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Roughly 68 million Americans receive a Social Security check each month (1). But a new government report suggests those payments could soon shrink — and former GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is sounding the alarm.
“Social Security is going to be broke by 2033. I’ve been trying to tell everyone. It’s less than 7 years away,” Greene wrote in a recent post on X (2).
Greene pointed to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office, which projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund — the program that pays retiree and survivor benefits — will run out of money in 2032 (3).
“At that time, the program would have insufficient funds to pay, on a timely basis, the full amounts that OASI beneficiaries are entitled to under current law,” the report said.
According to the CBO, the shortfall would lead to a reduction in benefits. Payments would drop by 7% in 2032, followed by average cuts of about 28% per year between 2033 and 2036.
Greene argues Washington should prioritize fixing the program before spending elsewhere.
“Instead of funding foreign wars and foreign countries, Social Security needs to be saved!” she wrote, adding that, “If seniors can’t collect their SS check the government should be burned down.”
As of January 2026, the average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker was $2,071 (4). The Social Security Administration has long emphasized that the program was never designed to fully fund retirement — replacing about 40% of a worker’s pre-retirement earnings on average.
In reality, however, many seniors rely on it far more heavily. A 2025 study from The Senior Citizens League found that 39% of America’s seniors depend on Social Security for 100% of their income (5).
If benefits are cut once the trust fund runs out of money, that dependence could make life significantly harder for millions of Americans in retirement.
Ultimately, the long-term future of Social Security depends on decisions made in Washington. But you don’t have to leave your retirement security entirely in lawmakers’ hands. Building additional income streams — especially passive ones — can be a game-changer for financial stability in retirement.
Investing in real estate is widely regarded as a robust strategy for retirement planning due to its potential for generating steady, passive income and capital appreciation over time.
Well-chosen properties can offer a reliable source of rental income, which can be used to cover living expenses in retirement, reducing dependency on traditional retirement savings or Social Security.
At the same time, real estate has proven to be a powerful hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.
Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially with mortgage rates still elevated. And being a landlord isn’t exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns).
The good news? You don’t need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100 — all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is Lightstone DIRECT, which offers accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily and industrial real estate with a minimum investment of $100,000.
Founded in 1986 by David Lichtenstein, Lightstone Group is one of the largest privately held real estate investment firms in the U.S., with more than $12 billion in assets under management.
Over nearly-four decades, their team has delivered strong, risk-adjusted performance across multiple market cycles — including a 27.6% historical net IRR and a 2.54x historical net equity multiple on realized investments since 2004.
Here’s the kicker: Lightstone invests at least 20% of its own capital in every deal — roughly four times the industry average. With skin in the game, the firm ensures its interests are directly aligned with those of its investors.
Whether you’re nearing retirement or already retired, high-yield savings accounts can provide a low-risk way to generate passive income while keeping your funds accessible. These accounts typically offer much higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, allowing your money to grow without needing to lock it away in long-term investments.
To get started, a high-yield account like a Wealthfront Cash Account can be a great place to grow your emergency funds, offering both competitive interest rates and easy access to your cash when you need it.
A Wealthfront Cash Account currently offers a base variable APY of 3.30% and new clients can get a 0.75% boost during their first three months on up to $150,000 for a total APY of 4.05%. That’s ten times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC’s January report.
With no minimum balances or account fees, as well as 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times. Plus, Wealthfront Cash Account balances of up to $8 million are insured by the FDIC through program banks.
At the end of the day, everyone’s financial situation is different — from income levels and investment goals to debt obligations and risk tolerance — which means the best move for someone else might not be the best move for you.
Advisor.com is an online platform that matches you with vetted financial advisors suited to your unique needs. They can help tailor a strategy to your particular financial situation, whether you’re looking to grow wealth, generate passive income or plan for long-term financial security.
Once you’re matched with an advisor, you can book a free consultation with no obligation to hire.
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