Social Security
Financial sustainability and other topics related to the Social Security program.
According to the Social Security trustees, Social Security’s combined trust fund reserves are projected to become depleted in 2034, potentially leading to a forced 20+ percent cut in payable benefits unless legislative changes are adopted to prevent it. What might those changes look like? How would you address the solvency issue?
Take the Challenge: In the Academy’s Social Security Challenge, develop your own personal reform approach by traveling through a virtual town where you’ll learn residents’ different views on reform ideas and information about their impacts, and puzzle through choices.
Social Security Resources
Issue Brief
Updated Issue Brief – Reforming Social Security Sooner Rather Than Later
This 2026 revision of a 2023 issue brief includes updated projections of the Social Security’s combined trust fund reserves which are projected be depleted around 2034. At that time, its income…
Issue Brief
The Relationship Between Social Security and Federal Government Deficits and Debt
A new issue brief, The Relationship Between Social Security and Federal Government Deficits and Debt, from the Academy’s Social Security Committee brings clarity to the confusion around the…
Issue Brief
Significance of the Social Security Trust Fund
Social Security’s assets are held in two trust funds invested in U.S. Treasury securities, which help reduce publicly held federal debt. As the funds are drawn down, publicly held debt will need to…
Topics: Social Security
Issue Brief
Social Security and The Financially Disadvantaged
While Social Security has been instrumental in reducing poverty among older Americans, approximately 9% of retirees still remain in poverty and rely on Social Security for most or all their income….
Issue Brief
An Actuarial Perspective on the 2024 Social Security Trustees Report
The Social Security Committee released an issue brief, An Actuarial Perspective on the 2024 Social Security Trustees Report. This detailed brief provides perspective on the latest detailed annual…
Issue Brief
Updated Monograph Examines Individual Equity and Social Adequacy in Social Security Reforms
The Social Security Committee released an updated monograph and issue brief on individual equity and social adequacy as those principles apply to Social Security reform options. The monograph and…
Issue Brief
Updated Issue Brief Examines Individual Equity and Social Adequacy in Social Security Reforms
The Social Security Committee released an updated monograph and issue brief on individual equity and social adequacy as those principles apply to Social Security reform options. The monograph and…
Topics: Social Security
Issue Brief
Issue Brief: Reforming Social Security Sooner Rather Than Later
Social Security’s combined trust fund reserves are projected to become depleted around 2034,1 at which time its income would be able to pay only 80% of the benefits scheduled for its 80 million…
Issue Brief
Issue Brief on Social Security Assumptions
The Social Security Committee released an issue brief, Assumptions Used to Evaluate Social Security’s Financial Condition. The issue brief describes the assumptions that must be made in any actuarial…
Issue Brief