If you have a my Social Security account, you may have seen an email from Commissioner Frank Bisignano in your inbox over the weekend before Election Day.
The message praised the agency’s progress and said it was “transforming into a model of excellence” under President Donald Trump. Because it went to online account holders just days before the November 3 midterms, several legal experts have asked whether it crossed a line under the Hatch Act, the law that limits political activity by federal officials. Here’s what happened, and what it does and doesn’t mean for your benefits.
What the email said
According to The Washington Post, which reviewed copies, the emails were sent on Friday and Saturday before the election to people with online Social Security accounts. More than 100 million people have one.
In the message, Bisignano said the agency is “transforming into a model of excellence” under President Trump and that it “meets and exceeds customer expectations for fast, accurate, and secure service.” Some recipients complained online that it read like a political message.
What is the Hatch Act?
The Hatch Act is a federal law that bars executive branch employees from using their official positions to influence elections. It’s meant to keep government agencies, and the services people rely on, out of party politics.
What experts are saying
According to The New York Times, several legal experts said the timing and content of the email appeared to raise Hatch Act concerns:
- Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said the email worked more like propaganda than a public-service announcement.
- Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor and former White House ethics lawyer, said it seemed aimed at persuading people that the President was doing a good job, and called it inappropriate.
The other side
SSA had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting. Bisignano has argued publicly that the agency’s service has improved sharply. SSA reported shorter phone waits and a smaller disability backlog in fiscal 2026. Supporters see the email as an update on those results.
Whether the Hatch Act was actually broken would be for the Office of Special Counsel, which enforces the law, to decide if a complaint is filed. So far, these are concerns raised by experts, not findings.
Does any of this affect your benefits?
No. Your Social Security payments, the 3.6% COLA for 2027 and your account are not affected by the email or the debate around it.
Was the email real, or a scam?
Good question to ask, because scammers often copy official messages. Reports say this email was genuine. But as a rule:
- Don’t click links in emails claiming to be from SSA. Type ssa.gov/myaccount into your browser instead.
- SSA will never ask you to pay a fee, give your password, or “verify” your Social Security number by email.
- If you’re unsure about a message, report it at ssa.gov/scam.
If you don’t want emails
You can review your communication preferences in your my Social Security account settings. Keep in mind that important notices, like your COLA notice, may also come through the account’s Message Center.
Sources: Benzinga (November 2, 2026), Yahoo News (November 3, 2026) and SSA FY 2026 Progress and Accomplishments.
Jackson is a dedicated USA news writer, who covers important topics such as Social Security payment schedules, COLA increases, IRS tax refunds, stimulus payment announcements, Medicare eligibility, retirement benefits, and changes to state driving laws. His goal is to provide clear, informative, and easy-to-follow articles that help retirees, seniors, taxpayers, and American families stay informed.