What happens to Social Security after 2035?

By 2035, if Congress doesn't act, Social Security's trust funds are projected to run out, meaning ongoing payroll taxes will only cover about 80-84% of scheduled benefits, leading to an automatic 16-20% cut unless lawmakers increase revenue (like raising taxes/full retirement age) or reduce costs (like cutting benefits). It won't disappear, but benefits will likely decrease, impacting retirees, people with disabilities, and their families, with potential poverty increases if no reforms happen.

Are seniors on Social Security getting a raise in 2025?

Yes, Social Security recipients received a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, effective January 2025, increasing average benefits by about $48 monthly; this was announced in late 2024, with the next COLA for 2026 announced in October 2025. The 2025 increase followed a larger boost in 2024, reflecting lower inflation, and notifications for the 2025 raise were sent out in late 2024. 

What will replace Social Security benefits?

In the proposals presented to the Commission, the use of retirement bonds--and annuities based on bond accumulations- would also replace the entire benefit structure of Social Security for the future.

What will Social Security be like in 2040?

The current Social Security program is not a strict pay-as-you-go program because a sizable trust fund exists. Projections indicate, however, that the trust fund will be exhausted in 2040, and the low worker-to-beneficiary ratio will present a significant challenge to policymakers.

Will Social Security benefits ever go away?

No, Social Security benefits don't exactly "expire" as long as you live, but the program faces long-term funding shortfalls, meaning future benefits might be reduced if Congress doesn't act, with projections suggesting the trust funds could be depleted in the mid-2030s, after which continuing taxes would fund about 80% of scheduled benefits. Your eligibility for benefits depends on earning enough work credits, but once you qualify, payments generally continue for life, ending only with your death, though disability benefits are reviewed for continuing medical eligibility. 

What Happens If Social Security Runs Out in 2035?

What is the highest Social Security check anyone can get?

The maximum Social Security benefit varies by retirement age, with the highest possible monthly amount in 2026 being around $5,181 if you wait until age 70, while claiming at Full Retirement Age (FRA) yields about $4,152, and claiming at age 62 results in approximately $2,969. To get the maximum, you must have earned the taxable maximum for at least 35 years, had significant earnings above the annual wage base ($184,500 in 2026), and delayed claiming benefits past your FRA. 

Is there a bill in Congress to eliminate the windfall elimination provision?

What is the Social Security Fairness Act (Act) and who does it help? The Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025. The Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

How much Social Security will you get if you make $60,000 a year?

If you consistently earn around $60,000 annually over your career, you can expect a monthly Social Security benefit of roughly $2,100 to $2,300 at your full retirement age (FRA), but the exact amount varies by your birth year and claiming age; for instance, at FRA, it's around $2,311 based on 2025 bend points, while claiming at 62 yields less and claiming at 70 yields more, with an official estimate available on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. 

How much money will I need when I retire in 2050?

If Social Security provides $43,800 per year, our hypothetical person would need to cover the remaining $107,400 of annual expenses from personal savings. Adjusting the 25x rule for this lower target to account for Social Security, the total retirement savings goal could drop to approximately $2.69 million by 2050.

How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?

To get $3,000 a month from Social Security, you generally need a high lifetime income, averaging around $9,000+ monthly over your best 35 years, and ideally wait until at least your full retirement age (FRA), or even age 70, for maximum benefits, as claiming early reduces payments significantly; increasing high-earning years by working longer or in higher-paying jobs are the main strategies to reach this goal. 

Why are Americans getting a $4800 Social Security check today?

Americans are set to receive a Social Security check worth up to $4,800 today, but not all seniors are happy about the increase in monthly payments. Social Security benefits grew by 3.2 percent this year, in accordance with this year's calculated cost of living adjustment (COLA).

What does Suze Orman say about when to take Social Security?

Suze Orman strongly advises waiting as long as possible to claim Social Security, ideally until age 70, to maximize your monthly benefit, explaining that delaying provides a significant guaranteed annual increase (around 8%) and offers crucial inflation protection for a longer retirement. While some suggest claiming at 62 and investing the money, Orman counters that most people don't invest it and end up with less income long-term, emphasizing that a higher monthly check with cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) is a better, more secure financial tool, especially for the surviving spouse. 

At what age can you collect 100% of your Social Security?

You get 100% of your Social Security benefit at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, while for those born earlier, it gradually increases from 66 (for those born 1943-1954) up to age 67, with specific ages like 66 and 8 months for 1958 or 66 and 10 months for 1959, but delaying past FRA increases your monthly payment up to age 70. 

Will Social Security recipients get a 2.8% benefits increase in 2026?

Yes, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, boosting benefits for nearly 71 million people starting in January, with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients seeing their increase in late December 2025. On average, this means about $56 more per month for retired workers, bringing the average to around $2,071, as announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in October 2025. 

Can I retire on $500,000 plus Social Security?

Yes, you can retire on $500k plus Social Security, but it depends heavily on your lifestyle, location, health, and when you start drawing Social Security; it's feasible for a modest retirement, especially with a paid-off home and low expenses, but requires careful budgeting, potentially delaying Social Security, and possibly working longer to supplement income or cover healthcare costs. Aim to cover annual expenses (around 80% of pre-retirement income) with your total resources, using strategies like the 4% rule for your savings and a financial advisor to plan. 

How many Americans have $500,000 in retirement savings?

Only a small percentage of Americans have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, with recent data (late 2025/early 2026) suggesting around 7% to 9% of households have reached this milestone, though this varies by source and can be skewed by high-income earners or home equity. For instance, one study showed only 4% of all households had $500k-$999k, and 3.1% had $1M+. 

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

What is the highest payout on Social Security?

The maximum Social Security payment depends on your retirement age, with the highest benefit in 2026 being about $5,181 monthly if you wait until age 70, while at Full Retirement Age (FRA) it's around $4,152, and at age 62, it's about $2,969. To qualify for these maximums, you must have earned the taxable maximum income (around $184,500 in 2026) for at least 35 years, The Motley Fool. 

What to do when Social Security is not enough to live on?

When Social Security isn't enough, supplement your income by exploring other government programs like SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid, working part-time, using retirement savings (401k, IRA), considering annuities for guaranteed income, delaying benefits to increase payments, and seeking help from non-profits like the National Council on Aging (NCOA) BenefitsCheckUp tool. 

Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare Part B?

Costs for Part B (Medical Insurance)

$185 each month ($202.90 in 2026) (or higher depending on your income). The amount can change each year. You'll pay the premium each month, even if you don't get any Part B-covered services.

Who is entitled to death benefits in Social Security?

Social Security death benefits (survivor benefits) go to eligible family members, primarily the spouse, ex-spouse, children, or dependent parents of a worker who paid Social Security taxes. Eligibility depends on the survivor's age and relationship to the deceased, with spouses potentially receiving a monthly payment (up to 100% of the worker's benefit) or a one-time $255 lump sum, while children and dependent parents also qualify for monthly support. 

What is the new $6000 tax deduction for seniors?

Joint filers over 65 will be able to deduct up to $46,700 from their 2025 return. The standard deduction has been super-sized for seniors. Thanks to provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, taxpayers 65 and older can claim an additional $6,000 without itemizing their deductions.

What is going on with the Windfall Elimination Act?

The Act repealed two federal laws—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision—which can reduce Social Security benefits when someone receives a pension for work on which they did not pay Social Security taxes.

Are seniors receiving extra money in 2025?

Yes, seniors are receiving extra money in 2025, primarily through a 2.8% Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for benefits starting January 2026 (based on late 2025 announcements) and a new, temporary $6,000 senior tax deduction (for 2025-2028 tax years) on federal returns, providing significant tax savings. The Social Security increase averages around $56 monthly, while the tax deduction adds to existing senior standard deductions, potentially reducing taxable income substantially.