The Fund of Social Security
Social Security is a state-administered social welfare fund established by the United States federal government. It provides benefits to retirees, survivors of deceased workers, and the disabled. Under the Social Security Act of 1935, Social Security is funded by taxes paid by workers and employers from their wages and salaries.
Social Security is the largest single source of income for most retirees in the U.S., accounting for about 38 per cent of the income for those aged 65 and older. It provides a minimum base income of approximately $14,200 for retirees. Social Security benefits must be applied for in the form of retirement or disability benefits, survivor benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages the Social Security Fund. The agency is responsible for determining eligibility for benefits, paying benefits, managing the funds, and preventing fraud. The Social Security Trust Fund is funded by Social Security taxes, interest on the trust funds investments, contributions to the trust fund by the federal government, and administrative costs.
The Social Security Trust Fund is part of the National Debt and is composed of two separate funds: the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) fund and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) fund. The main purpose of the Trust Fund is to ensure proper and continuous payment of Social Security and SSI benefits, even when the payroll taxes paid by workers, employers and self-employed individuals are not sufficient to cover the cost of benefits.
The Trust Fund also includes the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, which provides financial assistance to people with disabilities and their families. Funds from the SSDI program are administered and managed by the SSA. The Trust Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees and Report of the Board is published each year.
The Social Security Trust Fund is a major source of revenue for the federal government and helps to reduce the deficit. The Social Security Trust Fund is backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government. It has provided a stable source of funding for Social Security and SSI benefits since its creation in 1972.
The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by 2035, unless major reforms are enacted by Congress. Proposals to improve the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund include raising taxes, increasing the retirement age, and reducing future benefits.
Social Security has been a vital part of the American social safety net since its creation in 1935. The Social Security Trust Fund is a crucial source of funding for retirement and disability benefits and is designed to ensure the future stability of Social Security. Although the sustainability of the Trust Fund is currently a source of concern, policymakers and advocates are working to ensure its continued solvency into the future.