Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

Social Security will become insolvent in 2035. That means that it won't be able to make full payments to those who've put money into it. This is only 16 years away. According to the report last week by Social Security's acting commissioner, Congress must "take action sooner rather than later to address these shortfalls." He's calling for a "broader range of solutions" so they'll have more time to "phase in changes while giving the public adequate time to prepare." One problem with Social Security is that fewer people are paying into the system while more and more retirees are depending upon it. The system is clearly being stretched, especially as Baby Boomers are retiring. Social Security needs a structural overhaul. And unless it happens soon, its failure will hurt those who depend on it most.