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New Social Security Rules Could Leave Black Retirees Further Behind

October 24, 2025

The United States is implementing significant changes to Social Security that may disproportionately impact Black Americans and other vulnerable populations. Beginning with the retirement age rising to 67 for those born in 1960 or later, the reforms also include stricter disability qualification rules and the elimination of paper checks as of September 30. According to research, these modifications will likely exacerbate existing racial disparities in Social Security benefits, as Black retirees already receive approximately 19 percent less than white retirees due to systemic inequities in wages, workforce participation, and life expectancy.

Who is affected

  • Black Americans and retirees who receive smaller checks due to historical workforce disparities
  • People born in 1960 or later who must now wait until age 67 for full retirement benefits
  • Older workers (50+) applying for disability benefits, particularly in the South and Midwest
  • Five million Americans who rely on paper checks, including elderly, disabled, and unbanked populations
  • Future retirees who must decide between claiming benefits early with reduced payments or waiting longer

What action is being taken

  • The retirement age for full Social Security benefits is being increased to 67 for those born in 1960 or later
  • The Treasury Department has stopped mailing paper Social Security payments as of September 30
  • The Trump administration is preparing potential cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance that could reduce eligibility by 20%
  • Disability rules are being rewritten to make qualification more difficult, including removing age as a major assessment factor

Why it matters

  • The changes perpetuate historical inequities in a system that was never "colorblind" to begin with
  • Black retirees already receive 19% less in Social Security benefits than white retirees
  • Raising the retirement age has a "racially disparate impact" due to shorter Black life expectancy
  • The elimination of paper checks creates hardships for the elderly, disabled, and unbanked
  • The disability rule changes will cause hardship for older workers who would qualify under existing rules
  • These reforms disproportionately affect those who have historically been "shut out, shortchanged, and forced to survive on the margins"

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint