An initiative of the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, called Project 2025, has generated a considerable amount of debates on social networks. This plan details a series of proposals that seek to transform the federal government into the next conservative administration, of course, in the hypothetical event that Donald Trump reaches the White House.
Among the most frequently asked questions are those related to the possible plans of this project for recipients of social benefits, such as veterans, and Social Security: in the debate are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and retiree benefits.
Are Social Security Benefits at Risk? What Will Happen in 2025
There are several programs within the Social Security Administration (SSA), among which are those mentioned, that is, SSI, SSDI, retirements, and also part of the funds that go to Medicare (from taxes to Social Security).
Despite the online claims, the 2025 Project does not propose to eliminate Social Security benefits, but we should not sing victory just yet.
In fact, The Heritage Foundation, manager of this great conservative proposal, has suggested changes such as increasing the retirement age. One of the co-authors of the project has supported the privatization of Social Security in the past. These proposals have generated concern and speculation among current and future beneficiaries.
Veterans’ Benefits Also on the Razor’s Edge
One of the most pressing questions is whether the 2025 Project will cut veterans’ benefits. This plan recommends speeding up the process of reviewing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability ratings and considering setting limits on applications for disability benefits. Although this could result in a reduction in current benefits, a total cut is not on the cards.
The “Leadership Mandate: a Conservative promise” guide, which is in the text of the 2025 Project, includes a chapter written by Brooks Tucker, former VA chief of staff during the Trump administration. Tucker notes that the Veterans Affairs Disability Rating Scale (VASRD) has assigned disability ratings to a growing number of health conditions, some of which have little or no relationship to military service.
Project 2025 suggests that the next administration should explore ways to expedite VASRD reviews with the authorization of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This would allow for significant cost savings from reviewing disability qualifications for future claims, while preserving them in whole or in part for current applicants. In the short term, some medical conditions could receive different ratings in the future, impacting the disability benefits veterans may receive.
Not… But Yes? An Uncertain Position
A spokesman for Project 2025 has told press media that the idea is not necessarily to cut current benefits under any circumstances, but acknowledged that some non-permanent medical conditions could justify a different qualification for future veterans, while others would maintain their current qualification level.
In short, there is no conclusive vision on how the benefits of retirees, SSDI, SSI, and veterans will be affected in case Trump takes Project 2025 as his own and applies it in its entirety in a potential government, but the cards are on the table and it remains to be seen what the move of the future federal government will be.
