
Social Security has long been a financial lifeline for millions of Americans—but behind the scenes, the system is under growing pressure. With more retirees drawing benefits and fewer workers paying into the system, a gap has emerged between what Social Security collects and what it pays out. That gap—known as the Social Security deficit—is forcing tough questions about who will ultimately bear the cost. Will it be today’s workers, future retirees, or taxpayers as a whole? Here’s a breakdown of the possibilities.