The baby boomers will get their payouts, but what about the rest of us?
Posted by Mary Clare McGraw
Social Security and Medicare's annual checkup revealed that the recession
and longer life expectancies are taxing the health of the entitlement system. The Social Security Board of Trustees report found that program costs will exceed tax revenues in 2016, a year sooner than predicted in last year's report. The trust fund will be exhausted in 2037, four years sooner than the 2008 estimate. Here's a look at how the projections could affect your retirement plans.
Smooth sailing for the baby boomers. In 2037, the year the trust fund is currently projected to be depleted, the youngest baby boomers, currently age 45, will be 73. It's highly unlikely that baby boomers will face a rise in the retirement age or cuts in benefits. "The good news for current beneficiaries and those nearing retirement is that your benefits will remain secure and intact for the foreseeable future," says Nancy LeaMond, executive vice president of AARP, a lobbying group for older Americans.
Changes for younger people. Social Security and Medicare will still be around for younger generations. But there is some uncertainty about whether there will be tax increases, benefit cuts, some combination of the two, or other fixes to correct the underfunding.
Click to read more
No comments:
Post a Comment