The Social Security Administration is offering 14 percent of its workforce the option of retiring early from the agency, Federal Times reports.

Nearly 9,000 employees received the notification Aug. 6 and this represents yet another workforce cut for the agency, as 4,500 employees left SSA in 2011 and another 650 left during the first three months of 2012.

According to the story, Sen. Tom Harkin’s (D-Iowa) office believes the agency would have to furlough its entire workforce for close to six weeks if sequestration takes effect in January.

An estimated $109 billion in sequestration cuts could start Jan. 2 if Congress does not act.

Stephen Losey reports that SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue has told lawmakers he may have to cut between 2,500 and 3,000 employees this year, and another 2,000 or more in fiscal 2013.