Mark Cuban has warned that Social Security may be getting weaker in ways that are easy to miss. He says benefits do not have to be officially cut for seniors to feel the impact. Changes in how the program is funded or managed can slowly reduce the support retirees depend on.
Mark Cuban Says Hidden Social Security Changes Are Threatening Retirees
He began speaking out about this about a year ago, soon after Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2024.
Cuban argued that even if the monthly payment amount stays the same on paper, the overall value and reliability of the program can still decline. For older Americans who depend heavily on those checks, even minor disruptions or reductions in service can make a real difference.
Change in How Seniors Get Assistance
In a post on BlueSky in March 2025, he sounded the alarm over plans to cut phone support for people receiving Social Security. He argued that removing that direct line of support would create real obstacles for seniors trying to manage their benefits or resolve payment issues.
To him, it felt like a quiet way to shrink support without formally lowering monthly checks. He did not hide his frustration.
Now, nearly a year later, his warning feels timely again. The Social Security Administration is preparing to roll out sweeping changes. This has renewed attention on what he said earlier. Particularly about access and service being just as important as the dollar amount of a check.
Social Security Office Closures and Longer Wait Times
For many retirees, talking to a real person at Social Security is essential. Many older Americans are not comfortable using online systems. Some live in rural communities where the nearest office is far away. When something goes wrong with a payment, a simple phone call can make all the difference.
That is why there was strong pushback when the SSA announced plans last year to end phone support entirely. The proposal was eventually pulled back. Still, the larger direction has people concerned. Staffing levels have been shrinking. Offices have closed. And the options seniors once had to get help are slowly narrowing.
How SSA Budget and Staffing Cuts Affect Retirees
A report released in January 2026 by the Center for American Progress shows how sharp the staffing decline has been at the Social Security Administration.
In 2025 alone, more than 6,600 employees left the agency. That represents roughly 11 percent of its workforce. Thirty-three states saw staffing drop by at least 10 percent. Wyoming was hit especially hard with a 19 percent loss. Missouri and Wisconsin each saw a 14 percent decline. Some rural field offices shut down completely.
These cuts are already being felt. People are waiting longer on hold. It is tougher to book appointments. Seniors who need help sorting through paperwork or fixing payment issues have fewer people to turn to.
At the same time, demand has not eased. The SSA is also planning to slash in-person visits by more than half, reducing them from 31 million to about 15 million. That means even fewer chances to sit down face-to-face with someone who can help.
What the Move to Online Services Means for Seniors
The SSA is steering people toward its online platform as the main way to handle benefits and account issues. As staffing levels shrink, the agency is relying more on digital access instead of phone or in-person support. The transition to online modus operandi is no doubt frustrating for older people.
Learning how to use the online portal now could save time down the road. Retirees who become familiar with managing their accounts online may be less likely to face long waits, delayed payments, or problems that take weeks to resolve.
How to Act on Mark Cuban’s Social Security Concerns
Mark Cuban’s core point is that Social Security does not have to announce a formal cut to feel smaller. The impact can show up in slower responses, limited access, and more hurdles when seniors try to get help.
That is why retirees need to stay engaged. Deciding when to claim benefits can raise or lower your monthly check for the rest of your life. Couples can plan their claims together instead of treating them as separate decisions.
It is also smart to review your earnings history and correct any errors before they affect your payout. Getting familiar with the SSA’s online tools can cut down on delays. You may not control agency staffing or policy shifts, but you can take charge of the decisions that shape your own retirement income.
