I’ll admit—I didn’t read all of SSA’s modernization plans. After going through the 2024 Digital Modernization Strategy, I see that much of what I think is needed is already in progress. The strategy began during President Trump’s first term with the 2017 IT Modernization Plan and has continued through President Biden’s tenure with the 2024 Digital Modernization Strategy. That kind of continuity is rare—and it shows how serious and grounded this effort has been.

The difference in approach between SSA’s careful modernization path and what DOGE appears to be doing is striking. This isn’t just about code—it’s about keeping benefits flowing to tens of millions of Americans, every month, without fail.

Trying to rip out and replace the system in a matter of months misses the reality of the task. This is like modernizing a plane while it’s still flying. You can’t just swap everything out and hope it works. It has to be staged. It has to be safe.

This isn’t a unique challenge. It’s not that different from a major retailer replacing their merchandising or payment system. You still need to run the business while you implement the new one.

SSA’s mission can’t be paused. That means modernization has to happen in motion. That’s not bureaucracy. That’s basic operational discipline—and it’s already well underway.