WATCH: Can Social Security Survive and Thrive? An AARP Texas-sponsored Discussion about the Future of Social Security

This page was updated with new information and links on June 17.

More than one in seven Texas residents – over 4.5 million people – receive Social Security benefits. These Texans work hard for their money. So it’s only fair that they get everything they earned.

Extensive survey and polling research demonstrates that a strong majority of Americans believe Social Security is an important program they view favorably, and opposes reductions in funding that would reduce benefits. Moreover, close to 9 out 10 believe Congress should work immediately to ensure full benefits for current and future beneficiaries.

AARP Texas is encouraging a conversation about solutions to protect Social Security for future generations.

AARP Texas and KSAT, the ABC affiliate (Channel 12) in San Antonio, hosted an expert panel that discussed “Can Social Security Survive and Thrive?," and it touched on demographic impacts, policy and possible solvency solutions.

KSAT will now present a 30-minute segment from the event. Click here to watch the program. It first broadcasts at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, June 19.

KSAT-TV Anchor Stephania Jimenez leads a conversation with the experts: Dennis W. Jansen, director of the Private Enterprise Research Center; Marisa Bono, CEO of Every Texan, and Rogelio Saenz, a University of Texas at San Antonio professor.

The trust funds from which Social Security benefits are paid are projected to run short of money by 2035.

While that does not mean Social Security will no longer be around; it means the system will exhaust its cash reserves and will able to pay out only what it takes in year-to-year in Social Security taxes. If this comes to pass, Social Security would be able to pay about four-fifths of the benefits that retired and disabled workers have earned.

To avoid any shortfall, Congress must take action over the next decade to address Social Security’s finances – for example, by cutting benefits, raising taxes, redirecting other government revenue into the program or crafting some combination of the above.

AARP has many resources to help you understand the program, including a Social Security Resource Center and there are many myths to debunk about the program.

Again, watch the program here: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/05/30/join-ksat-aarp-for-a-discussion-on-the-future-of-social-security-june-19-at-7-pm/