The stability of the Social Security Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust (OASI) is a pressing issue, with projections indicating potential depletion by 2033. President Joe Biden has proposed strategies to address the significant $22.4 trillion funding gap highlighted in the 2023 Trustees Report. Without intervention, retirees could face benefit reductions of up to 23% starting in 2033, a concerning prospect for many.
President Biden’s proposals primarily impact higher-income individuals and corporate leaders, who generally have retirement savings substantially exceeding the average American. However, some of these changes will also influence middle- and lower-income earners, particularly those who may depend on Social Security in their later years.
Enhancing Equity: Taxing High-Income Earnings
Under the current system, only earnings up to $160,200 are subject to a 12.4% payroll tax for the OASI. Biden’s proposal introduces a tax on earned income exceeding $400,000, effectively bridging the gap in the current tax structure. This change would leave earnings between $160,200 and $400,000 unaffected.
Refining COLA Calculations
Social Security benefits undergo annual adjustments for inflation. The current adjustment method utilizes the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). However, this metric may not accurately represent the living costs and needs of retirees. Transitioning to the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for these calculations could more accurately reflect retirees’ expenses, potentially enhancing their financial well-being.
Raising the Primary Insurance Amount
The Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) determines Social Security benefits based on the age of benefit commencement and the Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). An increase in the PIA for individuals aged 78 to 82 would provide additional support for older Americans, particularly in light of escalating expenses like healthcare.
Boosting Benefits for Lifetime Low-Wage Workers
Currently, lifetime low-wage workers are entitled to a special minimum Social Security benefit. In 2023, this amounts to an annual benefit of $12,402, or $1,033.50 monthly. Biden’s plan aims to elevate this minimum benefit to 125% of the federal poverty level for an individual. For instance, in 2023, this would result in a monthly benefit of $1,518.75, offering a significant uplift for low-income retirees.
The success of any Social Security reform hinges on bipartisan cooperation in Washington. Despite the urgency, finding common ground between Democrats and Republicans on ways to enhance Social Security’s financial health and increase benefits for those most in need remains a challenge.