Social Security: More older Americans worry the money wont be there for them, poll shows

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 11:32 am

Social Security Concerns Rise Among Older Americans, Fueling Partisan Divide

A new poll reveals growing anxieties among older Americans regarding the future of Social Security, highlighting a significant partisan divide. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll indicates that a larger percentage of those aged 60 and older are unsure if their benefits will be available when needed. This shift is particularly pronounced among Democrats, with about half expressing low confidence, a stark contrast to the 2023 poll.

Conversely, older Republicans show increased confidence in Social Security's future. This divergence in sentiment appears to be linked to the current political climate, with changes and staffing cuts within the Social Security Administration under the Trump administration. The article also mentions comments made by Elon Musk, a Trump advisor, who described Social Security as a Ponzi scheme, further fueling concerns.

The poll underscores the importance of Social Security for millions of Americans, including those receiving retirement and disability benefits. The program's financial stability is a major concern, with the 2024 Social Security and Medicare trustees report projecting that the program may only be able to pay 83% of benefits by 2035. This has led to increased scrutiny and debate, with both parties anticipating Social Security to be a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections. The article also highlights the concerns of younger generations, who also express skepticism about the program's long-term viability, regardless of political affiliation.

Keywords: Social Security, older Americans, benefits, confidence, poll, Democrats, Republicans, Trump administration, Elon Musk, partisan divide, retirement, disability benefits, financial stability, midterm elections, AP-NORC poll, Joe Biden, Frank Bisignano, SSA, go-broke date

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