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By Aliss Higham
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) office that oversees the agency's operations, review and analytics is undergoing an "organizational realignment."
The SSA's Office of Analytics, Review and Oversight (OARO), which is responsible for advancing the agency's mission, goals and service principles, as well as overseeing fraud detection and prevention efforts and addressing recommendations from external monitoring authorities, has been moved to "existing parts of the agency," according to a press release issued on February 21.
Newsweek has contacted the SSA for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
Numerous changes being made at federal government agencies after President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to "implement the president's agenda by modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency."
While the SSA has not confirmed if the changes being made are a result of DOGE interventions, its audits on various federal government departments, including the SSA, have attracted considerable attention in recent weeks.
According to a DOGE website, millions of dollars have already been saved through SSA cutting contracts, including IT support and a project regarding research into alternative gender identities.
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What To Know
Now, functions of OARO will be moved to existing parts of the SSA, which the SSA said in the press release would "streamline layers of management, increase data sharing with essential Social Security components, and speed the opportunities to identify fraud, waste, and abuse and implement needed solutions."
The announcement came shortly after the SSA announced it would terminate cooperative agreements with the Retirement and Disability Research Consortium (RDRC)—a program for research on Social Security, retirement and disability policy issues. Ending the agreements is expected to result "in about $15 million in cost savings for hardworking Americans in fiscal year 2025," the SSA said.
DOGE At The SSA
DOGE's work at the SSA has not been without criticism, with several lawmakers and people previously involved with the agency coming to its defense, including the recent resignation of the acting Social Security Commissioner Michelle King. Democratic lawmakers have alleged she was removed for refusing to provide access to sensitive data without the necessary clearance.
She has since been replaced by acting Commissioner Lee Dudek, who confirmed that DOGE staffers will not be able to make changes to agency systems, benefit payments or other information.
What People Are Saying
Social Security Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek: "President Trump has made it clear that good government must do better at identifying and eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. Realigning functions previously under the Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight, is an important, common-sense step in the right direction to further strengthen the integrity of the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs millions of people depend on."
A letter from Democrat senators Ron Wyden and Chuck Schumer reads: "We write to express deep concern regarding disturbing reports" that President Donald Trump replaced SSA Acting Commissioner Michelle King "for refusing to provide Elon Musk and the so-called 'Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to the agency's most sensitive data without proper documentation, and that you have provided DOGE unfettered access."
What Happens Next
Further cuts that DOGE staff plans for the SSA and its spending are unclear at this time.
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