A number of experts and politicians have commented that if DOGE starts firing large numbers of people at the Social Security Administration, payments could be interrupted. In January 2025, roughly 73 million people received Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. Approximately 40% of these have Social Security as their only income. The Security Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported that without Social Security, nearly 4 in 10 adults aged 65 and older would have incomes below the official poverty line. At this point, there appears to be almost no chance Social Security payments will be eliminated.