Money

For nearly 90 years, Social Security has served as the bedrock of retirement security in the United States. Nearly 67 million Americans rely on its benefits — retirees, people with disabilities, survivors and dependents alike. But today, the program is under extraordinary strain. Budget shortfalls, rising demand and administrative challenges are converging in ways that threaten both its integrity and accessibility.

AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau issued the following statement related to customer service changes announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA):

According to an AARP survey, 61% of older adults are worried they will not have enough money to support themselves in retirement, and 20% of older adults have no retirement savings at all.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced it will no longer allow beneficiaries and those applying for Social Security to confirm their identity over the phone and, instead, will require that they do so online or in person at a local office to complete the application process.

AARP opposes move that will require online or in-person ID proof to process claims, saying it will harm older Americans

One of the most popular ways for criminals to steal money and sensitive information is by impersonating a trusted source—often a government agency.

Scams take many forms so being aware and understanding the variety of ways criminals use to steal money can help you stay a step ahead of scams. Scammers may seek payment through hard-to-trace methods with few or no protections including gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps and, more recently, gold bars.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a significant and unexpected change requiring certain customer service requests to be handled in person, eliminating the ability for many Americans to get assistance by phone. This shift, set to take effect in just two weeks, could create unnecessary barriers for millions—especially older adults, people with disabilities, and rural residents who may have to travel long distances or take time off work just to access basic Social Security services.

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