Trustees project fertility rising to 1.9 by 2040s, but Census and CBO expect continued decline: Social Security Trustees assume U.S. fertility will rise from current record-low 1.6 children per woman, but Census Bureau and Congressional Budget Office project fertility will continue declining — by 2100, SSA projects fertility 30% higher than both peer agencies, creating "overly optimistic" workforce assumptions.

Realistic fertility rates put 75-year shortfall at $30 trillion, not $27 trillion: If fertility follows CBO or Census projections instead of Trustees' forecasts, Social Security's 75-year deficit rises to at least $30 trillion — that's $3 trillion bigger than official projections, nearly equal to entire $31 trillion publicly held federal debt, because "higher assumed fertility means more future workers paying taxes to finance benefits and thus smaller projected shortfall."

Insolvency date moved to 2032, trust fund can only pay 77% of benefits: Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund now projected to face depletion in 2032 (moved up from 2033 last year) due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with enhanced tax deduction for older Americans — AARP research shows 37% of older adults feel financially insecure, 61% say $2,000/month Social Security not enough, and 69% say prices rising faster than income.

Retirement earnings test (RET) reduces benefits for early claimers — bill would eliminate it entirely: Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Greg Murphy introduced legislation to do away with RET, which was passed during Great Depression "to push older Americans out of workforce and free up jobs for younger Americans" — Scott says "we shouldn't expect our seniors to be punished today by outdated policies passed then."

Current RET thresholds: $24,480 under full retirement age, $65,160 in year reaching FRA: For 2026, if earning over $24,480, $1 in benefits withheld for every $2 over threshold — those reaching FRA in 2026 can earn up to $65,160/year with $1 withheld for every $3 for months before birthday — once reach full retirement age, no earnings cap and benefits no longer reduced.

Withheld benefits recalculated at full retirement age: Beneficiaries affected by RET have their benefits recalculated once they reach full retirement age and "receive credit for the months their benefits were reduced" — bill currently in Senate Committee on Finance and House Ways and Means Committee.

Three retirement benefit payments in June on Wednesdays by birth date: June 10 for birth dates 1st-10th, June 17 for birth dates 11th-20th, June 24 for birth dates 21st-31st — note that June payment reflects May benefits (June benefits paid in July) — payments sent to older/retired recipients primarily.

SSI recipients get one June payment on June 1, then two in July: Supplemental Security Income recipients receive payment June 1, then July 1 and July 31 — full 2026 SSI schedule also includes September 1, October 1, October 30, December 1, and December 31.

If payment missing, contact bank first, then SSA: Social Security Administration recommends checking with your bank or financial institution first for delays — if no delay found, call 1-800-772-1213 or contact local Social Security office — you can also use Social Security calculator to estimate your monthly benefits.