Aging in America News

| On Social Security’s 90th Birthday, It’s Time for Us to Step Up

| Arielle Galinsky

I’m 23 years old. I deeply care about climate change, rising student debt, and yes, Social Security. 

This year marks the 90th birthday of the Social Security Act: a program that provides financial stability to millions of Americans. 

For many, the program is synonymous with monthly checks for Americans over 65. But Social Security is also disability insurance if illness or injury hinders you from working. It is a lifeline for families through survivor benefits when a loved one dies. And it’s something we all contribute to through every paycheck.

Young people access Social Security benefits more often than is commonly thought. Nearly one in five Supplemental Security Income recipients, a subset of Social Security benefits, are between the ages of 18 and 34. Even if you never draw on benefits yourself, odds are they support a parent, neighbor, sibling, or friend that you care about.

The truth of the matter is the confidence in Social Security’s future is waning. Despite Social Security’s wide-ranging reach, there is significant mistrust that future benefits will materialize. A 2025 study by AARP found that, among all age groups, Americans’ confidence in the future of Social Security has declined, with only one in four individuals ages 18-49 expressing confidence in the program’s future. 

Daily headlines on the looming future of Social Security insolvency and consistent political gridlock federally only serve to exacerbate the distrust. Gen Z has grown up in abnormal times of a global pandemic, financial crises, and deep political polarization—no wonder we have some skepticism.

By 2035, Social Security trust fund reserves are projected to run dry. If no action is taken, Social Security benefits will not stop completely but  only 83% of total benefits will be paid out. Still, for the millions of Americans relying on Social Security paychecks, the impact of a decreased paycheck will be felt strongly. 

The good news? This is a prime moment for young people to jump into the Social Security conversation. Decisions made today will determine whether future generations receive benefits later on, and on what terms. Social Security is not doomed, but it’s important that Gen Z’s perspective is taken into account.

Taking part in this vital conversation doesn’t take policy expertise. Younger voices can make a difference by calling their federal representatives (call US Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121) and staying up to date by subscribing to aging organizational newsletters, like Justice in Aging.

On Social Security’s 90th birthday, every generation has a critical role to play in its future. Young people must step up to the plate and make sure their perspectives help to shape reforms. Lawmakers must be sure not to just listen to us but to welcome us at the table where decisions are made. Social Security is an intergenerational compact. Like the planet, like affordable higher education, we need to protect it. 

Arielle Galinsky is the Chief Executive Officer of The Legacy Project, Inc.,  a national nonprofit that connects college students and older adults in their communities for mutual storytelling, uplifting and documenting life stories. She serves as a CoGen Impact Fellow with CoGenerate, and is an MPP/JD candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School and Yale Law School.