Social Security insolvency
An Early 2026 Update on Congressional Activity on Social Security’s Insolvency Problem
Despite the popular notion that congressional attention to Social Security’s looming insolvency should be a top priority, not much has been happening on that front so far. Yes, there are a number of competing priorities, not the least of which…
Musings on Social Security Through the Years
As 2025 winds to a close and we reflect on the somewhat steady stream of commentary about Social Security’s financial problems and its imminent insolvency, now seems a good time to take a breath and reflect on history. We’ve often…
Social Security Insolvency and Why It’s a Concern for All
The gloom surrounding Social Security’s financial situation — specifically, the steadily depleting reserves and the projected 20% to 25% benefit reduction facing beneficiaries as early as 6 years from now — is a cause for alarm among America’s seniors. But,…
A Call for Public Trustees to Help Guide Social Security Reform
The Social Security trustees oversee the financial operations of the Social Security trust funds and report annually to Congress on their financial and actuarial status. They provide detailed information on the solvency of these funds, which is crucial for informing policymakers and…
The Cost of Delaying Social Security Reform
The Social Security trustees have been sounding the alarm for decades. The program’s tax revenue has been insufficient to fully fund benefit payments since 2011, requiring reliance on other income streams (income tax on benefits and interest on reserves) to…
Dealing with Concerns About Social Security’s Durability
One of the more persistent rumors circulating in many circles these days is that Social Security is on a pathway to disappearance. Of course, most responsible bloggers and journalists understand that the program, as designed, cannot go away as long…
Friday Wrap-Up: More Thoughts on the Nagging Insolvency Problem
Citing examples of congressional actions exacerbating Social Security’s financial troubles (think WEP/GPO repeal, for instance), Forbes Senior Contributor Howard Gleckman offers a recap of corrective measures being advanced by policy experts. As Gleckman explains, many of the measures differ considerably…
Social Security Reform…Looking Into the Crystal Ball
As we’ve been predicting, interest in addressing Social Security’s steadily unfolding financial disaster is picking up quickly. In fact, a recent comment by Newsmax labeled Social Security a “central battlefield” in the midterm election cycle. We’re seeing many thought leaders…
How Recent Congressional Moves Have Impacted Social Security’s Insolvency Timeline
The closer we get to the end, the sharper the pencils are that write the target dates for insolvency. In a Yahoo!Finance post yesterday by T. Woods, for example, cites the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill’s tax-related provisions…
An Refresher on the March Toward Social Security Insolvency
The published projections vary a bit. The most recent Social Security Trustees Report sets 2033 as the year when trust fund reserves will be fully depleted, but the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) sees late 2032 as the…