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How Will the Coronavirus Pandemic Affect Social Security?

September 1, 2020 By Barry Crimmins

The coronavirus pandemic is having a profound effect on the current U.S. economy, and it may have a detrimental effect on Social Security’s long-term financial situation. High unemployment rates mean Social Security shortfalls could begin earlier than projected. 

Social Security retirement benefits are financed primarily through dedicated payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers, with employees and employers splitting the tax equally. This money is put into a trust fund that is used to pay retiree benefits. The most recent report from the trustees of the Social Security trust fund is that the fund’s balance will reach zero in 2035. This is because more people are retiring than are working, so the program is paying out more in benefits than it is taking in. Additionally, seniors are living longer, so they receive benefits for a longer period of time. Once the fund runs out of money, it does not mean that benefits stop altogether. Instead, retirees’ benefits would be cut, unless Congress acts in the interim. According to the trustees’ projections, the fund’s income would be sufficient to pay retirees 77 percent of their total benefit. 

With unemployment at record levels due to the pandemic, fewer employers and employees are paying payroll taxes into the trust fund. In addition, more workers may claim benefits early because they lost their jobs. President Trump issued an executive order deferring payroll taxes until the end of the year as a form of economic relief, which could negatively affect Social Security and Medicare funds.  

Some experts believe that the pandemic could move up the depletion of the trust fund by two years, to 2033, if the COVID-19 economic collapse causes payroll taxes to drop by 20 percent for two years. Other experts argue that it could have a greater effect and deplete the fund by 2029. However, as the Social Security Administration Chief Actuary morbidly noted to Congress, this pandemic different from most recessions: the increased applications for benefits will be partially offset by increased deaths among seniors who were receiving benefits. 

It remains to be seen exactly how much the pandemic affects the Social Security trust fund, but the experts agree that as soon as the pandemic ends, Congress should take steps to shore up the fund. 

 

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Elder Law News, October 2023

Getting older comes with opportunities and challenges, but fear not, we have your back! Are you concerned about Alzheimer’s? While there’s no known cure, proactive steps can help with prevention. Meanwhile, guess what? Signing up for Medicare Savings Programs just got simpler! The Feds have streamlined the process, making it easier to tap into helpful benefits.

Elder Law News, July 2023

Looping our readers in on the issues that impact the senior community is always a priority. And this month, there’s much to share.

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As a trusted counsel for all things relating to eldercare in Massachusetts, I wanted to share pressing topics impacting our beloved seniors.

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As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

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