""It's going to extend the amount of time that it takes for them to have their claim processed," said Senden, who helps the American Federation of Government Employees administer Social Security benefits to its retirees in six states. "It's going to extend the amount of time that they have to wait to get benefits.

The SSA, which is now led by acting commissioner Leland Dudek, said it aims to achieve most of its layoffs through offering early retirement to longtime employees and voluntary reassignments. It also hunted at "reduction-in-force actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions."

Dudek, who the Washington Post reported praised South African centibillionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on social media, leapfrogged several more senior officials at the SSA to lead the agency last month. He took over after former acting commissioner Michelle King was effectively forced out after refusing to allow DOGE officials to access sensitive Social Security data.

Last month, Martin O'Malley — the Democratic Maryland ex-governor who served as SSA commissioner under former President Joe Biden — warned that if DOGE made drastic cuts to the agency, retirees could soon feel the brunt of it in their pockets.

"At this rate, they will break it. And they will break it fast, and there will be an interruption of benefits," O'Malley said. "I believe you will see that within the next 30 to 90 days."