Black Retirees Could Lose Ground As Social Security Policies Shift

The nation’s vital safety net is undergoing yet another transformation, raising concerns that it will disproportionately impact those who rely on it most. Millions are preparing for significant changes to Social Security scheduled for this fall and extending into 2026. While Washington refers to these shifts as modernization and reform, many view them as an encroaching burden, particularly affecting Black Americans, historically marginalized and struggling under unfulfilled promises.For individuals born in 1960 or later, full retirement benefits will now be available at 67. Stricter qualification criteria for disability benefits will emerge, and the cessation of paper checks—crucial for numerous seniors and unbanked individuals—will follow. Under the current administration’s claims of safeguarding Social Security, critics argue otherwise. Rutgers Law School professor Jon C. Dubin noted in his work that the program’s inequities have deep historical roots tied to the exploitation of Black workers.The impacts of these changes are reflected in data revealing that Black retirees tend to receive fewer benefits due to shorter employment spans, lower wages, and health vulnerabilities, exacerbated by the elevated retirement age. The implications are clear: delaying claims leads to reduced lifetime benefits or premature death without a return on waiting. This contrasts sharply with reform, representing...