good to go unless you need to make charges. Other sources say that even current recipients will have to visit their local office to continue receiving benefits. I suppose we should believe what the SSA says, but honestly I don’t know what to believe. I did get paid this month, and I regularly login to myssa using a login dot gov login. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/107 "2025-03-26T15:36:50Z")
Actually just got back from visiting my local SSA offices (had to do a document drop off). Fast, efficient, friendly service. I really wish things could just stay as they are. I suspect, thought, TPTB intend to make things as difficult as possible. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/108 "2025-03-26T22:01:16Z")
Gift link [https://wapo.st/41Z4xrr](https://wapo.st/41Z4xrr) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/109 "2025-03-26T22:33:15Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > Gift link Social Security backs off plan to cut phone services after backlash. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/110 "2025-03-26T22:41:43Z")
It’s useful to know that a public backlash can actually have some effect. This has happened a couple of times in recent months. (Can’t remember specific examples… hell, can barely keep up). ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/111 "2025-03-27T10:50:52Z")
Hopefully most people will be able to do things online or will.have children or grand children who can help them do so. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/112 "2025-03-27T13:08:42Z")
The news is reporting this morning that a new policy will start today regarding folks who were overpaid benefits. Instead of paying back 10%, they will now have 100% of their check held until the balance is paid off. This is going to cause some problems for those who live check to check, which I imagine is a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/113 "2025-03-27T13:15:19Z")
I just ran across a student ID I got in the 1990s when I took an evening class at a local university. My ID# is my SS#. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/114 "2025-03-27T13:42:17Z")
Pilot certificates (licenses) used the SSN as the certificate number. A page on the FAA site that was last updated in 2022, they say that certificates are now issued with unique certificate numbers. (Also, you can change your SSN certificate number to the new number scheme.) ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/115 "2025-03-27T13:53:31Z")
When I was in college in the 80s, not only was my SS my ID number, grades would be posted on the wall outside the professor’s office using the SS number instead of your name. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/116 "2025-03-27T14:00:11Z")
My account number was my SSN at my credit union when I opened it in 1990. They changed all of them to a different system at some point. It’s not that difficult to get someone’s SSN. I ran a background check on this asshole around eight years ago. For $75 I got criminal history, credit report, every address where he ever lived and his SSN. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/117 "2025-03-27T14:00:18Z")
According to this archived [page](https://www.ssa.gov/history/reports/ssnreportc6.html) on the SS website: > Use of the SSN in State drivers license systems is already authorized by Federal law, and 29 States currently use the SSN as the drivers license number or show it on the license. The 1996 immigration reform provision on improved identification-related documents requires the SSN to be included on State drivers licenses by the year 2000. I thought I remembered my SSN being on my driver’s license for a period of time. This verifies my usually-faulty memory. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/118 "2025-03-27T15:03:39Z")
My ID driver’s license had my SSN until sometime in the early 2000s. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/119 "2025-03-27T16:33:53Z")
I don’t recall my SSN ever being on my (Soviet of Washington) DL, which I’ve had since 1964. Up until a few years ago the number included parts of one’s name and a code that identified the birth year, but those are gone now. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976/120 "2025-03-28T00:47:05Z")
I had my Social Security retirement benefits sign up call today and was able to complete everything on the phone without any issues. It turned out extremely well. The call came from my local office and the person explained my options thoroughly and I was very delighted with the outcome. They will also send me a fresh activation code so I can once again attempt to log in online. Very relieved it is over. Now I just need to wait for everything to land in my bank account. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976.md?page=7)