Department of Justice Admits DOGE Employees Unlawfully Accessed Americans’ Social Security Data  

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) late Friday night admitted to making multiple inaccuracies and misrepresentations to federal courts in a case brought in February 2025 by the Alliance, AFSCME, and AFT challenging the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees’ access to Americans’ personal Social Security data.

In its filing, DOJ admitted that DOGE team members had improperly shared sensitive, personal data held by the Social Security Administration (SSA), validating key claims made in the initial case. 

In response to the revelations, Democracy Forward, which represents the Alliance, AFSCME, and AFT in this suit, went back to the District and Appeals courts. Read more here.

“The unauthorized release of Americans’ personal data represents a profound violation of public trust. Retirees, workers, and families depend on the Social Security Administration to protect their most confidential information,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “We have a right to know what happened to our information, who had access to it, and what it was used for.” 

Alliance Members Rally to Support Social Security Administration Field Office Workers

Last week, Alliance members joined the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) to demand that Congress fully staff and fund the Social Security Administration. Members participated in rallies throughout the country, including in Milwaukee, Dallas, Aurora, Colorado, and Cincinnati.  

“When they start closing offices, that hinders our senior citizens,” said Ross Winklbauer, president of the Wisconsin Alliance. “They call into Social Security if they have a question or to file a claim, and they’re sitting on the phone for hours because of short staffing and not getting their questions answered.”

Dallas Alliance Chapter President Kenneth Williams pointed out that the Administration’s focus on digital-only communication is going to leave a lot of older Americans out: “There's a lot of folks who don't have access to the internet. There are a lot of people who aren't comfortable using computers. You're not going to just replace all of these Social Security offices with online access. That's not going to work. That's going to leave a lot of people out.”

Left: Alex Creese and Brenda Carsten with AFGE Local 4012, Carolyn Boller with Alliance for Retired Americans in front of the Social Security office in Aurora, Colorado; Right: Texas Alliance member Judy Bryant (front) stands with other Alliance members outside a Social Security Administration office in Dallas

A new report found that more than half of all Social Security frontline employees make less than the living wage in their communities with many holding second or third jobs to make ends meet. SSA's ability to manage its workload has degraded since the Administration cut 12 percent of the agency’s workforce last year. As a result, many beneficiaries have struggled to access their benefits.

“Wednesday’s events were a much needed call to action. Congress must fully staff and fund the Social Security Administration so older Americans can receive the benefits they’ve earned without jumping through hoops,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “We will continue to work with allies to support Social Security workers, stop Administration attacks on the SSA, and strengthen benefits.”

It’s Time to Register for Alliance National Membership Meeting this April 

The event will kick off with a late afternoon welcome reception on Monday, April 27, and concludes by 12 PM on Thursday, April 30. Attendees will elect the Alliance’s officers, participate in special workshops, learn about emerging issues and what’s at stake in the 2026 elections, and ways to grow our retiree activism. They will also attend a special “Senior Prom Ball and Dinner” celebrating the Alliance’s anniversary.

The registration fee is $150 and covers all meeting activities and most meals. The hotel rate is $69 per night, plus tax, with no resort fee and free parking. Register at this link.

Hotel reservations must be made separately. To book your hotel room online, visit this link or call 888-696-2121. Be sure to use the code ARA2626. Please contact Joni Jones at [email protected] or 888-373-6497 with any questions.

You’re Invited: Special Webinar to Stop the Scam and Protect Older Adults from Social Media and AI-Driven Fraud

Scams targeting older adults are rapidly evolving, fueled by social media platforms and increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence tools. From fake ads and impersonation messages to cloned voices and deceptive videos, scammers are exploiting trust and technology at unprecedented levels. Older adults are being disproportionately harmed, yet education, consumer protections, and accountability have not kept pace.

Join us January 29 at 4 PM ET for a webinar introducing the Alliance’s Stop the Scam Campaign.

During the webinar participants will learn how social media and AI are being used to target and deceive older adults and why education and collective action can lead to stronger protections and safer online environments.

Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/allianceforretiredamericans/event/883590/ 

KFF Health News: These 3 Policy Moves Are Likely To Change Health Care for Older People
By Paula Span

Month after month, Patricia Hunter and other members of the Nursing Home Reform Coalition logged onto video calls with congressional representatives, seeking support for a proposed federal rule setting minimum staff levels for nursing homes.

Finally, after decades of advocacy, the Biden administration in 2023 tackled the problem of perennial understaffing of long-term care facilities. Officials backed a Medicare regulation that would mandate at least 3.48 hours of care from nurses and aides per resident, per day, and would require a registered nurse on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The mandated hours were lower than supporters hoped for, said Hunter, who directs Washington state’s long-term care ombudsman program. But “I’m a pragmatic person, so I thought, this is a good start,” she said. “It would be helpful, for enforcement, to have a federal law.”

In 2024, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services adopted the standards, advocates celebrated. But industry lawsuits soon blocked most of the rule, with two federal district courts finding that Medicare had exceeded its regulatory authority.

And after the 2024 elections, Hunter said, “I was concerned about the changing of the guard.” Her concerns proved well founded.

Read more here.

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