Social Security: Why It Matters for Young People, Not Just Retirees

Oct. 12, 2024 - The New York Times

Paul Unnasch notices the $335 in payroll taxes coming out of his paycheck every month for Social Security, and wishes he could get those dollars back. “If there was a way to opt out of Social Security, I would,” said Mr.

Unnasch, a 27-year-old technical writer who lives in Milwaukee. Mr.

Unnasch’s take on Social Security isn’t unusual among younger Americans. Research shows that a majority of young people are more pessimistic about the program than their older counterparts are.

Gallup polling, for example, shows that just 37 percent of Americans aged 30 to 49 expect to receive Social Security benefits when they retire — compared with 66 percent of people aged 50 or older...