Petition: End Social Security and Return Control to the People

Who is impacted?
All working Americans—whether young or old, disabled or able-bodied—are impacted by the broken Social Security system. The program, which began in 1937 with a tax rate of just 2%, has ballooned to 12.4% today. This steep increase was implemented over time to keep the system afloat as benefits expanded and more people retired. But even now, Social Security is paying out more in benefits than it collects, putting immense pressure on the system.

For younger generations—millennials, Gen Z, and even current workers—the program is unsustainable. By 2037, the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to run out, meaning that all workers and beneficiaries will face reduced payments, with only 77-80% of benefits being paid. Meanwhile, the system requires everyone to keep contributing the same 12.4%—or more, if taxes are raised. Disabled individuals, retirees, and the families of deceased workers all stand to lose significant financial support if no changes are made. This is not just a problem for the future—everyone is already paying into a broken system today.

What is at stake?
Without urgent reform, Social Security will face a major funding shortfall by 2037. To prevent this, experts predict that the Social Security payroll tax will need to increase even further, possibly to 15.8%. This means that workers will have even more of their hard-earned income taken from their paychecks to fund a system that may not be there for them in the future. The potential tax increase will put additional strain on all workers, from those just starting their careers to those nearing retirement, as well as the self-employed, who already pay the full 12.4%.

Raising taxes isn’t the only solution—reducing benefits, raising the retirement age, or eliminating the wage cap on taxable earnings have also been suggested—but none of these options are good for the average American. The reality is that without action, today’s workforce is paying into a system that’s on track to fail, leaving everyone—whether they’re workers, retirees, or disabled individuals—financially vulnerable.

Why is now the time to act?
The Social Security tax rate has already increased from its original 2% to 12.4%, and experts believe it will need to rise again, potentially to 15.8%, to keep the program solvent. With the Trust Fund expected to run dry by 2037, millions of Americans will face major benefit reductions if no changes are made. Raising taxes, cutting benefits, or pushing the retirement age higher will only create more financial stress for workers and families across the country.

Instead of continuing to pour money into a failing system, imagine having control over the 12.4% of your income currently going to Social Security. You could invest it in ways that benefit you personally, rather than relying on a system that is heading for collapse. Whether you’re approaching retirement, living with a disability, or just starting your career, you deserve a choice in how to secure your financial future. It’s time to stop relying on an outdated system that’s running out of money, and allow people to manage their own savings and investments.

By signing this petition, you are calling for the end of Social Security as we know it and the return of financial control to the people. We must stop this unsustainable cycle before it’s too late and push for reforms that give every American the freedom to plan their own financial future. Let’s take action now to end Social Security and give people real control over their money.