Social Security Is Facing a Financial Crisis, and Congress May Be Too Late to Act
Key PointsSocial Security has been running at a deficit since 2010, paying out more in annual benefits than it receives in wage tax revenue.
Social Security, a crucial U.S. social program, currently faces a financial crisis that may be difficult for Congress to address in time. For many decades, the program operated smoothly, but it has reached a critical juncture unlike any since the early 1980s. From the mid-1980s to 2009, Social Security generated more revenue through wage taxes than it disbursed in benefits, accumulating a surplus (in a bookkeeping sense) in the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund.
This surplus was set aside to be utilized when outflows surpassed inflows. However, since 2010, the program has been paying out more in benefits than it receives in taxes. The current outlook suggests that the Trust Fund will be depleted by the end of 2032 at the projected depletion rate. Once this occurs, barring any legislative changes, the program will only have the current wage taxes to fund its outlays.
This will likely result in retirees and other beneficiaries receiving less than the full benefits they are entitled to.
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