Social Security to withhold 100% of benefits for overpayments

The Trump administration has reversed a policy from March 2024 that limited Social Security benefit withholding to 10% for overpayments. Starting March 27, the agency will withhold 100% of monthly benefits to recover alleged overpayments, citing fiscal responsibility. This change has drawn criticism from advocates who argue it will harm vulnerable recipients. They highlight that many overpayments result from government errors and that the new policy could lead to severe financial distress for those affected. The Social Security Administration is also undergoing staffing cuts, reducing its workforce from about 57,000 to 50,000. Critics warn this could exacerbate service delays and increase the likelihood of overpayments.