Speak Now or See Your Social Security Benefits Cut 20%

Congress has 6 years to save Social Security

June 23, 2026 — As election season heats up, there is one question every candidate for Congress should be forced to answer:

What are you going to do to prevent a 20% cut in Social Security benefits?

This isn’t a distant problem. According to the latest projections, Social Security’s trust funds are expected to run short of money by 2032 or 2033. If Congress does nothing, benefits would automatically be reduced by about 20%.

That possibility should concern everyone—not just retirees. Current retirees depend on Social Security for a significant share of their income. Future retirees have spent decades paying into the system. And younger workers will eventually rely on the program too.

The problem is hardly new. Policymakers have known for decades that the retirement of the Baby Boom generation would put enormous pressure on Social Security. Yet despite repeated warnings from trustees, economists, and advocacy groups, Congress has failed to agree on a long-term solution.

Many politicians talk about reducing fraud, adjusting cost-of-living formulas, or trimming benefits. While those proposals may help at the margins, most analysts agree they do not address the core issue: Social Security is scheduled to pay out more than it collects.

The encouraging news is that two brave leaders, one from each party, have come out with a realistic plan to finally solve the problem. See: Bernie Moreno and Elizabeth Warren: Our Plan to Save Social Security. Sen. Warren (D-MA) and Sen Moreno (R-Ohio) have proposed a simple solution, one that has been around a long time. Their solution is to eliminate the cap on earnings that are taxed by FICA. For 2026, the payroll tax cap, or taxable maximum, is $184,500. Income over is not taxed for Social Security. If it was, that change alone would probably be enough to right the Social Security ship.. Supporters argue that requiring higher earners to pay Social Security taxes on more of their income would significantly strengthen the program’s finances.

Democratic Congressman Larsen from Connecticut has proposed a similar solution for many years, but it has gone nowhere. Listen to him grill the Social Security Commissioner on this issue. Hopefully there will be enough elected officials who are willing to stick their neck out to solve the problem in the next Congress. According to the Times, “tne 2025 poll found that 65 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Republicans support lifting the cap.” Yet Congress does nothing.

Whether you agree with that approach or favor another solution, one thing is clear: doing nothing is itself a decision—and one that could result in substantial benefit cuts.sts.

Ask This Question!

Ask This Question

As candidates begin campaigning in earnest, ask them directly:

What specific steps will you take to prevent Social Security benefits from being cut by 20% in 2032?

And ask a follow-up:

Do you support raising or eliminating the earnings cap on Social Security taxes?

If a candidate says that reducing fraud and waste alone will solve the problem, ask for specifics. How much would those measures save, and would they be enough to close the projected funding gap?

How to Ask

Candidates will soon be appearing at town halls, community meetings, and campaign events. If you attend, raise your hand and ask the question.

You can also call or email campaign headquarters, congressional offices, or Senate offices. In many cases, a phone call carries more weight than an email.

Simply search online for “Who is my Congressman?” or “Who are my Senators?” to find contact information.

Why It Matters

Social Security is often called the “third rail” of American politics because elected officials are reluctant to touch it. But avoiding the issue does not make the problem disappear.

If voters don’t demand answers, politicians will continue postponing difficult decisions. The longer Congress waits, the fewer options will remain and the more disruptive the eventual solution may be.

Whether your preferred solution is higher taxes, benefit changes, immigration reform, or some combination of approaches, one thing is clear: doing nothing is not a solution.

This election season, make Social Security part of the conversation

What are your thoughts? Please share them in the Comments section below.