The Social Security Administration announced plans on Friday to cut 7,000 workers as part of the Trump administration’s effort to slash the size of the federal workforce.
The U.S. government agency, which sends checks to 73 million retired and disabled Americans each month, said the 12 percent reduction would trim staffing to 50,000 workers.
The agency’s workforce cuts come as the ranks of Americans receiving Social Security benefits have swelled to an all-time high, largely due to the aging baby boomer population. An average of about 11,000 boomers are set to turn 65 each day this year through 2027.