If you're paying attention to the news, you've probably come across story after story on the health of Social Security. And depending on the actuarial assumptions used and the political slant, Social Security has been described as everything from a program in need of some adjustments to one in crisis requiring immediate, drastic reform.
Obviously, the underlying assumptions used can affect one's perception of the solvency of Social Security, but it's clear some action needs to be taken. However, even experts disagree on the best remedy. So let's take a look at what we do know.
Just the facts
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), approximately 70 million Americans currently collect some sort of Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefit. Social Security is largely a pay-as-you-go system, with today's workers (and employers) paying the benefits for today's retirees.
How much do today's workers pay? The first $160,200 (in 2023) of an individual's annual wages is subject to a Social Security payroll tax, with half paid by the employee and half by the employer (self-employed individuals pay all of it). Payroll taxes collected are put into the Social Security trust funds and invested in securities guaranteed by the federal government. The funds are then used to pay out current benefits.
The amount of your retirement benefit is based on your average earnings over your working career.
Your age at the time you start receiving benefits also affects your benefit amount. You can begin receiving Social Security benefits before your full retirement age, as early as age 62. However, if you retire early, your Social Security benefit will be less than if you had waited until your full retirement age to begin receiving benefits. Specifically, your retirement benefit will be reduced by 5/9ths of 1% for every month between your retirement date and your full retirement age, up to 36 months, then by 5/12ths of 1% thereafter.
For example, if your full retirement age is 67, you'll receive about 30% less if you retire at age 62 than if you wait until age 67 to retire. This reduction is permanent — you won't be eligible for a benefit increase once you reach full retirement age.
Demographic trends
Even those on opposite sides of the political spectrum can agree that demographic factors are exacerbating Social Security's problems — namely, the number of retirees is increasing and the birth rate is decreasing. This means that, over time, fewer workers will have to support more retirees.
According to the SSA, Social Security is already paying out more money than it takes in. However, by drawing on the Social Security trust fund (OASI), the SSA estimates that Social Security should be able to pay 100% of scheduled benefits until fund reserves are depleted in 2034.
Once the trust fund reserves are depleted, payroll tax revenue alone should still be sufficient to pay about 77% of scheduled benefits. So at that time, if no changes are made, beneficiaries may receive a benefit that is about 23% less than expected.
Possible fixes
While no one can say for sure what will happen (and the political process is sure to be contentious), here are some solutions that have been proposed to help keep Social Security solvent for many years to come:
- Allow individuals to invest some of their current Social Security taxes in "personal retirement accounts"
- Raise the current payroll tax
- Raise the current ceiling on wages currently subject to the payroll tax
- Raise the retirement age beyond age 67
- Reduce future benefits
- Change the benefit formula that is used to calculate benefits
- Change how the annual cost-of-living adjustment for benefits is calculated
Uncertain outcome
Progress on addressing Social Security's financial challenges has been slow. However, the SSA continues to urge all parties to address the issue sooner rather than later, to allow for a gradual phasing in of any necessary changes.
Although debate will continue on this polarizing topic, there are no easy answers, and the final outcome for this decades-old program is still uncertain.
In the meantime, what can you do?
The financial outlook for Social Security depends on a number of demographic and economic assumptions that can change over time, so any action that might be taken and who might be affected are still unclear.
But no matter what the future holds for Social Security, your financial future is still in your hands. Focus on saving as much for retirement as possible, and consider various income scenarios when planning for retirement.
It's also important to understand your benefits and what you can expect to receive from Social Security based on current law. You can find this information on your Social Security Statement, which you can access online at the Social Security website, ssa.gov, by signing up for a my Social Security account.
Your statement contains a detailed record of your earnings, as well as estimates of retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. If you're not registered for an online account and are not yet receiving benefits, you'll receive a statement in the mail every year, starting at age 60.
