Social security trust fund Articles

What's Next for Social Security?

Lately, nearly every time the Social Security Trustees have reported on the program's health, the news has gotten worse. Here's what we can expect from their next report.

How 'Chained CPI' Will Hit Your Pocketbook

Obama's new budget proposal includes changing some key inflation calculations to "chained CPI" -- a controversial shift because of the effect it may have on personal finances.

3 Social Security Shockers From the CBO's Latest Report

The Congressional Budget Office has updated its projections for the Social Security Trust Fund, and the news isn't good. If you're still working, and expect Social Security to cover a major portion of your retirement needs, you'll want to see these numbers.

Counterpoint: Soften the Blow of Social Security's Fall

Thanks to the expiration of the temporary payroll tax cut at the end of this year, President Obama has a historic opportunity to shore up Social Security. The Motley Fool's Chuck Saletta explains how this tax hike could be the best thing for the country.

Goodbye, Payroll Tax Holiday; Hello, Tax Hike for the 47%

Even if you're part of the 47% who don't pay federal income taxes, you probably do pay payroll taxes. A few years ago, President Obama and his allies in Congress cut you a break to ease the pain of the recession: a 2 percentage point payroll tax holiday. Well, the holiday is over.

What's Happening to Social Security Next Year?

If you're receiving Social Security benefits, your check will rise by 1.7% in 2013, thanks to that program's most recent annual cost-of-living adjustment. If, on the other hand, you're still working and paying into Social Security, your taxes are going back up next year.

Social Security Will Run Dry Even Sooner Than the Latest Bad Projection

For the past several years, Social Security's Trustees have been warning of the accelerating depletion of its Trust Fund. Since 2008, the Trust Fund's out-of-money date has inched forward from 2041 to 2033. Unfortunately, even that projection is a bit too optimistic.

A Radical Solution for the Social Security Crisis: Have More Babies!

In the debate over how to keep Social Security afloat, two proposals dominate: Either raise taxes or cut benefits. Neither is an attractive option, but one there is little-mentioned solution that could fix Social Security almost painlessly: Make more cute little Americans.

Is Social Security Becoming a Bad Deal for American Workers?

Here's a disturbing fact about Social Security you may not have heard about: For an increasing number of new retirees, the amount that Social Security will pay out in benefits will end up being less than the payroll taxes they paid in.

Fiscal Cliff Ahead: The Party's Over for the Payroll Tax Holiday

When pundits talk about the fiscal cliff, they7 usually focus on the damage that'll be caused by the expiring Bush tax cuts and the across-the-board budget cuts. But what you'll probably feel first will be the end of the payroll tax holiday, which will take an instant bite out of your paycheck.