WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration is preparing to lay off at least 7,000 people from its workforce of 60,000, according to a person familiar with the agency’s plans who is not authorized to speak publicly. The workforce reduction, according to a second person who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, could be as high as 50%.

The first round of March’s Social Security payments, worth up to $5,108 for the highest-income earners who retire at age 70, will go out to the final group of retirees in nine days. Here is all you need to know about this month’s Social Security payments.

In an unexpected turn, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a change in the payment schedule for March, affecting beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.