There's good news, though. Beyond 2034, workers will continue to pay into the Social Security system. ... The bad news is those payments will only be able to cover 77% of the expected payouts. In case you're wondering, that's an instant 23% pay cut for all those receiving Social Security checks in 2034 and forever after.
It's true that Social Security will soon start paying out more benefits than it receives in contributions, as the bulk of the baby-boom generation phases into retirement. The government's official position is that there is enough money saved to pay benefits at the currently scheduled amounts until 2035.
Social Security does not now—and is unlikely in the future to—provide enough income for a comfortable retirement. If Social Security is reworked by Congress to extend its life, younger workers and high-income earners will likely be the ones to pay for it.
Social security will likely exist in the future. However, one should expect a noticeably smaller payment than what current and past recipients receive or have received. Per a recent Social Security Trustees' report, future recipients can expect a 21% benefit cut that can grow to 27%.
By 2035, the number of Americans 65 and older will increase to more than 78 million from about 56 million today. As a result, more people will be taking money out of the Social Security system — but there will be fewer people paying into it. That doesn't mean the program will run out of money entirely, though.
A surviving spouse can collect 100 percent of the late spouse's benefit if the survivor has reached full retirement age, but the amount will be lower if the deceased spouse claimed benefits before he or she reached full retirement age.
Bottom line: Yes, you can live on Social Security, if staying alive is the goal. But those who do live largely or entirely on Social Security will face downward mobility in retirement—a reality that an expected 40% of older workers now face.
Consider the Average Social Security Payment
The average Social Security benefit was $1,543 per month in January 2021. The maximum possible Social Security benefit for someone who retires at full retirement age is $3,148 in 2021.
The maximum benefit — the most an individual retiree can get — is $3,148 a month for someone who files for Social Security in 2021 at full retirement age, or FRA (the age at which you qualify for 100 percent of the benefit calculated from your earnings history).
Younger generations, including Gen Z and millennials, unsurprisingly estimate that Social Security funds will make up a much smaller piece of their retirement savings pie. Gen Z expects Social Security will cover about 15% of their retirement funding, while millennials predict it will be about 17%.
In 2021, beneficiaries who are collecting Social Security prior to reaching their full retirement age and continue to work will have any income they earn over $18,960 taxed, an increase of $720 from 2020. One benefit dollar of ever $2 they earn above that limit will be withheld.
SSI amounts for 2021
The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2021 are $794 for an eligible individual, $1,191 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $397 for an essential person.
As long as you remain alive, you continue drawing benefits based on your work record and how much you've earned over your lifetime. When you die, the benefits cease – there is no accrued balance that is paid out to your estate or to your survivors. Social Security does not pay benefits for the month of your death.
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