"Impending Shortfall: Social Security Trust Fund May Deplete Sooner Due to Tax and Benefit Adjustments"

A closed entrance to the Social Security Administration headquarters sits empty in Woodlawn, Md., on March 20, 2025. Wesley Lapointe/The Washington Post via Getty Images By Dennis W. Jansen, Texas A&M University Social Security, a cornerstone of federal assistance, supported 67 million Americans in 2023, primarily seniors. Yet, projections suggest its trust funds may deplete by 2035. Recent legislative changes exacerbate this crisis, risking a 21% benefit reduction for future retirees. Without decisive reforms, the program’s sustainability remains perilous, warranting urgent attention.