2009 Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts

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The Ratio of Workers to Social Security Beneficiaries Is Declining

As the baby boomers age, the nation's demographic makeup will change greatly. Currently, there are approximately 3.3 workers for every Social Security beneficiary, while in 1945 the ratio was approximately 42 workers per retiree. This declining ratio means that fewer and fewer workers will be left to support more and more beneficiaries.

Covered Workers per Social Security Beneficiary, Intermediate Scenario

Covered Workers per Social Security Beneficiary
 
 
Source: 2008 Social Security Trustees Report.

Key Research:
Entitlements

The Long-Term Entitlement Spending and Deficit Problem Could Be Resolved Without Tax Increases



Entitlement Spending Will More Than Double by 2050



Entitlements Alone Will Eclipse Historical Tax Levels by 2052



If Tax Revenue Is Held At Historical Levels, Total Spending Could Reach 67 Percent of GDP



Obama's Budget Ignores Entitlement Crisis



The Ratio of Workers to Social Security Beneficiaries Is Declining



Repealing Tax Cuts and Not Fixing AMT Won't Balance the Budget



Social Security Spending Soon to Rise Rapidly



Tax Rates Would Need to More Than Double If Entitlements Are Not Reformed