If you’ve been counting on Social Security to help fund your retirement, there’s a new reason to pay attention. The latest Social Security Trustees Report paints a more troubling picture of the program’s long-term finances than before, with its projected funding shortfall growing dramatically over the past year.
According to an analysis from the Bipartisan Policy Center, Social Security’s projected 75-year funding gap has climbed to roughly $30 trillion, up from about $26 trillion a year ago. While the increase doesn’t mean the program is about to run out of money tomorrow, it does underscore the growing urgency for lawmakers to address the problem before automatic benefit cuts become reality.
Why Social Security’s funding outlook got worse
Social Security isn’t going bankrupt. As long as workers continue paying payroll taxes, the program will continue collecting revenue and paying benefits. The problem is that those taxes won’t be enough to cover all of the benefits Social Security needs to pay.
This year’s Trustees Report showed a significantly weaker long-term outlook because the Social Security Administration lowered its projections for both fertility and immigration. Lower birth rates mean fewer workers paying into Social Security in the decades ahead. Reduced immigration also means fewer people entering the workforce and contributing payroll taxes.
At the same time, Americans are generally living longer and therefore collecting retirement benefits for more years than previous generations. The result is a widening gap between the money coming into the system and the benefits that are scheduled to go out.
The Social Security Trustees says its Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is set to run dry by the fourth quarter of 2032. If Congress doesn’t act before then, Social Security will only have revenue from incoming payroll taxes to pay benefits with, resulting in a potential 22% cut across the board.
What the funding gap could mean for you
Whether you’re already collecting Social Security or still years away from retirement, the growing funding gap is worth paying attention to, since it could lead to smaller benefits. And it could have an impact on your wages or retirement plans if you’re still working.
No one knows exactly how Congress will address the issue of Social Security’s finances. Lawmakers could increase payroll taxes, raise full retirement age for younger workers, adjust benefits for higher-income retirees, or adopt some combination of those changes.
The good news is that Congress has never allowed Social Security to cut benefits in the past. So there’s a good chance they’ll be able to come to the rescue this time around as well. But it’s a good idea to prepare for potential cuts in case they happen.
If you’re still working, now’s a good time to build a retirement plan that doesn’t rely too heavily on Social Security. That could mean contributing more to a 401(k) or IRA and choosing strategic investments that can not only grow your savings, but continue to pay you on a regular basis once retirement arrives.
Dividend stocks and ETFs could easily fit the bill here. But it’s also smart to consult a financial advisor to see what they recommend for your specific financial situation.
If you’re already retired, you may want to consider reducing expenses and banking more savings to prepare for potential Social Security cuts. Going back to work could also help you accumulate more savings and serve as additional income if you end up needing it.
The good news is that there’s still time for Congress to act before automatic Social Security cuts take effect. But each year that passes without reform makes the available options more difficult and potentially more disruptive.
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