DOGE Plans Rapid Rewrite of Social Security Systems, Risks Benefits for Millions

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, plans to migrate the Social Security Administration's (SSA) systems away from the outdated COBOL programming language to a more modern one within an ambitious timeline of just a few months. Experts warn that such a rapid transition poses significant risks, including potential miscalculations in payments and system failures that could affect the over 65 million Americans dependent on Social Security benefits. Previous attempts to update the SSA's systems have failed, and concerns have been raised about the expedited deadline compromising quality assurance processes. Critics, including former SSA technologists, emphasize that the move could lead to serious errors and even the possibility of beneficiaries not receiving payments at all. This initiative follows increasing scrutiny of the SSA, particularly after Musk's claims of fraud within the agency, which have intensified calls for reform. The SSA has faced operational challenges recently, including website outages and long wait times, raising further questions about the feasibility of DOGE's plan.