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4 things you need to know

    During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to put an end to the federal taxes of the benefits for retirement in social security. This is not something that he can do unilaterally. Witte Huis Pers Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the president and Republican legislators have discussed, including this step in a budget package.

    But so far in his second term, President Trump has made some changes that directly or indirectly influence social security. Here are four things you need to know.

    President Donald Trump is on a stage.
    Image Source: Official photo of the White House by Shealah Craighead.

    One of Trump's actions on the first day of his return to the White House can influence the operational aspects of social security. He mentioned several acting cabinet members and department heads, including selecting Michelle King as acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA).

    King has an extensive background at the SSA. In 1994 she joined the office as a bilingual claim representative. Over the years she moved to higher positions. Before she was appointed acting commissioner, she was the deputy commissioner for operations.

    President Trump set Tesla CEO Elon Musk charged with the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a temporary organization set up to identify ways to reduce federal expenditure. Musk and Doge have been quite in the news with their efforts to lower the government costs. They are now focusing on social security.

    Musk recently posted X, the social media site that he has previously Twitter, that he believes that there is significant fraud in law programs, including social security. He also claimed that more than $ 100 billion is paid to people without a social security number every year.

    According to Musk, the goal of Doge is to cut $ 2 trillion for federal expenses. Achieving this goal without reducing the benefits of social security would be extremely difficult.

    However, DOGE's efforts are mainly focused on administrative efficiency and productivity. Any cuts on social security should assume the congress and signed by President Trump in the law.

    Cost-Living adjustments of Social Security (Colas) are based on inflation. That is why everything that President Trump does, which increases or decreases inflation can ultimately influence future colas.