In a move that’s raising eyebrows across Washington and beyond, the Trump administration has appointed Frank Bisignano as the first-ever Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – while he continues to serve as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA). Announced on October 7, 2025, this unprecedented dual leadership arrangement brings together two of the largest and most public-facing federal agencies under a single executive, at a time when both are facing significant operational headwinds and a rapidly changing policy landscape.
According to Kiplinger, the new CEO role is designed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the IRS and spearhead efforts to modernize the nation’s tax system. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is also acting as IRS Commissioner, stated, “The IRS and SSA – two of the most public-facing and broadly impactful federal agencies – also share many of the same technological and customer service goals. This makes Mr. Bisignano a natural choice for this role.”
Bisignano, a former chairman and CEO of Fiserv, a global fintech and payments company, now finds himself at the helm of agencies that collectively handle trillions of dollars and serve tens of millions of Americans. His private-sector experience is being touted by supporters as an asset that could accelerate modernization at both the IRS and SSA. However, the appointment also comes at a time of considerable upheaval in both agencies, leaving many observers wondering whether this consolidation of power will bring much-needed stability or further complicate matters.
The challenges are daunting. Both the IRS and SSA are grappling with aging technology systems, historic staff reductions, and mounting demands for improved customer service. The IRS, which once boasted a workforce of more than 100,000, has seen its staff slashed by roughly 25% in 2025 alone. Supplemental funding from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is expected to sustain IRS operations only briefly during the ongoing government shutdown. With fewer employees, taxpayers may face slower response times, longer processing delays, and a diminished tax enforcement footprint during the critical 2026 tax season, as reported by Kiplinger.
The SSA, meanwhile, has lost about 7,000 employees since January 2025, leaving just 45,000 to 50,000 staff to manage Social Security benefits for over 68 million Americans. That’s roughly one employee per 1,500 beneficiaries—a workload that strains even the most efficient systems. Despite efforts to keep services running during the government shutdown, the SSA faces pressure to process claims, hearings, and service requests with a leaner crew. Adding to the uncertainty, the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency has targeted 47 local SSA field offices for closure this year, though the SSA insists that no local offices have been permanently shuttered as of October 7.
Leadership instability has only added to the turmoil. Since President Trump began his second term in January 2025, the IRS has cycled through seven confirmed or acting commissioners, with former Commissioner Billy Long dismissed shortly after his confirmation. Secretary Bessent has since stepped in to fill the void, but the revolving door at the top has coincided with layoffs, budget cuts, legal challenges, and the rollout of major tax reforms included in the massive GOP tax and spending bill signed into law in July.
One of the most visible changes for ordinary Americans is the Treasury’s decision to phase out paper checks for all federal payments, a process that began on September 30, 2025. Social Security benefits and IRS tax refunds will now be issued electronically. For many beneficiaries, especially older adults, this shift could mean faster payments and fewer lost or stolen checks. However, it also presents challenges for the roughly 390,000 Americans—about 0.6% of all Social Security recipients—who still relied on paper checks as of September, according to data from the SSA cited by FOX Business.
Beneficiaries can enroll in direct deposit through the My Social Security platform, by phone via SSA or Treasury electronic payment centers, or in person at their financial institution. Those without bank accounts can receive payments on Direct Express debit cards. Yet, for those lacking reliable internet access or a bank account, the transition may be anything but seamless. The SSA has tried to ease the process, but some worry that vulnerable populations could fall through the cracks.
In a related twist, a quirk in the 2025 calendar means some Social Security recipients will receive two Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in October. SSI payments, which support older adults and disabled individuals with little or no income, are ordinarily made on the first of each month. However, when the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payments are pushed to the last business day of the preceding month. This year, the first SSI payment was made on October 1 for October’s benefits, and a second payment will go out on Friday, October 31 for November’s benefits. It’s not a bonus payment—just a scheduling oddity to ensure beneficiaries aren’t left waiting for funds at the start of the month, as explained by FOX Business.
As these operational changes ripple through the system, legal disputes continue to swirl around IRS data sharing with agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Privacy advocates and lawmakers have raised concerns about taxpayer data and the boundaries of interagency cooperation, adding another layer of complexity to Bisignano’s already formidable to-do list.
The creation of a CEO position at the IRS—and Bisignano’s dual leadership—hasn’t been without controversy. Notably, the role does not require U.S. Senate confirmation, a break from tradition for such a high-profile federal appointment. Richard Neal, ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, minced no words in his criticism: “Putting Commissioner Bisignano in charge of the IRS while he simultaneously oversees a chaotic and destructive operation at Social Security makes it clear that in Trump’s Washington, loyalty is rewarded, and competence is irrelevant.”
Supporters of the move argue that combining leadership could streamline modernization efforts and help both agencies adapt to new realities, especially as the IRS implements sweeping changes from the 2025 GOP tax and spending bill. Detractors, however, warn that concentrating so much power in one individual risks blurring the distinct missions of each agency and could undermine accountability.
For millions of Americans, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The ability to receive timely tax refunds, navigate new tax law changes, and access Social Security benefits hinges on the effective functioning of these agencies. With Bisignano now at the helm of both, all eyes will be watching to see whether this bold experiment in federal management delivers the promised improvements—or simply adds to the chaos.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the coming months will be a test of leadership, adaptability, and the resilience of America’s most essential public services.
