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Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

This is mostly true. SS is self-funded. Current projections say it will run short of income around 2030 and have to dip into the fund it keeps its reserves in. With massive unemployment where people are not paying into SS because they are not making salaries, that date could come sooner. But, even if it does the SS will not "run out of money" suddenly, it will begin reducing payments at first (currently scheduled for 2030).

The government does occasionally borrow money from SS by selling it Special Treasury notes. What makes them "special" is that by law, if the SS wants to sell the notes back, the government legally has to buy them before paying back any other debts. There are many simple things the government COULD do to push that 2030 date out further to 2050 or further, but then, it looks like they are not in the mood to get much of anything done and haven't been for a while now.

The SS is safe for the rest of most of our lives. There is one possible exception to that statement. Should there be a civil war or a collapse of our government, then whatever follows may choose to NOT honor that debt, in which case about 65 million Americans are going to be fairly upset.

But, if the gov deems it prudent to save S.S. it can/can reduce the amount paid out in your monthly check/deposit.