Examples of DOGE in action
Musk has repeatedly called Social Security a Ponzi scheme and falsely claimed that benefits are fraudulently paid to people who have died and to undocumented immigrants. The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General estimates that about $72 billion in improper payments were made between 2015 and 2022 -- less than 1% of total benefits paid -- and most were overpayments, which is when someone who's eligible for benefits received more than they should, often due to a change in someone's living situation, marital status, or work status.
Though Social Security accounts for roughly 21% of the federal budget, less than 1% is spent on administrative expenses, including salaries, in a typical year. However, Musk plans to cut about 7,000 jobs from the Social Security Administration and close six out of 10 field offices. It's expected these cuts will lead to worse customer service, which has long been a struggle for the SSA.