Sen. John Curtis, a Republican from Utah, has warned that politicians are not being honest about the future of Social Security. In an interview on “Meet the Press,” Curtis said, “We’re not being honest when we look people in the eye and say we’re not going to touch it.
If we don’t touch it, it touches itself.”
Curtis’s comments come as concerns grow about the solvency of Social Security. The program’s Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) trust funds are facing depletion. A 2024 report from the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General says that if no solution is found, benefits could be automatically cut by 17 percent in 2035.
“Younger Americans deserve an honest conversation,” Curtis wrote in a public statement. “Many don’t believe they’ll receive anything because the program is heading toward insolvency. The sooner we save Social Security for our children and grandchildren, the less dramatic the changes will need to be.
President Trump has said that he will not cut Social Security benefits.
Curtis critiques Social Security honesty
In March 2024, he said, “I will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare.” He repeated this stance in January, saying that his administration would “love and cherish” Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Curtis said in the interview that while current retirees and those nearing retirement will not be affected, there needs to be a conversation about the future for younger generations.
“We all need to say, those in retirement and those near retirement, we’re not going to touch it, you’re safe. But let’s have that conversation, because my kids don’t think they’re going to get it. So why can’t we talk about moving some of the variables around now?
The sooner we do it, the less dramatic it has to be.”
Stephen Kates, a principal financial analyst for RetireGuide.com, noted, “Americans, on average, depend on Social Security benefits for close to 40 percent of their retirement income. If nothing is done to address shortfalls, the expected 20 percent reduction in benefits will significantly impact many retirees’ ability to maintain their lifestyles.”
Curtis plans to introduce a change to Social Security in the coming months. He emphasized the urgency of the situation.
This is sure to be a developing story as the conversation around the sustainability of Social Security continues.
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