Social Security’s trust fund is projected to be drained of reserves in late 2032, threatening a benefit reduction of more than 20%—about $500 a month on average—for tens of millions of retirees and survivor-benefit recipients. Bipartisan lawmakers are advancing procedural and financing proposals, but President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have not backed a specific solution. Options include higher payroll taxes, changes to eligibility and benefit formulas, increased taxation of high earners, and debt-financed investment. The dispute is emerging as a test of Washington’s willingness to make difficult fiscal choices while public debt and Treasury borrowing costs rise.