Who Does Social Security Leave Behind?

The Social Security system, including disability insurance, is America’s biggest and most effective social welfare and antipoverty program. Without Social Security, 22.5 million more people would be in poverty, including 16.1 million people aged 65 or older. But not everyone gets the benefits they need and have earned. Researchers have shown that lower-income earners, particularly those without retirement plans or pensions, lose significant Social Security benefits by collecting early due to financial pressures. Still others are ineligible due to the nature of their employment. Other barriers to Social Security include lengthy and complicated forms, issues about digital access, competence, and trust; and discouraging or discriminatory experiences for recipients who are LGBTQ+, gender diverse, immigrants, or formerly incarcerated.