Privatizing social security, is Musk's DOGE going to "bite the hard bones"?

The government efficiency department (DOGE) led by Elon Musk is undergoing drastic reforms at the Social Security Administration (SSA), including layoffs, budget cuts, and service transformations.

According to media reports, the SSA is undergoing large-scale reforms led by "DOGE," which include layoffs, budget cuts, and the transition of certain services (such as identity verification) to online or offline access.

Analysts warn that these changes may erode customer service, impact benefits, and ultimately undermine consumer confidence, thereby creating conditions for the government to hand it over to the private sector.

Notably, although Trump has repeatedly stated that he would not touch Social Security, Musk has referred to the plan as a "Ponzi scheme" and indicated that his team is investigating "fraud, waste, and abuse" throughout the federal government, particularly in mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Jason Fichtner, who served as the acting deputy commissioner of the SSA under the last two U.S. presidents (George W. Bush and Obama), stated:

"If you ask why we need Social Security? If the government can't handle it, why don't we privatize it?"

Social Security Reform Storm: DOGE's "Efficiency" Actions

Under the leadership of DOGE and acting commissioner Leland Dudek, the SSA is undergoing a series of significant reforms.

Recently, DOGE announced plans to reduce the workforce from 57,000 to 50,000; cut spending on information technology and non-public area real estate; reduce regional and field offices; and shift some phone services (such as identity verification) to online or offline access.

Analysts point out that the Social Security system is actually running quite efficiently. According to Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and Disability Policy at the progressive think tank Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the system consistently pays benefits on time with an accuracy rate of 99.7%.

Nevertheless, the Trump administration has stated that it is looking for ways to improve. Experts are concerned that these changes may lead to a decline in service quality, ultimately eroding public confidence in the government's ability to manage the program and paving the way for privatization.

"Making it harder for beneficiaries to conduct daily business will lead to frustration, ultimately 'undermining public support for this agency,'" said Maria Freese, a senior Social Security expert at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, in an interview with Market Watch on the 23rd:

"The second step is for Republicans to intervene—especially those who have been advocating for privatization for decades—and say, 'Clearly the public sector isn't working, we must privatize all functions of the agency, and then also privatize benefits. Why not put it on the stock market?'"

Political Tug-of-War: Trump's Position and DOGE's Influence

Andrew Biggs, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, believes that Trump's promise not to cut Social Security benefits is an "unusual position for Republicans." Biggs said:

"When he is doing the opposite with all his might, the secret attempt to privatize Social Security is not very credible."

Although Trump has repeatedly stated that he will not touch Social Security, Musk has referred to the program as a "Ponzi scheme" and indicated that his DOGE team is digging into "fraud, waste, and abuse" within the federal government—especially in welfare programs.

Although neither Trump nor Musk has publicly discussed the privatization of the program, experts say that the steps taken by Musk and DOGE could put the future of the program as a government entity at risk