Page 1 - Retiree News Spring 2025

SPRING 2025
etiree etiree R R etiree etiree NEWScseany.org R RMary E. Sullivan, President
Proposed federal cuts could have chilling effect on retirees
Proposed federal cuts could
have a devastating effect on
public services, including for
millions of retirees who rely on
public programs to have a dignified
retirement.
These proposed cuts include
Social Security. The Trump
administration, along with Elon
Musk and his Department of
Government Efficiency (DOGE),
have ordered the closing of Social
Security Administration (SSA)
offices and limited the services
that retirees can access from their
phones. Many retirees are unable
to easily visit an office in person
or lack internet access, so cuts
to phone services is an attack on
retirees,
As this edition went to press,
the SSA has confirmed in media
reports that a field office in White
Plains that serves nearly 200,000
recipients will close, but the fate of
other offices is unclear.
Musk, who referred to Social
Security as ‘the greatest Ponzi
scheme of all time,’ has also tried
to access private Social Security
data. A federal judge granted a
temporary restraining order to
stop the access.
Even with limited successes,
the attacks on our retirement
security have never been more
blatant. Staffing at the agency is
already at an all-time low, and the
administration wants further cuts.
Millions of retirees rely on Social
Security to sustain a living.
Also at risk are cuts to Medicaid
and other health programs that
will put at risk essential state and
local programs that retirees rely
on. Many of these programs are
administered by CSEA members.
The New York State Budget
is heavily dependent on federal
funding; about 36% of the state
budget stems from the federal
government. This money
supports essential programs
such as Medicaid, education,
transportation and much more.
Each year, New York receives
more than $90 billion in federal
aid, helping to fund services that
millions of New Yorkers rely on.
As this edition went to press,
the New York State Budget, which
was due April 1, was still being
finalized. Overall, indications were
that the state is fiscally sound with
a balanced budget.
This could change dramatically
if the rhetoric coming out of
Washington D.C. becomes a reality.
Any reductions to federal
funding will have a direct trickle-
down effect on New York state.
Massive cuts, as being discussed
by the Trump administration and
Congress, would force our state
to cut services, increase taxes, or
find alternative revenue sources to
fill the gap. These cuts would also
affect local governments, putting
massive strain on their local
budgets and services.
The White House and Congress
are considering cuts of up to 30%
or even 40% of all federal funding.
Specifically, the proposed
budget includes at least $880
billion in cuts to health care
spending, encompassing Medicaid,
and at least $330 billion in cuts
to education funding. These
reductions threaten the financial
stability of hospitals and schools
across New York, one of the largest
Medicaid recipients in the country.
“We continue to be very
troubled by proposals coming
from Washington, D.C. to cut
federal funding for programs that
CSEA members provide across
the state,” said CSEA President
Mary E. Sullivan. “These proposed
federal budget cuts would severely
affect public services and the job
security of our union members.”
There are many people who
believe these cuts to government
will help bring down the national
deficit. However, the plans being
put forth would actually increase
the deficit a significant amount.
From left, CSEA Metropolitan New York Retirees Local 910 Vice President
Kim Gore, Local 910 President Roslyn Taylor and Local 910 activist Althea
Green joined our union family at a rally and march in Lower Manhattan
calling for no cuts to working people to fund billionaire tax breaks. At
the federal level, billions in cuts to Medicaid and other social services
threatens vital services and essential public and private sector jobs.
How is this possible? Congress
and the Trump Admistration are
intent on making permanent the
2017 Trump Tax Law. This would
provide the wealthiest Americans
with $4.5 Trillion in tax cuts. The
tax breaks for billionaries is being
offset by the massive gutting of the
federal government. It is a one two
punch against working people of
this country.
CSEA is actively pushing against
these efforts to cut federal funding.
Members are urged to join the fight
to protect vital services that New
Yorkers need.
This effort will be ongoing.
CSEA will be working with our
international union, AFSCME,
and other unions and alled
organizations.