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In the discussion of Social Security, the meaning of the same word changes from sentence to sentence. This is how you find that SS is a driver of our long-term deficits, and yet does not add a penny to our deficit. You need to know what the word "deficit" means. Most of these myths come from people who think that the words have the same meaning as in the English language.
1. Social Security has not added one penny to the deficit.
You tell me which "deficit" you are talking about, and I can tell you how much SS adds to it.
2. Social Security can pay every penny of benefit to every eligible American for 17 years.
The Trustees say that SS has a coin flips chance of paying scheduled benefits in 2034. People are generally converting a wild-ass guess into some kind of promise.
3. Social Security is going/is not going bankrupt.
When someone uses the word bankrupt in a discussion about Social Security, it is click bait. Whether it is pro or con, the writer is trying to get shares.
4. Social Security is a driver of our long term debt.
The problem in Social Security is the amount of money that it will not spend. Not spending money is not the cause or really even a contributor to our debt.
5. The government has raided the Trust Funds to pay for other programs.
The program has not generated a penny of free cashflow to "raid" in 7 years.
If you wish to find source material or a longer description,
5 Myths About Social Security Often Accepted as Facts
1. Social Security has not added one penny to the deficit.
You tell me which "deficit" you are talking about, and I can tell you how much SS adds to it.
2. Social Security can pay every penny of benefit to every eligible American for 17 years.
The Trustees say that SS has a coin flips chance of paying scheduled benefits in 2034. People are generally converting a wild-ass guess into some kind of promise.
3. Social Security is going/is not going bankrupt.
When someone uses the word bankrupt in a discussion about Social Security, it is click bait. Whether it is pro or con, the writer is trying to get shares.
4. Social Security is a driver of our long term debt.
The problem in Social Security is the amount of money that it will not spend. Not spending money is not the cause or really even a contributor to our debt.
5. The government has raided the Trust Funds to pay for other programs.
The program has not generated a penny of free cashflow to "raid" in 7 years.
If you wish to find source material or a longer description,
5 Myths About Social Security Often Accepted as Facts