Social Security has shifted far from its original intent. It was once a system where your taxes were set aside and invested, creating a fund for your own retirement. But over time, the baby boomer generation began drawing heavily from these reserves, turning what was meant to be a self-sustaining system into a pay-as-you-go model. Now, instead of relying on their own invested contributions, Social Security is sustained largely by taxing the younger generations to fund the retirees, shifting the burden and undermining the system’s original promise. This approach leaves younger generations on the hook, fueling concerns about the system’s long-term viability.
Social Security has shifted far from its original intent. It was once a system where your taxes were set aside and invested, creating a fund for your own retirement. But over time, the baby boomer generation began drawing heavily from these reserves, turning what was meant to be a self-sustaining system into a pay-as-you-go model. Now, instead of relying on their own invested contributions, Social Security is sustained largely by taxing the younger generations to fund the retirees, shifting the burden and undermining the system’s original promise. This approach leaves younger generations on the hook, fueling concerns about the system’s long-term viability.