"Is Social Security going broke?"
It is a common retirement question, and the honest answer is neither "yes" nor "don't worry about it."
Here is what the government's own trustees said in June 2026.
According to the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report, released June 9, 2026:
(Source: SSA press release, June 9, 2026; 2026 Trustees Report highlights)
So Social Security is not projected to disappear. Payroll taxes keep coming in. But the trustees project a gap between what has been promised and what the current system can pay, unless the law changes.
The fact that a reduction is even on the table tells us something. It is a reminder that a government benefit works best as one part of a retirement plan, not the whole foundation. Scripture points to a firmer foundation.
Jesus said the wise man "built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not" (Matthew 7:24-25, KJV).
Social Security is a real and valuable part of many retirees' income (see your own statement at ssa.gov/myaccount). You paid into it, and it is reasonable to plan on it. But it is a promise that depends on future acts of Congress. A Christian retiree should hold it gratefully and loosely, not build the whole house on it.
We believe the Bible calls families to be the first line of provision, with public programs as one part of the picture rather than the whole of it. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith" (1 Timothy 5:8, KJV). And Joseph stored grain in the years of plenty because he took the years of famine seriously (Genesis 41:34-36). That is not cynicism. That is stewardship.
Possible changes that have been discussed in public policy debates over the years include raising payroll taxes, changing the wage cap, adjusting the full retirement age, or changing how benefits grow. We are not predicting any of these. Nobody knows which, if any, Congress will choose or when. Building your plan around a guess is just another form of building on sand.
1. Know your own number. Create or log in to your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount and download your statement.
2. Stress-test your plan. Ask: "If my benefit were reduced in the 2030s, what would change?" A sound plan can usually answer that question calmly.
3. Make claiming a household decision. For married couples, the timing of each spouse's claim affects survivor income. Our Social Security timing guide for married couples covers this in depth.
4. Build income sources you control. Savings, retirement accounts, and other resources you own do not depend on Social Security legislation, though they carry their own market, inflation, and other risks.
5. Keep your giving and generosity in the plan. Fear tends to close the hand. Faith keeps it open.
Ignoring the trustees' warning is not faith, and panicking about it is not wisdom. Proverbs 22:3 (KJV): "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished." Foresee it. Plan for it. Then rest.
To see how dependent your retirement paycheck is on any single source, take the free Retirement Paycheck Readiness Scorecard at scorecard.matt25capital.com, or call our office at 620-670-9455 to talk it through.
I'm Will Snodgrass, CFP®, with Matt25 Capital, serving Christian pre-retirees and retirees in The Woodlands, Houston, and across Texas.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information and educational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Nothing in this blog constitutes investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any hypothetical examples used are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual client results. Confirm current IRS, Social Security Administration, and plan rules for your situation. Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. Matt25 Capital is a separate entity from Commonwealth Financial Network®.
Social Security projections are from the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report under intermediate assumptions and are subject to change. Future benefit levels depend on legislation. Matt25 Capital and Commonwealth Financial Network® are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration.