Social Security is Not To Blame for Federal Debt

 In his article, The Debt Matters Again (1/2/24), German Lopez makes the classic error of conflating Social Security with the federal debt. Mr. Lopez claims that neither party is “willing to cut” Social Security, but seniors’ hard-earned benefits should not be slashed in the name of debt reduction (or for any reason). Social Security is fully self-funded by American workers and does not contribute a penny to the debt. In fact, the program is not legally allowed to incur debt. The assertion that Social Security payments add to the federal debt is a falsehood perpetrated by those who want to cut and privatize the program. We urge the Times to dispel that myth instead of reinforcing it.    

Max Richtman
President & CEO
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Washington, DC