General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I Love Social Security [View all]dkf
(37,305 posts)Do you understand the trust fund is the excess contributions over payments that are invested in treasury bonds?
So now that the payroll tax doesn't cover benefits the trust fund uses its interest payments or bond sales to cover the shortfall. But as benefits increase and the fund starts selling more of its treasuries to cover what payroll taxes don't, it is projected that in 2033 all the bonds and their interest will be gone from the trust fund.
Upon that day benefits promised will exceed expected revenue by 75%.
So what do you do?
If you cut payments to the amount the fica tax collects then yes there is no further impact on the deficit, but a 25% decrease in benefits is significant!
If you believe we should cover that difference out of the general funds then you believe SS will directly contribute to the deficit and debt.
Of course there's the third option...and you've fallen for Manny's best case scenario featuring unemployment under 5%. Good luck with that one.