WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Social Security Administration (SSA) has officially endorsed President Donald Trump’s memorandum, “Preventing Illegal Aliens from Receiving Social Security Act Benefits,” doubling down on its commitment to protecting taxpayer contributions and ensuring that benefits are distributed only to eligible individuals.
“The Social Security Administration is dedicated to protecting the vital benefits that American workers have earned on behalf of themselves and their families,” said Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek. “We are committed to working diligently to implement the President’s memorandum and to ensure that benefits are paid only to those who should receive them.”
The memorandum outlines a series of measures to uphold program integrity and prevent ineligible individuals, including illegal aliens, from accessing Social Security benefits. These actions include expanding the agency’s fraud prosecutor initiatives, investigating mismatched earnings records of individuals aged 100 years or older, reassessing the civil monetary penalty program, and reinforcing eligibility measures to ensure that noncitizens fully meet the requirements for benefits.
Currently, the SSA administers three essential programs established through the Social Security Act, serving over 70 million Americans. The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) program, created in 1935, distributes over $1.3 trillion annually, providing retirement and survivor benefits to around 59 million individuals each month. The Disability Insurance (DI) program, established in 1956, offers $157 billion annually to more than 8 million recipients. Meanwhile, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which supports aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income, allocates $56 billion annually to 7.4 million beneficiaries, some of whom also receive OASI or DI benefits.
Together, these programs form a vital safety net for millions of Americans. By implementing the measures detailed in the memorandum, the SSA aims to enhance accountability and maintain public trust in the nation’s social insurance systems. Looking ahead, the agency’s renewed focus underscores its dedication to protecting the financial stability of its beneficiaries and ensuring the long-term integrity of its programs.
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