Americans Losing Hope In Social Security | Armstrong Economics

Young Americans know that they are forced to pay into a system that will produce returns. A new study by AARP found that confidence in Social Security has plummeted to a 15-year low. The government has successfully run this Ponzi Scheme for 90 years, but in due time, it will run out of money.
According to the survey, confidence in Social Security fell to 36%, nearing the all-time low of 35% experienced in 2010. Only a quarter of respondents between 18 and 49 expressed confidence in the system, compared to 48% of Americans over 50 who believe they will see a return. Still, 69% of Americans overall felt that Social Security was an important program.
Why? Why must we permit the government to claim a portion of our pay only to redistribute it back to us at a loss? Individuals would receive far greater returns if permitted to independently invest those funds. Similar to tax refunds where the government steals a portion of our pay only to hand it back to us at the end of the fiscal year, Social Security is another interest-free loan for the government that does not benefit the people.
As of June 2025, 53 million retired Americans and 7.1 million Americans with disabilities received Social Security, with the average monthly payment amounting to $2,005. That is not enough to live on anywhere. Yet, 24 million families rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. The aforementioned study found that 78% of people realize that Social Security will not cover their living expenses upon retirement. A quarter of respondents on 50 said that they are not factoring in Social Security payments in their retirement plans as they know the jig is up.
It comes as no surprise that analysts are projecting Social Security to run dry by 2034, aligning closely with the computer’s date of 2032 when the entire world will experience a drastic transformation. Those same analysts believe that the program will need to rely entirely on payroll tax revenue once the general fund becomes depleted.
Social Security cannot survive. Social Security invests 100% in government bonds, meaning it does not earn a fair interest rate. I spoke with Congress in the 90s and urged them to transform it into a wealth fund allocated out among managers. The Democrats voted against the privatization of Social Security. The fund would be more than abundant had it been permitted to invest in equities or anything other than government debt. It never should have been a political decision.
So those deciding not to factor in Social Security payments are wise. Those who feel angered that they must continue paying into this failing system are also awakened to the truth—Social Security is in its final stages until collapse.