Planet Money · September 30, 2026 · 29m

Who’s gonna pay for your Social Security?

Planet Money explores the looming Social Security funding crisis, which could lead to reduced payments for retirees as soon as 2032. The episode examines some of the most discussed proposals to fix the system, breaking down who would bear the financial burden for each. Hosts Erika Beras and Jeff Guo also consult the former chief actuary of the Social Security Administration, the person Congress used to call for impartial number-crunching and bottom-line analysis.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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The 2032 Social Security shortfall

Social Security trust funds are projected to run out by 2032, just six years from now, meaning the program won't be able to make full payments to retirees unless Congress acts.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Whose wallet gets hit? The burden of each fix

Planet Money breaks down the most talked-about solutions for Social Security by analyzing exactly whose wallets would be affected — whether it’s workers, high earners, beneficiaries, or taxpayers in general.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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