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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(132,902 posts)
Fri Dec 20, 2024, 03:45 PM Dec 2024

Will a government shutdown affect Social Security checks? Here's what you need to know

A government shutdown may not be the gift Americans had on their list this holiday season. But the potential for one looms Friday.

-snip-

What happens to Social Security if the government shuts down?

During a government shutdown, some federal agencies continue their work because at least some of their workers are considered “essential” to continue activities such as air traffic control, border protection, law enforcement, in-hospital medical care, and power grid maintenance, notes the nonprofit, nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Among those agencies and programs that continue on because some of their mandatory spending is not subject to annual appropriations by Congress: Medicare, Medicaid and, yes, Social Security.

Social Security has "dedicated funding, so it's outside of the budget process," said Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. "All that money is there to paid (out). It doesn't have to be appropriated. … You're still going to get your checks."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/will-a-government-shutdown-affect-social-security-checks-here-s-what-you-need-to-know/ar-AA1wb6Bd

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Will a government shutdown affect Social Security checks? Here's what you need to know (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Dec 2024 OP
TY This has been one of my concerns. Cha Dec 2024 #1
I'm a retired Federal Employee Nictuku Dec 2024 #2
The answer is no. valleyrogue Dec 2024 #3
I think they did way back before the electronic funds transfer when a shutdown stopped the LiberalArkie Dec 2024 #5
I was sure we were okay for the short term but it is good to know Norbert Dec 2024 #4

Nictuku

(4,566 posts)
2. I'm a retired Federal Employee
Fri Dec 20, 2024, 04:13 PM
Dec 2024

I worked for the Judiciary for 21 years. The Judiciary at the Federal level is also considered essential, at least my office was (District and Court of Appeals levels).

We went through at least 3 of these near shut-downs, and one of them where they actually did shut it down due to Republican shenanigans.

The judiciary is capable of continuing paying its employees for .... I think it was a matter of (#) weeks can't remember how many, either 6 weeks or 12 ... maybe longer. Sorry, I can't remember (I know, I'm getting old).

They way they are able to do this is to borrow the government version of 401(k) funds. That is right, they used our retirement money to keep things running. It was paid back once the government was funded.

But what if they don't? I mean..... anything can happen with these crazy cons who want it all for themselves. It is easy to steal in chaos. And I don't, for a minute, think that stealing all the money is not the #1 issue for TSF. Even more than revenge.

valleyrogue

(2,588 posts)
3. The answer is no.
Fri Dec 20, 2024, 04:24 PM
Dec 2024

Social Security has never, ever missed a payment in its nearly 90 years of existence.

LiberalArkie

(19,319 posts)
5. I think they did way back before the electronic funds transfer when a shutdown stopped the
Fri Dec 20, 2024, 04:59 PM
Dec 2024

GPO - Government Printing Office from printing the checks to put into the mail.

One of the reasons they do not like having to send actual checks.

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