No matter what your retirement plans look like, there’s a pretty good chance Social Security will be a crucial source of income for you. Savings can run out over time, and pensions and annuities don’t always adjust for inflation. Social Security is guaranteed to not only pay you a monthly benefit for life, but increase when inflation warrants it.
The problem is that Social Security is facing a major funding shortfall in the coming years. And if lawmakers do not intervene, retirees could be looking at substantial benefit cuts.
Here’s why Social Security benefits could shrink by $500 a month and how to prepare for that possibility, whether you’re currently retired or are still working.
Why Social Security benefits could soon get whittled down
Social Security is facing a revenue shortfall in the coming years. The Social Security Trustees now project that the program’s Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted in 2032.
By law, Social Security can’t pay more in benefits than it receives in revenue once that trust fund is out of money. But Social Security also expects its main revenue stream, payroll taxes, to shrink as baby boomers retire in droves.
As a result, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget says that come 2032, Social Security benefits could be subject to a 24% reduction. The group also says that average monthly benefit cuts could exceed $500 in 29 states.
Some states, of course, would see steeper cuts than others. Among the hardest hit could be:
- Connecticut ($556 average reduction)
- New Jersey ($554 average reduction)
- New Hampshire ($553 average reduction)
- Delaware ($549 average reduction)
Shopping for cheaper auto insurance? Enter your zip code here to get started.
Social Security won’t go away completely
One thing for current and future retirees to keep in mind is that Social Security will not go away once its Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is exhausted. From that point on, the program can still pay benefits based on the revenue it collects. However, cuts could be very dangerous for seniors who get most or all of their retirement income from Social Security.
The Senior Citizens League reports that 63% of retirees rely on Social Security for more than half their income, and 39% depend on it for all of their income. For people in either situation, a major reduction in benefits could lead to severe financial struggles.
Congress can act to prevent Social Security cuts
The good news is that even once Social Security’s Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund runs out of money, benefit cuts are not guaranteed. That’s because Congress can implement changes that allow Social Security to collect more revenue.
The problem is that lawmakers do not have a lot of time to act. While 2032 might seem like it’s far away, policy changes could take years to implement cleanly. The longer lawmakers sit on their hands, the more upheaval retirees and workers risk facing.
Congress could, for example, raise the Social Security tax rate. But a phased-in increase over several years might sting less for workers than a sudden large increase. This is why lawmakers need to take action quickly.
Current and future retirees need to be prepared
Social Security may not end up cutting benefits, but it’s best for current and future retirees to assume that their monthly checks will be reduced and plan accordingly. For current retirees, the best options may be to budget cautiously, reduce spending, and try to work in some capacity.
Seniors who can supplement their benefits with part-time wages may have an easier time coping if Social Security is cut. And retirees who work can also bank some of that money for the later stages of retirement, when part-time work may not be as feasible due to health and mobility challenges. If working isn’t possible, renting out a room is another way to generate extra income.
Current workers, meanwhile, can boost their retirement savings rate. Bringing a larger nest egg into retirement should make it easier to manage with smaller Social Security checks if benefits do end up getting slashed.
It’s also a good idea to bring income-generating investments into retirement. If Social Security is cut, having a portfolio of bonds and dividend stocks could help offset some of that missing money. And when interest rates are generous, CD ladders or even high-yield savings can be a source of income without taking on a lot of risk.
Bottom line
Social Security may be a financial lifeline once you retire. But it’s important to recognize that while benefits are not at risk of going away completely, significant cuts could be coming.
It’s important to brace for that possibility and take steps to stretch your retirement dollars further. That could mean following a budget, reducing discretionary spending, and finding creative ways to boost your income where you can.
Subscribe Today
Unlock the Best Banking Deals and Bonuses
From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter.
Author Details
Maurie Backman
Most retirees will make their Social Security claiming decision exactly once, which is why Maurie Backman has spent more than 20 years helping them understand it. She covers benefit calculations, COLA forecasts, and the policy changes that quietly reshape what retirees receive each month. Her work has appeared in Kiplinger, The Motley Fool, 24/7 Wall St., Bankrate, and U.S. News & World Report.
