Social Security at 90: A Bipartisan Roadmap for the Program’s Future

As it marks its 90th anniversary, Social Security has become the foundation of economic security for nearly all Americans, providing a suite of insurance that protects workers and their families in the event of retirement, disability, or death. However, the program currently faces a long-term financing gap which, if unaddressed, will result in across-the-board benefit cuts of roughly one-fifth.

To better understand Americans’ views of Social Security and their preferences regarding policy options to address the program’s financing gap, the National Academy of Social Insurance, AARP, the National Institute on Retirement Security, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce collaborated with Greenwald Research to conduct a survey in October and November of 2024. Unlike the vast majority of public opinion research on Social Security, this survey included trade-off analysis to capture a more comprehensive picture of Americans’ views on how lawmakers should address the program’s finances.

This survey’s primary finding is that, across party lines, generations, income, and education, Americans overwhelmingly want to see Social Security’s financing gap closed by bringing in additional revenues instead of through benefit reductions—and they are willing to contribute more to strengthen the program’s finances. At a time when the nation seems deeply divided about the appropriate size and role of government, it is notable that Americans are united when it comes to their views on Social Security—and their preferred path for the program’s future.

Hear AARP members Elizabeth and George talk about what Social Security means to them: