GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences.

These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site.

This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site.

Cuts to Social Security.

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information.

you might read more about oureditorial guidelinesand our products and servicesreview methodology.

20 YearsHelping You Live Richer

Reviewedby Experts

Trusted byMillions of Readers

Social Security is the bedrock of the Americanretirementsystem.

facebook sharing button

But while the concept is fairly straightforward, the ramifications can be huge.

What Is Social Security Privatization?

Social Security works by collecting taxes from workers and using that money to pay the promised benefits to retirees.

twitter sharing button

Any excess amounts collected go into the Social Security Trust Fund, where they are invested in Treasury securities.

Under privatization, the entire process would change.

Another suggested benefit of privatization is that worker savings rates may actually increase.

linkedin sharing button

Rather, they are used to pay the benefits of those who are already retired.

Drawbacks

Transitioning from the current system to privatization would be messy at best.

Another potential issue is that workers arent necessarily adept at investing their own portfolios.

email sharing button

Clearly, theres a long way to go before such a system is implemented.

More From GOBankingRates

Share This Article:

The Latest inRetirement