Social Security Beneficiaries Just Got Some Bad News

By Kailey Hagen, CFP – Mar 8, 2026 at 4:30AM ESTKey PointsSocial Security's trust funds are expected to run out of money in 2032, according to a recent CBO report.This is a year earlier than what previous projections expected.Benefit cuts or higher taxes could be necessary to keep the program sustainable.Uncertainty is a natural part of the retirement planning process. You can't predict how long you'll live or how much you'll spend annually. But at least in the past, retirees have been able to count on regular Social Security checks to cover a large chunk of their living expenses. That's not necessarily the case for today's workers and seniors.

While Social Security is not going away, it is heading toward a funding shortfall, and there's no current plan to fix it. That's already tough to hear, but a new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report has revealed that the situation may be a little worse than we previously thought. Image source: Getty Images. Social Security's trust funds are slated to run out sooner than expected Social Security stays afloat thanks to income from Social Security payroll taxes and benefit taxes. It also has trust funds, built up in past years when the program had more income than expenses. However, when expenses began exceeding non-interest income in 2010, the government had to begin tapping the trust funds to make up for the shortfall. The latest Trustees Report, issued in June 2025, indicated that the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund, which pays for retirement and spousal benefits, would be depleted in 2033. However, a CBO report from February 2026 estimates that the depletion date has now advanced to 2032. In both cases, the reports note that, if the government were to combine the OASI trust fund with the Disability Insurance (DI) trust fund, which pays benefits to disabled workers and their families, Social Security would have a bit more time before facing cuts. The CBO report says that, combined, the trust funds could keep the program running as usual until 2033. After that point, it would face benefit cuts unless the government intervenes. It did exactly that the last time Social Security faced a funding crisis in the 1980s, so it's likely to happen again. But right now, there aren't any concrete plans for the program's future. What this means for workers and retirees The only way to avoid Social Security benefit cuts is to increase the program's income. That will likely mean raising taxes. While some suggestions, like raising or eliminating the ceiling on Social Security payroll taxes, would primarily affect the wealthy, ordinary Americans will probably have to shoulder some of the burden. This could make it more difficult to save for retirement, and, if benefit taxes increase, you may hold on to less of your checks as well. This is why it's critical to save as much as you can for retirement on your own. The more savings you have, the better you'll be able to weather whatever comes next. It'll also be important to keep a close eye on Social Security as it nears the 2032 deadline. Once the government has a plan to ensure its solvency for future generations, it'll be time for everyone to revisit their retirement strategy to see what needs changing.Read NextMar 8, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanMortgage Rates Finally Dropped Below 6% -- Here's When Retirees Should Act and When to WaitMar 7, 2026 •By Maurie Backman3 Things Retirees Must Know Before Taking a Mortgage at Today's Lower RatesMar 7, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThe Biggest Medicare Advantage Mistakes Retirees MakeMar 7, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThis Social Security Mistake Could Shrink Your Checks for LifeMar 7, 2026 •By Katie BrockmanRetirees: This Hidden Cost Could Shrink Your Social Security COLAMar 7, 2026 •By Matt Frankel, CFPWill Social Security Finally Be Tax-Free? Here's What Every Retiree Needs to KnowAbout the AuthorKailey Hagen, CFP, is a contributing Motley Fool retirement analyst covering Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning.

Before The Motley Fool, Kailey was a research analyst for Reviews.com focusing on credit and banking products. She is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.TMFKailey