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The Trust Fund

Social Security's Trust Fund isn't like normal trust funds. That's because there aren't any funds in it. The Trust Fund is kept in two white binders at the Bureau of Public Debt in West Virginia. Those binders contain special-issue government bonds with face values of billions of dollars apiece. What's behind those bonds? The full faith and credit of the United States. In other words, the bonds represent a promise, but not a guarantee. For the government to make good on them, it will have to raise taxes or divert funds from the general budget.
Hi-Res image: The Trust Fund

Social Security Can't Pay Promised Benefits
A History of Payroll Tax Increases
Fewer Workers, More Retirees
Seniors Are Living Longer
Americans Are Getting Older
The Trust Fund

Growth in Federal Spending
Real Returns for Private Investments
The Retirement Iceberg Is Approaching
To Pay Scheduled Benefits, Payroll Taxes Would Have to Increase Over 50%
Delay Increases the Cost to Fix Social Security
Drastic Benefit Cuts When the Trust Fund is Exhausted
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