Either We Change Social Security or It Runs Out

If reform does not occur by the 2030s, benefits will most likely not be stopped, but will be reduced. Washington has known for a long time now that Social Security needs to be reformed, but it is not expected soon, according to Forbes in "When Can You Expect Social Security Reform?" The problem is that the Republicans and Democrats are very far apart on how they would like to fix the program. Republicans would like to raise the retirement age as part of any fix. Many of them would also like to privatize the program. Both of those ideas are staunchly opposed by Democrats, who would instead like to find further funding, so Social Security benefits can be increased. This stalemate is not going to end in the near future. That means it is unlikely the parties will compromise to come up with a fix. Do not expect them to do so, until the very last minute when a compromise must be reached or benefits will be cut automatically. The bottom line is that if nothing is done, then sometime in the 2030s the Social Security Trust Fund will run out of money. Reference: Forbes (August 29, 2017) "When Can You Expect Social Security Reform?"