Trump Would Cut Disability Benefits by 20%: What It Would Mean for Retirees

• The Trump administration is analyzing changes that would reduce disability benefits by up to 20%.
• Older adults would be the most affected by stricter requirements.
• In the coming months, new regulations are expected that would modify how eligibility is evaluated.

The Social Security disability benefits program faces possible changes that could become the largest cut in its history.

The Trump administration is evaluating new rules that would make it harder to qualify for essential support, especially affecting older adults with severe limitations that prevent them from working.

Although not yet implemented, these modifications would have a deep impact on millions of people.

The Scope of the Social Security Cuts

In August 2025, 8.1 million people received SSDI, and 7.3 million accessed federal SSI.

However, a report from the Urban Institute warns that the plan contemplates broad changes that would tighten the SSDI eligibility criteria.

The proposal includes replacing outdated occupational data with the Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS), which will update how the SSA evaluates work capacity.

It would also bring new rules to analyze age, education, and work experience. These modifications would most strongly affect workers over 50.

• The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes that a 20% reduction in those who qualify would be the largest in SSDI history.
• Even a 10% cut could leave 500,000 people without support over 10 years, including 80,000 widows and children.
• It is also estimated that another 250,000 beneficiaries would lose partial SSDI eligibility during that period if the criteria is changed.

The Trump Admin is preparing a rule that could reduce the share of applicants who qualify for #SocialSecurity Disability Insurance by up to 20%, likely the largest cut in its history. Older workers would lose vital benefits if policymakers don’t act. https://t.co/P97pKOrC5G

— Center on Budget (@CenterOnBudget) October 16, 2025

How It Would Affect the Latino Community

Many Latino workers have built their working lives in physically demanding jobs. For them, a disability often means a real inability to work.

If eligibility criteria become stricter, thousands could lose access to indispensable disability benefits.

Latino families would also be affected by the domino effect: reduced income, increased poverty risk, loss of access to Medicare and Medicaid, and forced adjustments in retirement planning.

Stricter requirements for older adults would create significant pressure for those already dealing with complex medical conditions.

Key Data About These Changes

According to the Urban Institute, the impact could reduce SSDI eligibility by up to 30% among older workers.

A 10% cut would reduce benefits by $82 billion, affecting even the medical coverage tied to the program.

Rules regarding age, job skills, and type of work performed will determine whether an individual can access disability benefits.

What’s Next for the Social Security Disability Cuts

While the final version of the regulation is still pending, experts recommend staying informed and considering scenarios in which federal support becomes more limited.

Following updates from the SSA and reliable institutions will be fundamental.

For older adults, preparing ahead for these possible Social Security disability cuts will help them make more informed financial decisions.