'The only people that are going to save us, is us’: Suze Orman says Social Security is in trouble — here’s what you need to do before you retire

The main fund that supports Social Security is projected to run low by 2034, according to the latest trustees report — but it could drain even faster now thanks to the higher benefit payments.

“Social Security's in trouble; we are in trouble. And the only people that are going to save us, is us,” financial expert and podcast host Suze Orman told Moneywise in a recent interview.

Even if there is a bumpy road ahead for Social Security and the U.S. economy, Orman says you still have ways to take control and keep your golden years golden.

Social Security is set to run low by 2034

The Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund has been drying up, partially due to the large drop in birth rates over the last few decades. Less people means less tax revenue to contribute to the fund.

High unemployment during an economic downturn could also “cause a significant worsening in the finances of the Social Security Trust Fund,” according to Mary Johnson, the Social Security and Medicare policy analyst at advocacy group The Senior Citizens League (TSCL).

Once the fund’s reserves are exhausted, you’ll only receive about 77% of your expected benefits unless Congress steps in.

One option to make up for the shortfall would be to increase taxpayer revenue, says the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Orman suggests the government could consider pushing back the minimum age at which you can receive your full Social Security benefits as well. This age is currently 66 or 67, depending on when you were born.

Inflation's impact on savings

Meanwhile, inflation is still rampant and putting a dent in people’s retirement funds.

In fact, Americans say they’ll need $1.25 million in savings to comfortably retire, which is 20% more than they thought they’d need in 2022. Their average retirement savings have dropped 11% from 2021 as well.

“[The government is] seeing savings account levels go down, seeing debt go up, seeing retirement accounts being withdrawn from — and seeing the potential of a problem down the road,” says Orman.

Orman worries the current economic conditions are setting the country up to become a “welfare state.”

“Is the government going to have to take care of most of the people? Because they won't have any money. So how do they solve that problem right now, before it goes in that direction?”

Credit card debt is surging at its fastest year-over-year rate in over 20 years, and it’s more expensive to borrow due to rate hikes.

Despite this year’s COLA being the biggest in four decades, it still may not be enough to counter rapidly rising prices. Seniors received a 5.9% COLA in January, but Johnson estimates the benefit fell short by 50% on average.

“I would say while this is currently a chronic problem every year, yes, indications are that the COLA will not reflect pockets of persistently high inflation affecting retired and disabled Social Security recipients. That puts tens of millions of retirees at risk of continuing to fall behind,” Johnson wrote in a September press release.

She added in an October brief that if the economy turns to deflation next year, there’s also a possibility there will be no COLA payable in 2024.

Preparing for retirement

Inflation has cooled to 3.7%, but it is still keeping the cost of goods and services uncomfortably high for many Americans — but Orman warns not to tap into your retirement accounts to deal with the expenses.

“That is for when you retire. We're living longer right now. So that retirement account has to be bigger.”

She says it is essential that you have an emergency savings account as a buffer for unexpected expenses instead. Most experts generally advise that you set aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses.