Retirement and Social Security
Current trend: Holding · Category: Money · Last updated: August 5, 2026
Current situation
The Social Security system has become unsustainable because people are living longer, and combined with fewer births, demographics are skewing older. Baby boomers are increasingly themselves from the workforce ("If I'm rich, why work?"). Solutions are simple but not easy. Politicians will, at some point, have to agree to do some combination of: - Increase social security taxes on payrolls (from workers and/or businesses) - Delay the retirement age - Means-test benefits (richer people get less benefits) - Increase the tax on Social Security benefits - Slow the increase of benefits over time due to inflation adjustments - Cut overall benefits for everyone There is a bipartisan push to address the looming Social Security shortfall, but that's been the case before, with no real reforms. They continue to simply kick the can down the road. Markets will force their hand at some point.
Why we're watching
Retirement systems affect taxes, government finances, and long-term household planning. With the average retiree holding a relatively modest amount in savings, more are relying on Social Security for the bulk of their income.
What to watch for next
Major reform legislation, Trust fund projections, Benefit changes
Signal history
- 2026-08-05 — Social Security is becoming the primary retirement plan for many Americans Social Security pays, on average, about $25,000 a year in retirement benefits. According to a new survey, more than 4 in 10 workers aged 55 and older expect Social Security to be their primary source of retirement income. Rising out-of-pocket medical costs now eat up a good chunk of those monthly checks.
- 2026-07-18 — What the 2032 Social Security Shortfall Will Cost Retirees in Every State Depending on where you live, individual losses are projected to range from $459 to $556 monthly. East coast states are projected to be hit hardest.
- 2026-07-16 — Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Depletion Dates Move Closer The latest Social Security and Medicare Trustees reports show that the nation’s two largest entitlement programs are moving closer to depletion, narrowing the window for Congress to act before automatic benefit and provider-payment reductions take effect.
- 2026-06-09 — Social Security trustees project long-term funding shortfall unchanged. Still projecting potential cuts in retiree benefits