Social security, the federal program that nearly 67 million Americans count on to fund their income in retirement, is running out — fast.
Ten thousand Baby Boomers retire every day, and by 2033, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will run dry, CNBC reported. Social Security won’t disappear completely, but some retirees will likely get the short end of the stick.
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Workers will continue to pay Social Security payroll taxes and fund the program, but with no action from lawmakers, roughly 77% of promised benefits would be payable if the fund empties, per the outlet.
That means a bleak outlook for many Americans. On average, Americans have saved only 78% of the amount they’ll need in retirement, and 52% of U.S. households may not be able to pay for essential expenses in retirement, according to a 2023 Fidelity report.
Although Congress is expected to address the issue, “there are going to be losers,” David Blanchett, head of retirement research at PGIM, the asset management arm of Prudential Financial, told CNBC.
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And who will those “losers” be? Probably no one who’s already in retirement or close to it.
“But I do believe younger Americans — if you’re maybe in your 40s — should count on a lower benefit,” Blanchett warned.
