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AARP Poll Shows Americans Want Congress to Protect Social Security for Future Generations

Support for action spans age groups, political affiliations

Deirdre Shesgreen,

AARP

Published August 14, 2026

A Social Security card with the United States Capitol building on it.

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Key takeaways

A new AARP survey found that 95 percent of U.S. adults view Social Security as an important program.
Support for preserving Social Security's retirement and disability benefits spans age groups and political affiliations.
AARP is pushing Congress to shore up Social Security’s financing without benefit cuts

On its 91st birthday, Social Security remains overwhelmingly popular among U.S. adults across age groups and political affiliations, according to a new AARP survey.

Ninety-five percent of respondents characterized Social Security as an important program, with 82 percent rating it as “very important” and 13 percent saying “somewhat important.”

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In addition, 91 percent of respondents said they want Congress to take steps to protect Social Security for future generations.

The poll comes as lawmakers begin to debate how to address Social Security’s funding shortfall. A June 2026 report from the Social Security Board of Trustees estimates that the surplus in Social Security’s combined trust funds — one for retirement and survivor benefits and the other for disability benefits — will be depleted in 2034 unless Congress acts to buttress the system.

“On the 91st anniversary of the Social Security Act, Americans across generations are sending a clear message: Protect, strengthen and preserve Social Security,” AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan said in an Aug. 14 statement. “No cuts. No privatization.”

Support crosses age, party lines

The poll shows that Americans want Congress to ensure younger generations get the Social Security benefits they are earning through payroll taxes — with support getting stronger with age. Ninety-seven percent of respondents age 65-plus agreed with that statement, compared with 93 percent of those 50 to 64 and 87 percent of those 18 to 49.

Bill Sweeney, AARP’s senior vice president for government affairs, said the poll shows that older Americans want to protect Social Security for their kids and grandkids, not just for themselves. "It pokes a hole in this whole ‘generational conflict’ thing,” he said.

The survey also shows that most Americans understand the key safeguards Social Security provides, such as helping retirees afford basic living expenses and remain financially independent, and that even bigger majorities — around 85 percent of independents, 90 percent of Republicans and 95 percent of Democrats — support maintaining those protections for future generations.

The same holds true when it comes to disability benefits, with 97 percent of Democrats, 92 percent of Republicans and 85 percent of independents agreeing that current protections for people sidelined from work by a serious medical condition should remain in place.

Retirees more reliant on Social Security

In July 2026, more than 71 million Americans — including nearly 55 million retired workers and 7 million people with disabilities — received Social Security payments. The average benefit for retired workers in that month was $2,086, and the average Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payment was $1,635.

AARP is urging Congress to shore up Social Security’s financing without cuts to benefits and to craft legislative solutions in a full and transparent way.

For much of the 20th century, financial security in retirement was predicated on Social Security, pensions and individual savings. Today, far fewer private sector employers offer pensions, and many Americans have not accumulated enough in retirement accounts such as 401(k)s or IRAs to safeguard their financial security after they stop working. That means a greater number need Social Security to pay rent, buy groceries and secure other necessities as they age.

Minter-Jordan noted that Social Security lifts tens of millions of older Americans out of poverty each month and contributes more than $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy every year.

Social Security payments are primarily funded by payroll taxes levied on most U.S. workers and their employers. Without Congress acting by 2034 to avert the trust funds’ shortfall — by increasing revenue, reducing outlays for benefit payments or a combination of both — the money flowing into Social Security will cover only about 83 percent of scheduled payments.

“Social Security is a commitment to today’s retirees and future generations that Congress must not break,” Minter Jordan said in her statement. “Americans have paid into Social Security throughout their working lives, trusting that it would be there when they need it. AARP will continue fighting to uphold that promise for today’s retirees, tomorrow’s retirees and every generation counting on Social Security.”

The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Deirdre Shesgreen is an AARP writer and editor covering Social Security. She previously worked as a state news editor for the AARP Bulletin and as a reporter and editor at USA Today, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other publications.

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