Larson Calls Out Trump-Musk Plan to Gut Social Security with Workers, Retirees, and Advocates at East Hartford Social Security Field Office

“This morning, the working people of our state stood united to call out Trump and Musk’s devastating plan to gut Social Security,” said Larson. “This has nothing to do with governmental efficiency and everything to do with finding $2 trillion to pay for another round of tax breaks for the wealthy. Social Security already operates with administrative costs of under one percent with staffing at a fifty-year low. These cuts will result in the delay, disruption, and denial of hard-working Americans’ earned benefits. Trump, Musk, and their billionaire friends won’t be losing a minute of sleep as they take an axe to the Social Security Administration. When I return to Washington next week, I will be introducing legislation to halt their plan to close field offices. Will our Republican colleagues join us to stand with their constituents, or will they continue to stand with an unelected, unconfirmed billionaire?” 

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s plan to cut the Social Security Administration and gut its workforce is not only reckless; it threatens access to Social Security that so many retirees rely on. Let’s be clear. This isn’t about cutting waste, fraud, and inefficiencies. This is so Trump and Musk can pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, all on the backs of senior citizens. This plan will only benefit one group of Americans – billionaires,” said Ed Hawthorne, President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. 

“Ensuring a stable and available workforce to administer the critical services Americans depend on is more important than ever,” said Joslyn DeLancey, CEA Vice President. “The implementation of the new Social Security benefits for teachers and other public servants under the new Social Security Fairness Act passed in January is essential to supporting the livelihoods and retirement security of millions of Americans. Any delays in this process impact not only the financial well-being of our dedicated educators but also the ability of countless individuals and families to receive the benefits and funds they need to pay their bills, buy groceries, and cover rent or mortgage payments during these difficult times. Prioritizing this implementation is critical to upholding our commitment to those who have served our communities.” 

“When policy decisions threaten to erode the security that our seniors and working families depend on, we must stand together. Today, we reaffirm our pledge to fight for a future where every worker can look forward to a secure retirement and therefore condemn any efforts to dismantle the Social Security Administration,” said Travis Woodward, President of CSEA SEIU Local 2001, representing 25,000 members, including 12,000 state retirees. 

"Social Security employees are working under duress. Not only are there fewer of us to serve an ever-expanding population in need of services, right now we are being threatened with a reduction in force that would handicap the agency we swore an oath to serve. We are people from every walk of life that have convened in our agency to help the American people from birth to death and beyond. Every American comes to us throughout their life for various essential services. We are the safety net in case of a disability or for survivor benefits. We are there to process benefits at retirement age. We are proud of the work we do. A 50% reduction on the Social Security employees will result in longer wait times for appointments and approvals. Closure of offices would leave communities without access to the essential services SSA administers. Fraud, waste and abuse is minimal at less than 1% of benefit payouts. On the other hand, the Social Security Administration is one of the most efficiently administered government agencies, with an overhead of 1%. Americans deserve a thriving, fully staffed, and funded SSA. They have already paid for it!” said Camillie Pineiro, AFGE Local 1164 President. 

"As a steward for Local AFGE 1164 I am very concerned about the current way the Administration is preparing to cut the federal workforce without working with the legislative branch to come up with an actual plan on how these cuts will affect the American Public that we serve. Social Security has more beneficiaries needing service every day now that the baby boomers are reaching their retirement age, with less staff to handle all Americans who will need their benefits as they retire. We had about 60,000 employees in 2020 and before all this recent turnover in 2025, we had approximately 58,000. Less employees means longer service times for everyone that needs service from the Social Security Administration, regardless of if they are reaching out over the phone, in person, or over the internet. I do not know what the plan is for how the agency would plan on serving the American people, as it has not been shared with the rank-and-file employees. All we know is from the information that we are receiving through our emails, which has been very confusing and not well thought out or planned. Social Security is a security blanket benefit that the American People have paid into, and they deserve to have timely service by well-trained public servants,” said Ryan Dugan, AFGE Local 1164 Steward. “I am also a veteran who wanted to work for the federal government because I wanted to continue to serve the American Public. Veterans compose of about 30% of the federal workforce and are very dedicated to continuing their service to the public. Firing and removing veterans and employees under the guise of ‘performance’ issues where none exists is very disheartening and a disrespectful way to remove public servants who have served with dignity, respect, and dedication since they started their careers in federal service.”