There's a massive $22.6 trillion crisis looming over American workers, and surprisingly, it's barely making a ripple in the presidential debates. Social Security and Medicare – the lifelines of millions of Americans – are hanging by a thread, yet the candidates seem more interested in catchy sound bites than addressing this financial catastrophe.
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In Tuesday's debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, much was said about various issues, but not a word about the crumbling state of the U.S. federal budget. Trump's outlandish comment, "They're eating the pets," went viral, but what millions of Americans care about more is how they'll survive when Social Security runs dry.
According to the Social Security Administration trustees, the fund faces a $22.6 trillion shortfall. That's not just a number – it's the equivalent of $172,000 for every household in the country. Without significant changes, the Social Security Trust Fund is expected to run out of money by 2035. At that point, benefits could be slashed by 24.6%, leaving retirees in a serious bind.
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"The reality is, if we don't act soon, Social Security will be a thing of the past," warned one financial expert. And the numbers back that up. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) estimates that an average dual-income couple could lose about $16,500 a year in benefits if nothing is done.
According to Google Trends, Social Security was the most-searched issue during election week. One would expect this topic to be front and center during the debate, but the candidates didn't dive into it. Harris and Trump insist they want to protect Social Security, but the specifics remain unclear.
Harris advocates for higher taxes on the wealthy, saying, "We need to ensure millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share." The Biden administration has also pushed for a Social Security tax on incomes up to $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Trump, on the other hand, has been less specific. He denies Democrats’ accusations that he plans to cut benefits while vowing to cut taxes if reelected.
But Social Security isn't the only elephant in the room. Medicare is facing its crisis, with a $2.4 trillion shortfall in the fund that pays for Medicare Part A benefits covering hospital bills – and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
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The future costs for Medicare Part B and Part D – covering doctor visits and prescription drugs – are rising even faster, and those costs are largely funded through taxes and government borrowing.
Last year alone, Medicare taxes brought in $367 billion, but the program spent $1 trillion. By 2048, taxes are projected to cover only one-fifth of the program's costs. Where's the rest of the money going to come from? More borrowing and even more taxes.
The U.S. national debt is already a staggering $34 trillion, and it's expected to keep growing. For perspective, in 2000, the debt was $3.4 trillion – yes, it's grown tenfold in just a generation.
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