A proposal by the Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by DOGE, to radically overhaul the Social security Administration (SSA) is generating considerable controversy. The plan aims to replace the SSA’s existing technical infrastructure with an entirely new system within a matter of months, a timeline that many experts deem unrealistic and fraught with danger.

The Social Security Administration’s current tech is tried and true, and DOGE’s plan to overhaul it has been met with mixed reactions.

This enterprising undertaking has been met with skepticism, primarily due to the inherent risks associated with large-scale software upgrades. History is replete with examples of modernization projects that have exceeded budgets, fallen behind schedule, or simply failed to deliver on their promises. Given that the SSA is responsible for processing approximately $1.3 trillion in benefits annually for over 70 million Americans, any disruption to its systems could have devastating consequences.

For many U.S. citizens, Social Security isn’t just money; it’s a lifeline. A disruption could mean the difference between having food on the table and going hungry, or between affording necessary medication and going without. Consider the potential impact on elderly individuals with fixed incomes or disabled Americans who rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to cover essential living expenses.

DOGE’s plan risks breaking an infrastructure that for decades has served Americans reliably and efficiently. Rather,they should focus on improving it.

The SSA’s Software: The Unsung Hero of Benefit Delivery

For decades, the SSA has relied on a specialized software system to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of benefits. This system is integral to the SSA’s ability to calculate benefit amounts, enforce eligibility rules, and track payments.A complete overhaul, critics argue, could jeopardize these critical functions.

Maintaining the current infrastructure costs approximately 0.5% of the program’s total expenses. Replacing the software system would require significant investment and force SSA to partner with major technology firms such as Dell, Leidos, and IBM to help it keep the system running smoothly.In a time where budgets are being closely examined the additional expenditure is a major concern.

The rush that DOGE has in replacing SSA’s technical infrastructure would introduce errors, thus disrupting benefit payments.It could also cost the agency more besides risking leading to financial hardships for millions of beneficiaries who depend on Social Security.

The Enduring Power of COBOL and Mainframes

Much of the criticism surrounding the SSA’s current infrastructure focuses on its reliance on COBOL, a programming language developed in 1959, and mainframe computers. However, experts argue that these technologies are not as outdated as some might believe.

Critiques that the SSA relies on an outdated version forget that other option languages like C are over 50 years old, JavaScript turns 30 this year, and Python is 34.

COBOL, which was updated last in 2023, continues to be used extensively in the financial sector due to its ability to process massive amounts of financial data with extraordinary accuracy. According to industry reports, COBOL still powers an estimated 95% of ATM transactions.

Therefore, transitioning away from COBOL would cause errors in handling financial calculations. Although differences in figures with decimal points, e.g., 1000.99 and 1000.98, might seem small, alternative languages would create massive discrepancies when calculating SSA’s 840 million financial transactions annually.

Similarly, the mainframes used by the SSA are not relics of the past. These are powerful, modern systems designed for large-scale data processing and have been continuously upgraded over the years. They are widely used in banking,government,and healthcare for their reliability and security.

A High-Stakes Gamble

Speaking on the matter a representative from the American Association of Retired Persons put it plainly, “We rely on the SSA to get it right, because if they don’t, we suffer.We all suffer.”

Although Elon Musk might have experience in the technological sector, launching rockets and managing successful social media platforms, revamping the Social Security infrastructure is a different challenge, and the risks of failure are enormous. Unlike X (formerly Twitter), which could only inconvenience users for a few hours in case it collapses, the collapse of SSA could leave millions of people without medication, food, and rent.

The biggest mistake DOGE is making by pushing for changes with the SSA system is forgetting or ignoring that the current system has undergone decades of modernization and upgrading for it to run efficiently.

It would be better if DOGE considered updating the infrastructure continuously rather than opting for a one-time overhaul, which is risky.

Real-World Parallels: The healthcare.gov website launch in the U.S. serves as a cautionary tale. The initial rollout was plagued by technical glitches, preventing many Americans from enrolling in health insurance plans. this debacle underscores the potential consequences of rushing large-scale technology projects, especially when vital services are at stake.

Recent Developments: Congressional committees are beginning to scrutinize DOGE’s plan, raising concerns about the potential risks and costs. Hearings are scheduled to examine the feasibility of the proposed overhaul and explore alternative approaches to modernizing the SSA’s systems.

Conclusion: A Call for Caution and Targeted Improvements

Even though the SSA’s system is old, it has been reliable and sustainable and has worked for decades without failure. The rushed plan by DOGE to overhaul it could risk the livelihoods of millions of SSA’s dependents. Instead of risking this,DOGE should focus on targeted improvements that would enhance the efficiency of the existing system without compromising its functionality.