Basic Facts about Social Security

Social Security’s Financial Condition
According to the Congressional Budget Office, Social Security is secure and able to pay full benefits for nearly 50 years. However, beginning in 2052, it will experience a shortfall and only be able to pay 78 percent of promised benefits. (The Social Security Administration, using slightly different economic assumptions, projects that Social Security is secure until 2041 and able to pay 74 percent of benefits after that.)

Why Social Security is Important
Social Security has provided independence for generations of Americans. Currently, the program pays retirement benefits to about 48 million people, including about 15 million disabled workers, widows, and children. For more information about who Social Security helps and how, click here.

Social Security by the Numbers