Social Security Solvency: Protecting the Promise Through the AMAC Social Security Guarantee

Lesson Goal

Help members understand why Social Security solvency is one of AMAC’s most important signature issues, why the program faces long-term financial challenges, and how the AMAC Social Security Guarantee offers a serious, solutions-oriented framework to preserve benefits for current and future generations.

Lesson Overview

Social Security is one of the most important programs in American life. For millions of seniors, it is not a political talking point. It is a monthly benefit they earned through years of work and payroll contributions.

AMAC has made Social Security solvency one of its most important signature issues because seniors deserve stability, workers deserve confidence, and future generations deserve a program that is financially sound.

The centerpiece of AMAC’s work on this issue is the AMAC Social Security Guarantee, also known as the SSG. AMAC developed the Social Security Guarantee after years of research into Social Security’s long-term financial challenges. The proposal is designed to preserve the program, prevent automatic benefit cuts, protect lower-income seniors, modernize retirement security, and strengthen Social Security for future generations.

AMAC Action has also stated that it supports legislation to guarantee Social Security’s solvency and benefits without increases in the payroll tax, and supports efforts to reduce or eliminate taxation of Social Security benefits.

Why Social Security Solvency Matters

Social Security is often described as a promise.

Workers pay into the system throughout their careers with the expectation that benefits will be there when they retire, become disabled, or leave survivors behind. For many retirees, Social Security is a major source of monthly income. For some, it is the difference between financial stability and poverty.

That is why solvency matters.

Solvency means the program has enough financial resources to pay promised benefits over time. When a program is insolvent, it does not mean it disappears overnight. It means the program cannot fully meet its obligations without changes.

For Social Security, the concern is that if Congress fails to act, automatic benefit reductions could eventually occur. AMAC has warned that the projected insolvency window around 2033–2034 could result in automatic benefit cuts if policymakers do nothing.

For seniors and near-retirees, that kind of uncertainty is unacceptable.

For younger workers, it raises a serious question: will the program they are paying into today still be dependable tomorrow?

Social Security Is Not Just a Senior Issue

Social Security solvency affects every generation.

It affects current retirees who rely on monthly benefits.
It affects near-retirees who are planning their financial future.
It affects workers who are paying payroll taxes today.
It affects spouses, widows, widowers, disabled workers, and survivors.
It affects children and grandchildren who will inherit the consequences of decisions made now.

If Congress waits too long, the choices may become more painful. Delaying reform can make the problem harder to solve and increase the risk of sudden or severe changes.

That is why AMAC’s message is urgent but constructive:

Protect current beneficiaries. Strengthen the program. Prevent automatic cuts. Act before the crisis becomes worse.

The AMAC Social Security Guarantee

The AMAC Social Security Guarantee is AMAC’s signature proposal to address Social Security’s long-term financial challenge.

AMAC’s Social Security Guarantee is built around three major directives:

  1. Guarantee an annual increase in benefits for all, with emphasis on those with lower earnings, to keep Social Security true to its mission of helping seniors avoid poverty.
  2. Guarantee achieving solvency and ensure benefits continue without automatic cuts.
  3. Guarantee all earners the opportunity to create more income available at retirement through work and improved retirement savings programs.

This is important because AMAC is not simply saying, “Congress should do something.” AMAC is offering a specific policy framework.

The Social Security Guarantee is meant to be a serious, balanced plan that modernizes the program while preserving its core mission.

The First Guarantee: Annual Benefit Increases with Greater Help for Lower-Benefit Seniors

One of the major components of the AMAC Social Security Guarantee is reforming how annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments, or COLAs, are calculated.

Today, Social Security COLAs are generally applied as an equal percentage increase. That means a person with a larger monthly benefit receives a larger dollar increase than a person with a smaller monthly benefit.

AMAC’s proposal would move toward an equal-dollar COLA based on the average retirement benefit, with a guaranteed minimum increase of not less than 1% applied to the average benefit each year.

The purpose is to provide stronger protection for lower- and middle-benefit retirees.

This matters because Social Security has always had an anti-poverty mission. Seniors with lower monthly benefits are often more vulnerable to rising costs for food, insurance, medical care, housing, utilities, and prescription drugs.

Under AMAC’s approach, COLA dollars would be weighted more toward those who need protection most while still providing an annual increase for all beneficiaries.

In simple terms:

The AMAC Social Security Guarantee seeks to protect every beneficiary while giving added emphasis to lower-income seniors who are most at risk.

The Second Guarantee: Solvency Without Automatic Benefit Cuts

The second major directive of the AMAC Social Security Guarantee is to achieve solvency and ensure benefits continue without automatic cuts.

This is the heart of the issue.

If Congress does nothing, Social Security’s financial imbalance could eventually trigger automatic reductions in payable benefits. AMAC’s position is that policymakers should not wait until seniors are facing a sudden cut.

AMAC’s approach is solutions-oriented. It recognizes that Social Security must be preserved, but also that the program needs reform to remain sustainable.

AMAC Action has publicly said it supports legislation to guarantee the solvency and benefits of Social Security without increases in the payroll tax.

This is a critical point for advocates.

AMAC is not arguing to eliminate Social Security.
AMAC is not arguing to abandon seniors.
AMAC is not arguing to ignore the problem.

AMAC is arguing that Congress must act responsibly to prevent automatic cuts and preserve Social Security for current and future generations.

The Third Guarantee: More Retirement Income Through Work and Savings

The third directive of the AMAC Social Security Guarantee focuses on helping earners create more income available at retirement through work and improved retirement savings programs.

This recognizes an important reality: Social Security was never meant to be the only source of retirement income.

A stronger retirement system should include:

  • Social Security
  • Personal savings
  • Employer retirement plans
  • IRAs
  • 401(k)s
  • Continued work opportunities for those who choose to work
  • Better savings incentives
  • Financial education

The goal is to help Americans have more resources in retirement, not less.

This part of the AMAC plan connects solvency with personal responsibility and financial independence. It recognizes that public policy should preserve Social Security while also encouraging stronger retirement savings and more flexible options for workers.

Taxation of Social Security Benefits

Another important part of AMAC’s Social Security work is reducing or eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits.

AMAC Action states that it supports state and federal efforts to reduce or eliminate the taxing of Social Security benefits.

This issue matters because many seniors are surprised to learn that Social Security benefits can be taxed, depending on income. AMAC’s Social Security Guarantee summary also discusses increasing the income thresholds for taxation of benefits to exempt more middle-class seniors and indexing those thresholds for inflation.

The argument is straightforward:

Seniors paid into Social Security during their working years. Taxing benefits in retirement can feel like a second hit, especially for middle-class retirees dealing with inflation, healthcare costs, and fixed incomes.

AMAC’s position is that policymakers should look for ways to reduce the tax burden on seniors and protect more of their earned benefits.

AMAC as a Serious Stakeholder on Social Security

AMAC’s work on Social Security is not limited to commentary. AMAC has positioned itself as a serious stakeholder in the national Social Security reform conversation.

In March 2026, AMAC leadership met with Social Security Administration officials to discuss modernization, fraud prevention, long-term solvency, and the AMAC Social Security Guarantee. AMAC described the meeting as part of its broader commitment to being a solutions-oriented stakeholder as Congress and the Administration confront Social Security’s solvency challenges.

This matters for members because AMAC is not simply reacting from the sidelines. AMAC is bringing a proposal to policymakers and urging serious action before the program reaches a crisis point.

For advocates, this gives the issue more focus.

The ask is not just:

“Protect Social Security.”

The stronger ask is:

“Congress should take up serious solvency reform, including the AMAC Social Security Guarantee, to prevent automatic cuts and preserve the program for current and future generations.”

Why Seniors Should Care

Seniors should care about Social Security solvency because the program directly affects retirement security.

Many older Americans use Social Security benefits to pay for:

  • Housing
  • Food
  • Utilities
  • Prescription drugs
  • Medicare-related costs
  • Transportation
  • Insurance
  • Basic household needs

For some seniors, even a small reduction would be difficult. A large automatic cut would be devastating.

But seniors should also care because this issue affects their children and grandchildren.

Without reform, younger workers may face higher uncertainty, heavier tax burdens, or lower confidence in the program’s future. Solving the problem responsibly protects both today’s beneficiaries and tomorrow’s retirees.

Why Younger Workers Should Care

Younger workers may think Social Security is only a senior issue, but they are paying into the system right now.

Every paycheck includes payroll taxes that fund Social Security. Workers deserve confidence that the program will be there when they retire.

The longer Congress waits, the harder it may be to fix the program without painful choices.

AMAC’s Social Security Guarantee gives advocates a way to talk about Social Security as a generational issue:

  • Protect current seniors.
  • Strengthen the program for workers.
  • Prevent automatic cuts.
  • Encourage retirement savings.
  • Keep the program true to its mission.

Common Misunderstandings About Social Security Reform

Misunderstanding 1: Reform Means Cutting Benefits

Not necessarily.

AMAC’s position is that reform is needed to prevent automatic cuts and preserve the program. The Social Security Guarantee is framed around protecting benefits, achieving solvency, and supporting retirement security.

Misunderstanding 2: Congress Can Wait

Waiting makes the problem harder. The projected insolvency window is close enough that policymakers need to act before automatic reductions become a reality. AMAC has pointed to the 2033–2034 timeframe as a critical period.

Misunderstanding 3: Social Security Is Only About Retirees

Social Security also affects workers, disabled individuals, spouses, widows, widowers, survivors, and future retirees.

Misunderstanding 4: There Is No Serious Conservative Solution

AMAC’s Social Security Guarantee is designed to be a serious conservative framework that preserves Social Security, protects lower-income seniors, avoids automatic cuts, and encourages improved retirement savings.

How to Talk About Social Security Solvency Respectfully

Social Security is personal. Many seniors rely on it. Many workers are worried about it. Advocates should speak clearly, carefully, and respectfully.

Strong messages should focus on:

  • Protecting current beneficiaries
  • Preventing automatic cuts
  • Strengthening the program for future generations
  • Supporting the AMAC Social Security Guarantee
  • Preserving Social Security’s anti-poverty mission
  • Reducing or eliminating taxes on benefits
  • Acting before the problem becomes harder to solve

Avoid vague statements like:

“Congress is destroying Social Security.”

Use more effective language:

“Congress should act now to prevent automatic benefit cuts and support serious reform, including the AMAC Social Security Guarantee.”

Avoid fear-only messaging.

Use solution-focused messaging:

“Social Security can be preserved, but Congress must act responsibly before the trust fund crisis forces automatic cuts.”

Sample Advocacy Message

Subject: Please Support the AMAC Social Security Guarantee

Dear [Official Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I live in [City, State]. I am one of your constituents.

I am writing to ask you to support serious Social Security solvency reform, including the AMAC Social Security Guarantee.

Social Security is a promise earned by millions of Americans through a lifetime of work. Current retirees deserve protection, and future generations deserve a program that is financially sound.

The AMAC Social Security Guarantee offers a responsible framework to prevent automatic benefit cuts, preserve Social Security’s mission, provide annual benefit increases with emphasis on lower-benefit seniors, and strengthen retirement security for future generations.

Please make Social Security solvency a priority and support solutions that protect current beneficiaries while modernizing the program for the future.

Thank you for your time and service.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Practical Ways Citizens Can Take Action

AMAC members can support Social Security solvency by:

  • Learning the basics of the AMAC Social Security Guarantee
  • Contacting their U.S. House member and two U.S. Senators
  • Asking Congress to act before automatic cuts occur
  • Sharing accurate information with friends and family
  • Encouraging younger workers to understand the issue
  • Supporting efforts to reduce or eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits
  • Attending AMAC Foundation or AMAC Action educational events on Social Security
  • Responding to AMAC Action alerts on Social Security legislation
  • Using the AMAC Foundation Social Security Advisory Service for personal benefit questions

The AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service provides free guidance from accredited Social Security Advisors, and membership is not required to use the service.

What to Avoid

To remain credible, advocates should avoid:

  • Saying Social Security will disappear overnight
  • Claiming reform automatically means benefit cuts
  • Confusing personal benefit questions with legislative reform
  • Sharing inaccurate numbers without checking sources
  • Treating solvency as a partisan slogan instead of a serious policy issue
  • Ignoring younger workers and future retirees
  • Forgetting to mention the AMAC Social Security Guarantee as the solution framework

This lesson should leave members with one clear idea:

Social Security faces a real financial challenge, but AMAC has a serious plan to help solve it.

Key Terms

Social Security Solvency
The ability of Social Security to meet its financial obligations and pay promised benefits over time.

AMAC Social Security Guarantee
AMAC’s signature reform proposal designed to preserve Social Security, prevent automatic cuts, protect lower-benefit seniors, and strengthen retirement security.

COLA
Cost-of-Living Adjustment. An annual increase in Social Security benefits intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation.

Equal-Dollar COLA
An AMAC proposal that would provide the same dollar-based annual increase to beneficiaries based on the average retirement benefit, with emphasis on helping lower-benefit seniors.

Payroll Tax
The tax paid by workers and employers that funds Social Security.

Trust Fund
The Social Security trust funds help pay benefits when payroll tax revenue is not enough to cover scheduled benefits.

Automatic Benefit Cuts
Potential reductions in payable benefits that could occur if Social Security lacks enough resources to pay full scheduled benefits.

Taxation of Benefits
The federal or state taxation of Social Security benefits depending on income and applicable law.

Key Takeaways

By completing this lesson, members should understand:

  • Social Security solvency is one of AMAC’s most important signature issues.
  • Social Security affects current retirees, near-retirees, workers, survivors, disabled individuals, and future generations.
  • If Congress fails to act, automatic benefit cuts could eventually occur.
  • The AMAC Social Security Guarantee is AMAC’s signature solution framework.
  • The SSG focuses on annual benefit increases, solvency without automatic cuts, and stronger retirement income opportunities.
  • AMAC supports reducing or eliminating taxation of Social Security benefits.
  • AMAC Action supports solvency reform without increasing the payroll tax.
  • Advocates should contact federal lawmakers and ask them to support serious reform, including the AMAC Social Security Guarantee.
  • The strongest message is not fear-based. It is solution-focused: protect current seniors, preserve the program, and modernize Social Security for future generations.

Action Step

Before moving to the next lesson, complete this exercise.

Choose one reason Social Security solvency matters most to you:

  • Protecting current retirees
  • Preventing automatic cuts
  • Helping lower-income seniors
  • Reducing taxes on benefits
  • Strengthening retirement security for future generations
  • Preserving Social Security’s anti-poverty mission
  • Supporting the AMAC Social Security Guarantee

Then write a short advocacy message using this format:

My name is ______, and I live in ______. I am contacting you because Social Security solvency matters. I believe Congress should act before automatic benefit cuts occur. I support the AMAC Social Security Guarantee because ______. I am asking you to ______. Thank you for your time and service.

Reflection Question

Why do you believe Social Security solvency should be addressed before the program reaches a crisis point?

How can advocates explain the AMAC Social Security Guarantee as a serious solution rather than simply another political talking point?