Commonwealth Policy Center

A report by the federal government revealed that the social security trust fund will be depleted by the year 2034. That’s only 13 years from now. As it is, social security makes payments to about 65 million people. An estimated 175 million people paid into social security last year. This means that less than one in three people are paying in for every recipient. Critics contend that people shouldn’t be forced to give their money to the government so the government can give it back to them in their retirement years. After all, the government hasn’t invested it wisely. Nor has it proven itself a good steward of private resources—resources that individuals have more incentive to better manage for themselves and their families. If major changes aren’t made to social security, it is unlikely the government will be able to keep its promise to future retirees.