112th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 112-102

THE 2012 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF 

TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL OLD-AGE AND SURVIVORS 

INSURANCE AND FEDERAL DISABILITY INSURANCE 

TRUST FUNDS

COMMUNICATION

FROM

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, FEDERAL OLD-AGE AND 

SURVIVORS INSURANCE AND FEDERAL DISABILITY 

INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

TRANSMITTING

THE 2012 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE 

FEDERAL OLD-AGE AND SURVIVORS INSURANCE AND FEDERAL 

DISABILITY INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

April 25, 2012.—Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

 and ordered to be printed

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

73-947 WASHINGTON: 2012
.

.
CONTENTS

(V)

I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

II. OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A. HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

B. TRUST FUND FINANCIAL OPERATIONS IN 2011 . . . . . . . 6

C. ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

D. PROJECTIONS OF FUTURE FINANCIAL STATUS . . . . . . . 9

E. CONCLUSION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

III. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF THE TRUST FUNDS AND

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES IN THE LAST YEAR . . . . . . . . . . 23

A. OPERATIONS OF THE OLD-AGE AND SURVIVORS 

INSURANCE (OASI) AND DISABILITY INSURANCE (DI) 

TRUST FUNDS, IN CALENDAR YEAR 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

1. OASI Trust Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

2. DI Trust Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3. OASI and DI Trust Funds, Combined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

B. SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS SINCE THE 

2011 REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

IV. ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

A. SHORT-RANGE ESTIMATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

1. Operations of the OASI Trust Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

2. Operations of the DI Trust Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

3. Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds . . . . . 42

4. Factors Underlying Changes in 10-Year Trust Fund Ratio 

Estimates From the 2011 Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

B. LONG-RANGE ESTIMATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

1. Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances . . . . . . . . . . 46

2. Comparison of Workers to Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

3. Trust Fund Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

4. Summarized Income Rates, Summarized Cost Rates, 

and Actuarial Balances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

5. Additional Measures of OASDI Unfunded Obligations . . . . . 64

6. Test of Long-Range Close Actuarial Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

7. Reasons for Change in Actuarial Balance From Last Report . . 71
(VI)

V. ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS UNDERLYING

ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

A. DEMOGRAPHIC ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS . . . . . . . 77

1. Fertility Assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

2. Mortality Assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

3. Immigration Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

4. Total Population Estimates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

5. Life Expectancy Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

B. ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS . . . . . . . . . . . 92

1. Productivity Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

2. Price Inflation Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

3. Average Earnings Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

4. Assumed Real-Wage Differentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

5. Labor Force and Unemployment Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

6. Gross Domestic Product Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

7. Interest Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

C. PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS . . . 107

1. Automatically Adjusted Program Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

2. Covered Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

3. Insured Population. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

4. Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . 118

5. Disability Insurance Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

6. Covered and Taxable Earnings, Taxable Payroll, and 

Payroll Tax Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

7. Income From Taxation of Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

8. Average Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

9. Benefit Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

10. Illustrative Scheduled Benefit Amounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

11. Administrative Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

12. Railroad Retirement Financial Interchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

13. Military Service Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
(VII)

VI. APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

A. HISTORY OF OASI AND DI TRUST FUND OPERATIONS. . 145

B. HISTORY OF ACTUARIAL STATUS ESTIMATES . . . . . . . . 156

C. FISCAL YEAR HISTORICAL DATA AND

PROJECTIONS THROUGH 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

D. LONG-RANGE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

1. Total Fertility Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

2. Death Rates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

3. Net Immigration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

4. Real-Wage Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

5. Consumer Price Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

6. Real Interest Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

7. Disability Incidence Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

8. Disability Termination Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

E. STOCHASTIC PROJECTIONS AND UNCERTAINTY . . . . . . 179

1. Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

2. Stochastic Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

3. Stochastic Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

4. Comparison of Results: Stochastic to Low-Cost, Intermediate, 

and High-Cost Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

F. ESTIMATES FOR OASDI AND HI, SEPARATE AND 

COMBINED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

1. Estimates as a Percentage of Taxable Payroll. . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

2. Estimates as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product . . . . . . 195

3. Estimates in Dollars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

G. ANALYSIS OF BENEFIT DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE 

OASI TRUST FUND WITH RESPECT TO DISABLED 

BENEFICIARIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

H. GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

INDEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

STATEMENT OF ACTUARIAL OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

THE 2012 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF

TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL OLD-AGE AND

SURVIVORS INSURANCE AND FEDERAL DISABILITY

INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

I. INTRODUCTION

The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program makes

monthly income available to insured workers and their families at retirement,

death, or disability. The OASDI program consists of two parts. Retired workers, their families, and survivors of deceased workers receive monthly benefits under the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) program. Disabled

workers and their families receive monthly benefits under the Disability

Insurance (DI) program.

The Social Security Act established the Board of Trustees to oversee the

financial operations of the OASI and DI Trust Funds. The Board is composed of six members. Four members serve by virtue of their positions in the

Federal Government: the Secretary of the Treasury, who is the Managing

Trustee; the Secretary of Labor; the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and the Commissioner of Social Security. The President appoints and

the Senate confirms the other two members to serve as public representatives. The Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

(SSA) serves as Secretary of the Board.

The Social Security Act requires that the Board, among other duties, report

annually to the Congress on the actuarial status and financial operations of

the OASI and DI Trust Funds. The 2012 report is the 72nd such report.
Overview

2

II. OVERVIEW

A. HIGHLIGHTS

This section summarizes the report’s major findings.

In 2011

At the end of 2011, the OASDI program was providing benefits to about 55

million people: 38 million retired workers and dependents of retired workers,

6 million survivors of deceased workers, and 11 million disabled workers

and dependents of disabled workers. During the year, an estimated 158 million people had earnings covered by Social Security and paid payroll taxes.

Total expenditures in 2011 were $736 billion. Total income was $805 billion,

which consisted of $691 billion in non-interest income and $114 billion in

interest earnings. Assets held in special issue U.S. Treasury securities grew

to $2.7 trillion.

Short-Range Results

In 2011, Social Security’s cost continued to exceed both the program’s tax

income and its non-interest income, a trend that the Trustees project to continue throughout the short-range period and beyond. The 2011 deficit of tax

income relative to cost was $148 billion, and the projected 2012 deficit is

$165 billion. The sizes of these deficits are largely due to a temporary reduction in the Social Security payroll tax for 2011 and 2012. The legislation

establishing the payroll tax reduction also provided for transfers from the

General Fund of the Treasury to the trust funds to “replicate to the extent

possible” revenues that would have occurred in the absence of the payroll tax

reduction. Including these general revenue reimbursements, the 2011 deficit

of non-interest income relative to cost was $45 billion, and the projected

2012 deficit is $53 billion.

The Trustees project that the assets of the OASI Trust Fund and of the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds will be adequate over the next 10 years

under the intermediate assumptions. However, the projected assets of the DI

Trust Fund decline steadily, fall below 100 percent of annual cost by the

beginning of 2013, and continue to decline until the trust fund is exhausted in

2016. The DI Trust Fund does not satisfy the short-range test of financial

adequacy because the test requires that the trust fund remain above 100 percent of annual cost throughout the short-range period.

The Trustees project that the combined assets of the OASI and DI Trust

Funds will increase for the next several years, growing from $2,678 billion at

the beginning of 2012 to $3,061 billion at the beginning of 2021. At the same
3

Highlights

time, the ratio of assets to cost continues to decline, from 340 percent of

annual cost for 2012 to 227 percent of annual cost for 2021. Assets increase

because annual cost is less than total income for 2012 through 2020. Beginning in 2021, however, annual cost exceeds total income, and therefore

assets begin to decline, reaching $3,053 billion at the beginning of 2022.

Excluding interest earned on trust fund assets from the comparison, annual

cost exceeds non-interest income in 2012 and remains higher throughout the

remainder of the short-range period. For last year’s report, the Trustees projected that combined assets would be 347 percent of annual cost at the beginning of 2012 and 272 percent at the beginning of 2021. Projected trust fund

assets decline more quickly than in last year’s report principally due to

updated economic data and assumptions.

Long-Range Results

The Trustees project that annual cost will exceed non-interest income

throughout the long-range period under the intermediate assumptions. The

dollar level of the combined trust funds declines beginning in 2021 until

assets are exhausted in 2033. Considered separately, the DI Trust Fund

becomes exhausted in 2016 and the OASI Trust Fund becomes exhausted in

2035. The projected exhaustion date occurs two years earlier for the DI Trust

Fund and three years earlier for the OASI Trust Fund and the combined

OASI and DI Trust Funds.

Projected OASDI cost generally increases more rapidly than projected noninterest income through 2035 because the retirement of the baby-boom generation will increase the number of beneficiaries much faster than subsequent

lower-birth-rate generations increase the number of workers. From 2035 to

2050, the cost rate declines due principally to the aging of the already retired

baby-boom generation. Thereafter, increases in life expectancy cause OASDI

cost to increase generally relative to non-interest income, but more slowly

than prior to 2035.

The projected OASDI annual cost rate increases from 13.83 percent of taxable payroll for 2012 to 17.41 percent for 2035 and to 17.83 percent for

2086, a level that is 4.50 percent of taxable payroll more than the projected

income rate for 2086. For last year’s report, the Trustees estimated the

OASDI cost for 2086 at 17.59 percent, or 4.28 percent of payroll more than

the annual income rate for that year. Expressed in relation to the projected

gross domestic product (GDP), OASDI cost rises from the current level of

5.0 percent of GDP to about 6.4 percent by 2035, then declines to 6.1 percent

by 2055, and remains between 6.0 and 6.1 percent through 2086.
Overview

4

For the 75-year projection period, the actuarial deficit is 2.67 percent of taxable payroll, 0.44 percentage point larger than in last year’s report. The open

group unfunded obligation for OASDI over the 75-year period is $8.6 trillion

in present value and is $2.1 trillion more than the measured level of a year

ago. If the assumptions, methods, starting values, and the law had all

remained unchanged, the unfunded obligation would have risen to about $7.0

trillion due to the change in the valuation date. The remaining increase in the

unfunded obligation is primarily due to updated data and economic assumptions.

Conclusion

Under the long-range intermediate assumptions, the Trustees project that

annual cost for the OASDI program will exceed non-interest income in 2012

and remain higher throughout the remainder of the long-range period. The

projected combined OASI and DI Trust Fund assets increase through 2020,

begin to decline in 2021, and become exhausted and unable to pay scheduled

benefits in full on a timely basis in 2033. However, the DI Trust Fund

becomes exhausted in 2016, so legislative action is needed as soon as possible. In the absence of a long-term solution, lawmakers could reallocate the

payroll tax rate between OASI and DI, as they did in 1994.

For the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds to remain solvent throughout the

75-year projection period, lawmakers could: (1) increase the combined payroll tax rate for the period in a manner equivalent to an immediate and permanent increase of 2.61 percentage points (from its current level of 12.40

percent to 15.01 percent);1 (2) reduce scheduled benefits for the period in a

manner equivalent to an immediate and permanent reduction of 16.2 percent;

(3) draw on alternative sources of revenue; or (4) adopt some combination of

these approaches. Lawmakers would have to make significantly larger

changes for future beneficiaries if they decide to avoid changes for current

beneficiaries and those close to retirement age.

The Trustees recommend that lawmakers address the projected trust fund

shortfalls in a timely way in order to phase in necessary changes and give

workers and beneficiaries time to adjust to them. Implementing changes soon

would allow more generations to share in the needed revenue increases or

reductions in scheduled benefits. Social Security will play a critical role in

 1 The necessary tax rate increase of 2.61 percent differs from the 2.67 percent actuarial deficit for two reasons. First, the necessary tax rate is the rate required to maintain solvency throughout the period that does

not result in any trust fund reserve at the end of the period, whereas the actuarial deficit incorporates an ending trust fund balance equal to 1 year’s cost. Second, the necessary tax rate reflects a behavioral response to

tax rate changes, whereas the actuarial deficit does not. In particular, the calculation of the necessary tax rate

assumes that an increase in payroll taxes results in a small shift of wages and salaries to forms of employee

compensation that are not subject to the payroll tax.
5

Highlights

the lives of 56 million beneficiaries and 159 million covered workers and

their families in 2012. With informed discussion, creative thinking, and

timely legislative action, Social Security can continue to protect future generations.
Overview

6

B. TRUST FUND FINANCIAL OPERATIONS IN 2011

Table II.B1 shows the income, expenditures, and assets for the OASI, the DI,

and the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds in calendar year 2011.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

In 2011, net payroll tax contributions accounted for 70 percent of total trust

fund income. Net payroll tax contributions consist of taxes paid by employees, employers, and the self-employed on earnings covered by Social Security. These taxes are paid on covered earnings up to a specified maximum

annual amount, which was $106,800 in 2011. Table II.B2 shows the tax rates

scheduled under current law for 2011.

In 2011, approximately 13 percent of OASDI Trust Fund income came from

reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury. Public Law 111-312,

the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation

Act of 2010, accounts for almost all of the reimbursement for the year. This

act specified general fund reimbursement for temporary reductions in revenue due to reduced payroll tax rates for employees and for self-employed

workers.

Three percent of OASDI Trust Fund income in 2011 came from subjecting

up to 50 percent of Social Security benefits above specified levels to Federal

personal income taxation, and 14 percent of OASDI income came from interest earned on investment of OASDI Trust Fund reserves. The Department of

the Treasury invests trust fund assets in interest-bearing securities of the U.S.

Table II.B1.—Summary of 2011 Trust Fund Financial Operations

[In billions]

OASI DI OASDI

Assets at the end of 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,429.0 $179.9 $2,609.0

Total income in 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698.8 106.3 805.1

Net payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482.4 81.9 564.2

Reimbursements from General Fund of the Treasury . . 87.8 14.9 102.7

Taxation of benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.2 1.6 23.8

Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.5 7.9 114.4

Total expenditures in 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603.8 132.3 736.1

Benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 596.2 128.9 725.1

Railroad Retirement financial interchange . . . . . . . . . . 4.1 .5 4.6

Administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 2.9 6.4

Net increase in assets in 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95.0 -26.1 69.0

Assets at the end of 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,524.1 153.9 2,677.9
7

Calendar Year 2011 Operations

Government. In 2011, the combined trust fund assets earned interest at an

effective annual rate of 4.4 percent. Almost 99 percent of expenditures from

the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds in 2011 were retirement, survivor,

and disability benefits totaling $725.1 billion. The financial interchange with

the Railroad Retirement program was the source of a net payment of $4.6

billion from the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, which was about 0.6

percent of total expenditures. The administrative expenses of the Social

Security program were $6.4 billion, which was about 0.9 percent of total

expenditures. 

Assets of the trust funds provide a reserve to pay benefits whenever total program cost exceeds income. Trust fund assets increased by $69.0 billion in

2011 because total income to the combined funds, including interest earned

on trust fund assets, exceeded total expenditures. At the end of 2011, the

combined assets of the OASI and the DI Trust Funds were 340 percent of

estimated expenditures for 2012, down from an actual level of 354 percent at

the end of 2010.

Note: Public Law 111-312 reduced the OASDI payroll tax rate for 2011 by 2 percentage points for employees and for self-employed workers. This law required that the General Fund of the Treasury reimburse the

OASI and DI Trust Funds for these temporary reductions in 2011 payroll tax revenue.

Table II.B2.—Payroll Tax Contribution Rates for 2011

[In percent]

OASI DI OASDI

Payroll tax contribution rate for employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.59 0.61 4.20

Payroll tax contribution rate for employers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.30 .90 6.20

Payroll tax contribution rate for self-employed persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.89 1.51 10.40
Overview

8

C. ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE

The future income and expenditures of the OASI and DI Trust Funds will

depend on many factors, including the size and characteristics of the population receiving benefits, the level of monthly benefit amounts, the size of the

workforce, and the level of covered workers’ earnings. These factors will

depend in turn on future birth rates, death rates, immigration, marriage and

divorce rates, retirement-age patterns, disability incidence and termination

rates, employment rates, productivity gains, wage increases, inflation, interest rates, and many other demographic, economic, and program-specific factors.

Table II.C1 presents key demographic and economic assumptions for three

alternative scenarios. The intermediate assumptions reflect the Trustees’ best

estimates of future experience. Therefore, most of the figures in this overview depict only the outcomes under the intermediate assumptions. Any projection of the future is, of course, uncertain. For this reason, the Trustees also

present results under low-cost and high-cost alternatives to provide a range

of possible future experience. The actual future costs are unlikely to be as

extreme as those portrayed by the low-cost and high-cost projections. A separate section on the uncertainty of the projections, beginning on page 16,

highlights the implications of these alternative scenarios.

The Trustees reexamine the assumptions each year in light of recent experience and new information. This annual review helps to ensure that the Trustees’ assumptions provide the best estimate of future possibilities.

Table II.C1.—Long-Range Valuesa of Key Demographic and Economic Assumptions

for the 75-year Projection Period

a See chapter V for details, including historical values and projected values.

Long-range assumptions Intermediate Low-cost High-cost

Total fertility rate (children per woman), starting in 2036. . . . . . 2.0 2.3 1.7

Average annual percentage reduction in total age-sex-adjusted 

death rates from 2011 to 2086. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 .39 1.18

Average annual net immigration (in thousands) for years 

2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,080 1,375 790

Productivity (total U.S. economy), starting in 2024 . . . . . . . . . . 1.68 1.98 1.38

Average annual percentage change in average wage in covered 

employment from 2021 to 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.92 3.51 4.31

Consumer Price Index (CPI), starting in 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.80 1.80 3.80

Average annual real-wage differential (percent) for years 

2022-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.12 1.71 .51

Unemployment rate (percent), starting in 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 4.5 6.5

Annual trust fund real interest rate (percent), starting in 2022 . . 2.9 3.4 2.4
9

Future Financial Status

D. PROJECTIONS OF FUTURE FINANCIAL STATUS

Short-Range Actuarial Estimates

For the short-range period (2012 through 2021), the Trustees measure financial adequacy by comparing projected assets at the beginning of each year to

projected program cost for that year under the intermediate set of assumptions. A trust fund ratio of 100 percent or more—that is, assets at the beginning of each year at least equal to projected cost for the year—is a good

indication that the trust fund can cover most short-term contingencies. The

projected trust fund ratios under the intermediate assumptions for OASI

alone, and for OASI and DI combined, exceed 100 percent throughout the

short-range period. Therefore, OASI and OASDI satisfy the Trustees’ shortterm test of financial adequacy. However, the DI Trust Fund fails the Trustees’ short-term test of financial adequacy. The Trustees project that the DI

trust fund ratio will fall below 100 percent by the beginning of 2013. After

2013, the projected DI trust fund ratio continues to decline until the trust

fund is exhausted in 2016. Figure II.D1 shows that the trust fund ratios for

the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds decline consistently after 2010.

 Figure II.D1.—Short-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratio

[Assets as a percentage of annual expenditures]

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

250%

300%

350%

400%

450%

500%

2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021

Calendar year

Historical Estimated

"Minimum" level for short-term financial adequacy
Overview

10

As it has since 2010, projected cost exceeds non-interest income throughout

the short-range period. Cost is less than total income until the last year of the

short-range period (2021), when cost exceeds total income. While trust fund

assets continue to grow through 2020, they grow more slowly than cost,

causing the trust fund ratio to decline, as shown in figure II.D1.

Long-Range Actuarial Estimates

The Trustees use three types of measures to assess the actuarial status of the

program over the next 75 years: (1) annual cash-flow measures, including

income rates, cost rates, and balances; (2) trust fund ratios; and (3) summary

measures such as actuarial balances and open group unfunded obligations.

The Trustees most often express these measures as percentages of taxable

payroll, but may also express the measures as percentages of gross domestic

product (GDP) or in dollars. The Trustees also present summary measures

over the infinite horizon.1 The infinite horizon values provide an additional

indication of Social Security’s very-long-run financial condition, but are subject to much greater uncertainty.

Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances

Figure II.D2 illustrates the year-by-year relationship among OASDI income

(excluding interest), cost (including scheduled benefits), and expenditures

(including payable benefits) for the full 75-year period. The figure shows all

values as percentages of taxable payroll. Under the intermediate assumptions, demographic factors would by themselves cause the projected cost rate

to rise rapidly for the next two decades before leveling off in about 2035.

However, the recent recession led to a reduction in the tax base and a surge in

beneficiaries, which in turn sharply increased the cost rate. This recession

effect obscures the underlying rising trend in the cost rate for the next 5

years. The projected income rate is stable at about 13 percent throughout the

75-year period.

Annual OASDI cost exceeded non-interest income in 2010 for the first time

since 1983. The Trustees project that cost will continue to exceed non-interest income throughout the 75-year valuation period. Nevertheless, total trust

fund income, including interest income, is more than is necessary to cover

costs through 2020, so trust fund assets continue to grow. Beginning in 2021,

cost exceeds total income and combined OASI and DI Trust Fund assets

diminish until they become exhausted in 2033. After trust fund exhaustion,

 1 The definition of infinite horizon appears in the Glossary.
11

Future Financial Status

continuing income is sufficient to support expenditures at a level of 75 percent of program cost for the rest of 2033, declining to 73 percent for 2086.

Figure II.D3 shows the estimated number of workers per beneficiary. Figures

II.D2 and II.D3 illustrate the inverse relationship between cost rates and the

number of workers per beneficiary. In particular, the projected future

increase in the cost rate reflects a projected decline in the number of covered

workers per beneficiary. There were about 2.9 workers for every OASDI

beneficiary in 2011. This ratio had been extremely stable, remaining between

3.2 and 3.4 from 1974 through 2008, and has declined since then due to the

economic recession and the beginning of the demographic shift that will

drive this ratio over the next 20 years. The Trustees project that the ratio of

workers to beneficiaries will continue to decline, even as the economy recovers, due to this demographic shift—as workers of lower-birth-rate generations replace workers of the baby-boom generation. The ratio of workers to

beneficiaries reaches 2.0 by 2035 when the baby-boom generation will have

largely retired, with a further gradual decline thereafter due to increasing longevity.

 Figure II.D2.—OASDI Income, Cost, and Expenditures as Percentages of Taxable Payroll

[Under Intermediate Assumptions]

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Cost: Scheduled and 

payable benefits

Income

Payable benefits as percent

of scheduled benefits:

2011-32: 100%

2033: 75%

2086: 73%

Cost: Scheduled but not 

fully payable benefits

Expenditures: Payable benefits = income 

after trust fund exhaustion in 2033
Overview

12

Another important way to look at Social Security’s future is to view its

annual cost and non-interest income as a share of U.S. economic output. As

shown in figure II.D4, the Trustees project that Social Security’s cost as a

percent of GDP will grow from 4.4 percent in 2008 to about 6.4 percent by

2035, then decline to 6.1 percent by 2055, and remain between 6.0 and 6.1

percent through 2086. As the economy recovers, Social Security’s non-interest income, which reflects scheduled tax rates, increases from its current

level of about 4.7 percent of GDP to about 4.9 percent of GDP for 2021.

Thereafter, non-interest income as a percent of GDP declines gradually, to

about 4.6 percent by 2086, because the Trustees expect the share of

employee compensation provided in noncovered fringe benefits to increase

gradually.

 Figure II.D3.—Number of Covered Workers Per OASDI Beneficiary

0

1

2

3

4

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Historical Estimated
13

Future Financial Status

Trust Fund Ratios

The trust fund ratio is defined as the assets at the beginning of a year

expressed as a percentage of the cost during the year. The trust fund ratio

thus represents the proportion of a year’s cost which could be paid solely

with the assets at the beginning of the year. Table II.D1 displays the projected maximum trust fund ratios during the long-range period for the OASI,

DI, and combined funds. The table also shows the year of maximum projected trust fund ratio during the long-range projection period (2012-86) and

the year of trust fund exhaustion. While the trust fund ratio for 2012 is the

highest for this period, the trust fund ratio was higher for some earlier years.

 Figure II.D4.—OASDI Cost and Non-interest Income as a Percentage of GDP

Table II.D1.—Projected Maximum Trust Fund Ratios During the Long-Range Period

and Trust Fund Exhaustion Dates

[Under the Intermediate Assumptions]

OASI DI OASDI

Maximum trust fund ratio (percent). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390 109 340

Year attained. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012 2012 2012

Year of trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2035 2016 2033

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Non-interest Income

Historical Estimated

Cost
Overview

14

Summary Measures

The actuarial balance is a summary measure of the program’s financial status

through the end of the 75-year valuation period. The actuarial balance measure includes the trust fund assets at the beginning of the period, so it is

essentially the difference between the income and cost from 1937 through

the end of the valuation period. The Trustees express actuarial balance as a

percentage of the taxable payroll for the valuation period, and refer to a negative actuarial balance as an actuarial deficit. In other words, the actuarial

deficit is the percentage that could be added to the current-law income rate

for each of the next 75 years, or subtracted from the cost rate for each year, to

make the trust fund assets at the end of the period equal to the following

year’s projected cost. More generally, the actuarial deficit is the average

amount of change in income or cost that is needed throughout the valuation

period in order to achieve actuarial balance. In this report, the actuarial deficit for the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds under the intermediate

assumptions is 2.67 percent of taxable payroll. The actuarial deficit was 2.22

percent in the 2011 report. If the assumptions, methods, starting values, and

the law had all remained unchanged from last year, the actuarial deficit

would have increased to 2.28 percent of payroll solely due to advancing the

valuation period by 1 year.

Another way to illustrate the projected financial shortfall of the OASDI program is to examine the cumulative present value of scheduled income less

cost. Figure II.D5 shows the present value of cumulative OASDI income less

cost from the inception of the program through years 2011-86. A positive

cumulative value represents the level of trust fund assets at the end of the

selected year. A negative value is the unfunded obligation through the

selected year. The balance of the combined trust funds was $2.7 trillion at the

end of 2011. The trust fund assets decline on a present value basis after 2011,

but remain positive through 2032. However, after 2032 this cumulative

amount becomes negative, which means that the combined OASI and DI

Trust Funds have a net unfunded obligation through each year after 2032.

Through the end of 2086, the combined funds have a present-value unfunded

obligation of $8.6 trillion. This unfunded obligation represents 2.52 percent

of taxable payroll and 0.9 percent of GDP for the 75-year valuation period.

The unfunded obligation as a share of taxable payroll (2.52 percent) and the

actuarial deficit (2.67 percent) are similar measures, but differ because the

actuarial deficit incorporates the cost of having an ending trust fund balance

equal to 1 year’s cost.
15

Future Financial Status

Figures II.D2, II.D4, and II.D5 show that the program’s financial condition is

worsening at the end of the projection period. Trends in annual balances and

cumulative values toward the end of the 75-year period provide an indication

of the program’s ability to maintain solvency beyond 75 years. Consideration

of summary measures alone for a 75-year period can lead to incorrect perceptions and to policy prescriptions that do not achieve sustainable solvency.1

The Trustees also consider summary measures over the infinite horizon. The

infinite horizon values provide an additional indication of Social Security’s

financial condition over a period extending indefinitely into the future, but

results are subject to much greater uncertainty.

Extending the horizon beyond 75 years increases the measured unfunded

obligation. Through the infinite horizon, the unfunded obligation, or shortfall, equals $20.5 trillion in present value, which represents 3.9 percent of

future taxable payroll or 1.3 percent of future GDP. The summarized short-

 1 Sustainable solvency occurs when the program has positive trust fund ratios throughout the 75-year projection period that are either stable or rising at the end of the period.

 Figure II.D5.—Cumulative Scheduled OASDI Income Less Cost,

From Program Inception Through Years 2011-86

[Present value as of January 1, 2012, in trillions]

-$9

-$7

-$5

-$3

-$1

$1

$3

2011 2026 2041 2056 2071 2086

Ending year of accumulation

Unfunded 

obligation

(negative)

Trust fund 

assets

(positive)

2033
Overview

16

falls for the 75-year period and through the infinite horizon both reflect

annual cash-flow shortfalls for all years after trust fund exhaustion. The

annual shortfalls after trust fund exhaustion rise slowly and reflect increases

in life expectancy after 2033. The summarized shortfalls for the 75-year

period, as percentages of taxable payroll and GDP, are lower than those for

the infinite horizon principally because only about three-quarters of the years

in the 75-year period have unfunded annual shortfalls.

The measured unfunded obligation over the infinite horizon increased from

$17.9 trillion in last year’s report to $20.5 trillion in this year’s report. If the

assumptions, methods, starting values, and the law had all remained

unchanged, the unfunded obligation over the infinite horizon would have

risen to $18.7 trillion solely due to the change in the valuation date.

Expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll, the measured unfunded obligation through the infinite horizon increased from 3.6 percent in last year’s

report to 3.9 percent in this year’s report. As a percentage of GDP, the measured unfunded obligation through the infinite horizon increased from 1.2

percent in last year’s report to 1.3 percent in this year’s report.

Uncertainty of the Projections

Significant uncertainty surrounds the intermediate assumptions. The Trustees

use several methods to help illustrate that uncertainty.

A first approach uses alternative scenarios reflecting low-cost (alternative I)

and high-cost (alternative III) sets of assumptions. Figure II.D6 shows the

projected trust fund ratios for the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds under

the intermediate, low-cost, and high-cost assumptions. The low-cost alternative includes a higher ultimate total fertility rate, slower improvement in

mortality, a higher real-wage differential, a higher ultimate real interest rate,

and a lower unemployment rate. The high-cost alternative, in contrast,

includes a lower ultimate total fertility rate, more rapid improvement in mortality, a lower real-wage differential, a lower ultimate real interest rate, and a

higher unemployment rate. These alternatives are not intended to suggest

that all parameters would be likely to differ from the intermediate values in

the same direction, but are intended to illustrate the effect of clearly defined

scenarios that are, on balance, very favorable or unfavorable for the program’s financial status. Actual future costs are unlikely to be as extreme as

those portrayed by the low-cost and high-cost projections. The method for

constructing the low-cost and high-cost projections does not lend itself to

estimating the probability that actual experience will lie within or outside the

range they define.
17

Future Financial Status

Appendix D of this report presents long-range sensitivity analysis for the

OASDI program. By varying one parameter at a time, sensitivity analysis

provides a second approach for illustrating the uncertainty surrounding projections into the future.

A third approach uses stochastic simulations that reflect randomly assigned

annual values for each parameter. These simulations produce a distribution

of projections and corresponding probabilities that future outcomes will fall

within or outside a given range. The results of the stochastic simulations, discussed in more detail in appendix E, suggest that trust fund exhaustion (i.e.

the point at which the trust fund ratio reaches zero) is likely by mid-century.

In particular, figure II.D7 suggests that based on these stochastic simulations,

trust fund assets will exhaust between 2029 and 2041 with a 95-percent probability.

The stochastic results suggest that trust fund ratios as high as the low-cost

alternative are unlikely. The difference in the ranges of the projected trust

fund ratios between two of the methods for illustrating uncertainty (alternative scenarios and stochastic simulations) is substantially due to the different

assignment of real interest rates in these two methods. Appendix E includes

an explanation of the different treatments.

 Figure II.D6.—Long-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratios Under Alternative Scenarios

[Assets as a percentage of annual cost]

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

500%

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Historical Estimated

III II

I
Overview

18

Changes From Last Year’s Report

The projected long-range OASDI actuarial deficit increased from 2.22 percent of taxable payroll for last year’s report to 2.67 percent of taxable payroll

for this year’s report. Changes in economic projections, due to new starting

values and revised assumptions, are the most significant of several factors

contributing to the increase in the deficit. For a detailed description of the

specific changes identified in table II.D2, see section IV.B.7.

 Figure II.D7.—Long-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratios From Stochastic Modeling

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

500%

2012 2027 2042 2057 2072 2087

Projection year

50%

97.5%

2.5%

90%

10%
19

Future Financial Status

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

The open group unfunded obligation for the 75-year projection period

increased from $6.5 trillion (present discounted value as of January 1, 2011)

to $8.6 trillion (present discounted value as of January 1, 2012). The

unfunded obligation increased by about $0.5 trillion solely due to advancing

the valuation date by 1 year and including the year 2086. The combination of

legislative changes, changes in methods, revisions in assumptions, and

updated data increased the unfunded obligation by about $1.6 trillion.

This year’s projections of annual balances (non-interest income minus cost)

are lower than those in last year’s report throughout the 75-year projection

period. See figure II.D8.

Table II.D2.—Reasons for Change in the 75-Year Actuarial Balance,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Item OASI DI OASDI

Shown in last year's report:

Income rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.11 1.91 14.02

Cost rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.04 2.21 16.25

Actuarial balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.92 -.30 -2.22

Changes in actuarial balance due to changes in:

Legislation / Regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .00 .00 .00

Valuation perioda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

a The change in the 75-year valuation period from last year’s report to this report means that the 75-year

actuarial balance now includes the relatively large negative annual balance for 2086. This change in the valuation period results in a larger long-range actuarial deficit. The actuarial deficit includes the trust fund balance at the beginning of the projection period.

-.05 -.01 -.05

Demographic data and assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.05 .00 -.05

Economic data and assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.20 -.01 -.21

Disability data and assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .00 -.05 -.04

Methods and programmatic data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.09 .00 -.08

Total change in actuarial balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.37 -.07 -.44

Shown in this report:

Actuarial balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.30 -.37 -2.67

Income rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.12 1.90 14.02

Cost rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.42 2.27 16.69
Overview

20

 Figure II.D8.—OASDI Annual Balances: 2011 and 2012 Trustees Reports

[As a percentage of taxable payroll, under the intermediate assumptions]

-6%

-4%

-2%

0%

2%

2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

2011 Report

2012 Report
21

Conclusion

E. CONCLUSION

Under current law, the projected cost of Social Security generally increases

faster than projected income because of the aging of the baby-boom generation, continuing low fertility since the baby-boom period, and increasing life

expectancy. Based on the Trustees’ best estimate, program cost exceeds noninterest income for 2012, as it did for 2010 and 2011, and remains higher

than non-interest income throughout the remainder of the 75-year projection

period. Social Security’s combined trust funds increase with the help of interest income through 2020 and allow full payment of scheduled benefits on a

timely basis until the trust funds become exhausted in 2033. At that time,

projected continuing income to the trust funds equals about 75 percent of

program cost. By 2086, continuing income equals about 73 percent of program cost.

The Trustees project that the OASI Trust Fund and the DI Trust Fund will

have sufficient assets to pay full benefits on time until 2035 and 2016,

respectively. Legislative action is needed as soon as possible to prevent

exhaustion of the DI Trust Fund. In the absence of a longer-term solution,

lawmakers could reallocate the payroll tax rate between OASI and DI, as

they did in 1994.

The Trustees estimate that the 75-year actuarial deficit for the combined trust

funds is 2.67 percent of taxable payroll—0.44 percentage point larger than

the 2.22 percent deficit in last year’s report. For the combined OASI and DI

Trust Funds to remain solvent throughout the 75-year projection period, lawmakers could: (1) increase the combined payroll tax rate during the period in

a manner equivalent to an immediate and permanent increase of

2.61 percentage points1 (from its current level of 12.40 percent to

15.01 percent); (2) reduce scheduled benefits during the period in a manner

equivalent to an immediate and permanent reduction of 16.2 percent;

(3) draw on alternative sources of revenue; or (4) adopt some combination of

these approaches.

If lawmakers do not take substantial action for several years, then changes

necessary to maintain Social Security solvency will be concentrated on fewer

years and fewer generations. Lawmakers will have to make large and sudden

 1 The necessary tax rate of 2.61 percent differs from the 2.67 percent actuarial deficit for two reasons. First,

the necessary tax rate is the rate required to maintain solvency throughout the period that does not result in

any trust fund reserve at the end of the period, whereas the actuarial deficit incorporates an ending trust fund

balance equal to 1 year’s cost. Second, the necessary tax rate reflects a behavioral response to tax rate

changes, whereas the actuarial deficit does not. In particular, the calculation of the necessary tax rate

assumes that an increase in payroll taxes results in a small shift of wages and salaries to forms of employee

compensation that are not subject to the payroll tax.
Overview

22

changes if they defer action until the combined trust funds become exhausted

in 2033. For example, either of the following two actions would eliminate

the shortfall for the 75-year period as a whole by specifically eliminating

annual deficits after trust fund exhaustion:

 • Lawmakers could raise payroll taxes to finance scheduled benefits fully

in every year starting in 2033. They could increase the payroll tax rate

to about 16.7 percent at the point of trust fund exhaustion in 2033, with

the rate reaching about 17.1 percent in 2086.

 • Similarly, lawmakers could reduce benefits to the level that would be

payable with scheduled tax rates in each year beginning in 2033. They

could reduce scheduled benefits by 25 percent at the point of trust fund

exhaustion in 2033, with reductions reaching 27 percent in 2086.

The illustrations above make the critical assumption that lawmakers would

permit sudden changes in 2033 that would either increase tax rates substantially for all workers or reduce benefits substantially for all beneficiaries,

regardless of their age or when they started to receive benefits.

If the life expectancy of the population continues to improve after the end of

the 75-year period, Social Security’s annual cost will very likely continue to

grow faster than non-interest income after 2086. As a result, lawmakers

would have to make significantly larger changes to ensure solvency of the

system beyond 2086.

The Trustees recommend that lawmakers address the projected trust fund

shortfalls in a timely way in order to phase in necessary changes and give

workers and beneficiaries time to adjust to them. Implementing changes soon

would allow more generations to share in the needed revenue increases or

reductions in scheduled benefits. Social Security will play a critical role in

the lives of 56 million beneficiaries and 159 million covered workers and

their families in 2012. With informed discussion, creative thinking, and

timely legislative action, Social Security can continue to protect future generations.

For further information related to the contents of this report, see the following websites:

 • www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/tr/2012/index.html

 • www.cms.gov/ReportsTrustFunds/

 • www.treasury.gov/resource-center/economic-policy/ss-medicare/Pages/

social_security.aspx
23

Calendar Year 2011 Operations

III. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF THE TRUST FUNDS AND

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES IN THE LAST YEAR

A. OPERATIONS OF THE OLD-AGE AND SURVIVORS INSURANCE

(OASI) AND DISABILITY INSURANCE (DI) TRUST FUNDS, IN 

CALENDAR YEAR 2011

This section presents detailed information on the operations of the OASI and

DI Trust Funds1 during calendar year 2011. Chapter IV provides projections

for calendar years 2012 through 2090.

1. OASI Trust Fund

Table III.A1 presents a statement of the income and disbursements of the

Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund in calendar year 2011,

and of the assets of the fund at the beginning and end of the calendar year. As

shown in this table, total trust fund receipts in 2011 amounted to $698.8 billion, while disbursements totaled $603.8 billion, an increase in trust fund

assets during 2011 of $95.0 billion.

Total receipts during calendar year 2011 included $484.1 billion in gross

payroll tax contributions. The OASI fund paid the general fund $1.8 billion

for the estimated amount of employee payroll-tax refunds, partially offsetting these gross contributions. Employees who work for more than one

employer during a year and pay contributions on total earnings in excess of

the contribution and benefit base are eligible for such refunds. Net payroll

tax contributions were therefore $482.4 billion in 2011.

Reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury amounted to $87.8

billion in 2011. As shown in the table, Public Law 111-312, the Tax Relief,

Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010,

accounts for almost all of the reimbursement for the year, or about $87.6

billion. This act specified general fund reimbursement for temporary

reductions in employee payroll taxes. 

The General Fund of the Treasury reimbursed the OASI Trust Fund approximately $142 million in 2011 under the provisions of Public Law 111-147, the

Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. The General Fund

reimbursed the OASI Trust Fund about $7 million in 2011 under the provisions of Public Law 110-246, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of

2008.

 1 See www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/progdata/fundsQuery.html.
Financial Operations and Legislative Changes

24

The Social Security Administration makes special payments to uninsured

persons who meet certain requirements. The General Fund of the Treasury

largely reimburses costs associated with providing such payments. In 2011,

the general fund reimbursed the OASI Trust Fund approximately $7 thousand. These reimbursements reflect costs incurred in fiscal years 2009 and

2010.

Income based on taxation of benefits amounted to $22.2 billion in 2011.

About 99 percent of this income represents amounts credited to the trust

funds, on an estimated basis, generally in advance of the actual receipt of

taxes by the Treasury. The remaining 1 percent of the total income from taxation of benefits represents amounts withheld from the benefits paid to nonresident aliens.

In 2011, the OASI Trust Fund earned $106.5 billion in net interest, which

consisted of: (1) interest earned on the investments of the trust fund;

(2) interest on adjustments in the allocation of administrative expenses

between the trust fund and the general fund account for the Supplemental

Security Income program; (3) interest arising from the revised allocation of

administrative expenses among the trust funds; and (4) interest on certain

reimbursements to the trust fund.

The remaining receipts, about $1 million, consisted of gifts received under

the provisions authorizing the deposit of money gifts or bequests in the trust

funds.

Of the $603.8 billion in total OASI disbursements in 2011, $596.2 billion

was for net benefit payments, including the reimbursable costs of vocational

rehabilitation services.1 Net benefit payments increased by 3.2 percent from

calendar year 2010 to calendar year 2011. Normally, benefit payments

increase because of both an increase in the total number of beneficiaries and

an increase in the average benefit. The increase in benefit payments was lessened this year because there was no automatic cost-of-living adjustment for

December 2010.

 1 Vocational rehabilitation services are furnished to disabled widow(er) beneficiaries and to those children

of retired or deceased workers who receive benefits based on disabilities that began before age 22. The Trust

Funds reimburse the providers of such services only in those cases where the services contributed to the successful rehabilitation of the beneficiary.
25

Calendar Year 2011 Operations

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

The Railroad Retirement Act requires an annual financial interchange

between the Railroad Retirement program and the OASDI program. The purpose of the interchange is to put the OASI and DI Trust Funds in the same

financial position they would have been had railroad employment always

Table III.A1.—Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Calendar Year 2011

[In millions]

Total assets, December 31, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,429,043

Receipts:

Net payroll tax contributions:

Payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $484,141

Payments from the General Fund of the Treasury for payroll tax contributions subject to refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1,790

Net payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482,350

Reimbursements from the general fund:

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87,604

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Reimbursement directed by P.L. 110-246 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Reimbursement for the costs of payments to uninsured persons who attained age 

72 before 1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

Payroll tax credits due to P.L. 98-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

a Between -$0.5 and $0.5 million.

Net general fund reimbursements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87,753

Income based on taxation of benefit payments:

Withheld from benefit payments to nonresident aliens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

All other, not subject to withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,049

Total income from taxation of benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,211

Investment income and interest adjustments:

Interest on investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,461

Interest adjustmentsb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b Includes: (1) interest on adjustments in the allocation of administrative expenses between the trust fund and

the general fund account for the Supplemental Security Income program; (2) interest arising from the revised

allocation of administrative expenses among the trust funds; and (3) interest on certain reimbursements to the

trust fund.

6

Total investment income and interest adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,467

Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698,781

Disbursements:

Benefit payments:

Monthly benefits and lump-sum death benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 596,212

Reimbursement from the general fund for unnegotiated checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -59

Payment for costs of vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries . 1

Net benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 596,155

Financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement “Social Security Equivalent 

Benefit Account”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,110

Administrative expenses:

Costs incurred by:

Social Security Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,772

Department of the Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 726

Offsetting receipts from sales of supplies, materials, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -5

Miscellaneous reimbursements from the general fund c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c Reimbursements for costs incurred in performing certain legislatively mandated activities not directly

related to administering the OASI program.

-7

Net administrative expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,486

Total disbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603,750

Net increase in assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95,031

Total assets, December 31, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,524,075
Financial Operations and Legislative Changes

26

been covered by Social Security. The Railroad Retirement Board and the

Social Security Administration calculated an interchange of $4.1 billion from

the OASI Trust Fund to the Social Security Equivalent Benefit Account for

June 2011.

The remaining $3.5 billion of disbursements from the OASI Trust Fund represents net administrative expenses. The Social Security Administration and

the Department of the Treasury initially charge administrative expenses

directly to the trust fund on an estimated basis. Periodically, as actual experience develops, they adjust the allocations of administrative expenses for

prior periods. These adjustments affect the OASI Trust Fund, the DI Trust

Fund, and the general fund account for the Supplemental Security Income

program, and include appropriate interest adjustments. As described earlier,

the trust fund accounting records such interest adjustments under investment

income.

In 2011, the cost of administering the OASI program was 80 percent of

OASI net administrative expenses. The Social Security Administration

charges such costs to the trust fund ($2.8 billion in 2011). In addition, the

Department of the Treasury charges directly to the trust fund expenses

($0.7 billion in 2011) for services provided in administering the OASI program. A relatively small offset ($5 million in 2011) to administrative

expenses represents income from the sale of excess supplies and equipment.

Finally, the General Fund of the Treasury makes net reimbursements for

administrative costs incurred by the Social Security Administration in performing legislatively mandated activities that are not directly related to the

OASI program. These reimbursements include the costs associated with

union activities related to administering the OASI program ($4 million in

2011) and with the provision of information to participants in certain pension

plans ($3 million in 2011). These miscellaneous reimbursements totaled

$7 million in 2011.

The assets of the OASI Trust Fund at the end of calendar year 2011 totaled

$2,524.1 billion, consisting of $2,524.9 billion in U.S. Government obligations and, as an offset, an extension of credit of $0.8 billion against securities

to be redeemed within the following days. The effective annual rate of interest earned by the assets of the OASI Trust Fund during calendar year 2011

was 4.4 percent, slightly lower than the 4.6 percent earned during calendar

year 2010. Table VI.A4, presented in appendix A, shows a detailed listing of

OASI Trust Fund holdings by type of security, interest rate, and year of

maturity at the end of calendar years 2010 and 2011.
27

Calendar Year 2011 Operations

By law, the Department of the Treasury must invest trust fund assets in interest-bearing securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States

Government. Those securities currently held by the OASI Trust Fund are

special issues, that is, securities sold only to the trust funds. These special

issues are of two types: short-term certificates of indebtedness and longerterm bonds. On a daily basis, the Federal Government issues certificates of

indebtedness which mature on the next June 30 following the date of issue.

Receipts not required to meet current expenditures are invested in these certificates of indebtedness. The trust fund normally acquires long-term specialissue bonds when special issues of either type mature on June 30. The

amount of long-term bonds acquired on June 30 is equal to the amount of

special issues maturing (including interest earnings), plus tax receipts for that

day, less amounts required to meet expenditures on that day.

Section 201(d) of the Social Security Act provides that the obligations issued

for purchase by the OASI and DI Trust Funds shall have maturities fixed

with due regard for the needs of the funds. The usual practice has been to

spread the holdings of special issues, as of each June 30, so that the amounts

maturing in each of the next 15 years are approximately equal. Accordingly,

the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Chief Actuary of the

Social Security Administration, selected the amounts and maturity dates of

the special-issue bonds purchased on June 30, 2011, so that the maturity

dates of the total portfolio of special issues were spread evenly over the

15-year period 2012-26. The bonds purchased had an interest rate of 2.5 percent. Table III.A7 shows additional details on the investment transactions

during 2011, including the amounts of bonds purchased on June 30, 2011.

2. DI Trust Fund

Table III.A2 presents a statement of the income and disbursements of the

Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund in calendar year 2011, and of the

assets of the fund at the beginning and end of the calendar year.

Line entries in the DI statement are similar to those in the OASI statement.

The explanations of the OASI entries generally apply to DI as well.

Of the $106.3 billion in total receipts, $81.9 billion was net payroll tax contributions.
Financial Operations and Legislative Changes

28

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Of the $132.3 billion in total disbursements, $128.9 billion was net benefit

payments. Net benefit payments increased by 3.8 percent from calendar year

2010 to calendar year 2011. This increase in DI benefit payments was due to

the same factors described earlier for OASI benefit payments. As with OASI

benefits, the increase in DI benefit payments was lessened in 2011 because

there was no automatic cost-of-living increase in December 2010. The

Table III.A2.—Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Year 2011

[In millions]

Total assets, December 31, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $179,907

Receipts:

Net payroll tax contributions:

Payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $82,185

Payments from the General Fund of the Treasury for payroll tax contributions 

subject to refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -304

Net payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81,881

Reimbursements from the general fund:

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,902

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Reimbursements directed by P.L. 110-246. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Payroll tax credits due to P.L. 98-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

a Between -$0.5 and $0.5 million.

Net general fund reimbursements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,927

Income based on taxation of benefit payments:

Withheld from benefit payments to nonresident aliens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

All other, not subject to withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,577

Total income from taxation of benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,581

Investment income and interest adjustments:

Interest on investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,883

Interest adjustmentsb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b Includes: (1) interest on adjustments in the allocation of administrative expenses between the trust fund and

the general fund account for the Supplemental Security Income program; (2) interest arising from the revised

allocation of administrative expenses among the trust funds; and (3) interest on certain reimbursements to

the trust fund.

4

Total investment income and interest adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,887

Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,276

Disbursements:

Benefit payments:

Monthly benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128,935

Reimbursement from the general fund for unnegotiated checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -31

Payment for costs of vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries . 44

Net benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128,948

Financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement “Social Security Equivalent 

Benefit Account”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465

Administrative expenses:

Costs incurred by:

Social Security Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,758

Department of the Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Demonstration projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Miscellaneous reimbursements from the general fundc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c Includes reimbursements for costs incurred in performing certain legislatively mandated activities not

directly related to administering the DI program.

-4

Total administrative expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,920

Total disbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132,332

Net increase in assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -26,056

Total assets, December 31, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153,850
29

Calendar Year 2011 Operations

increase in the number of DI beneficiaries from 2010 to 2011 was more pronounced than the corresponding increase in the number of OASI beneficiaries, due to the increase in applications for disability benefits associated with

the weak economy.

Total DI disbursements, which started to exceed non-interest income in 2005,

continued to exceed such income in 2011. As in 2010, DI disbursements

exceeded total DI income (including interest).

The assets of the DI Trust Fund at the end of calendar year 2011 totaled

$153.9 billion, and consisted of $154.0 billion in U.S. Government obligations and, as an offset, an extension of credit of $0.1 billion against securities

to be redeemed within the following few days. The effective annual rate of

interest earned by the assets of the DI Trust Fund during calendar year 2011

was 4.8 percent, slightly lower than the 4.9 percent earned during calendar

year 2010. Table VI.A5, presented in appendix A, shows a detailed listing of

DI Trust Fund holdings by type of security, interest rate, and year of maturity

at the end of calendar years 2010 and 2011.

Section 201(d) of the Social Security Act provides that the obligations issued

for purchase by the OASI and DI Trust Funds shall have maturities fixed

with due regard for the needs of the funds. The usual practice has been to

spread the holdings of special issues, as of each June 30, so that the amounts

maturing in each of the next 15 years are approximately equal. However, as

of June 2011, the Trustees projected that the assets of the DI Trust Fund

would be exhausted within 15 years. Therefore, the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration, selected the amounts and maturity dates of the DI special-issue bonds

purchased on June 30, 2011, so that equal amounts of special issues would

mature over the 10-year period 2012-21. The bonds purchased had an interest rate of 2.5 percent. The DI Trust Fund had already redeemed many of the

bonds coming due June 30, 2012, so this investment approach required that

all bond purchases on June 30, 2011 have a maturity date of June 30, 2012.

Table III.A7 shows additional details on the investment transactions during

2011.

3. OASI and DI Trust Funds, Combined

Table III.A3 presents a statement of the operations of the OASI and DI Trust

Funds on a combined basis. The entries in this table represent the sums of the

corresponding values from tables III.A1 and III.A2. The two preceding subsections that cover OASI and DI provide a description of the nature of these

income and expenditure transactions.
Financial Operations and Legislative Changes

30

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table III.A4 compares estimates of total income and total expenditures for

calendar year 2011 from the 2007-11 Trustees Reports, to the corresponding

actual amounts for 2011.

Table III.A3.—Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, 

Calendar Year 2011

[In millions]

Total assets, December 31, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,608,950

Receipts:

Net payroll tax contributions:

Payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $566,325

Payments from the General Fund of the Treasury for payroll tax contributions subject to refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2,094

Net payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 564,231

Reimbursements from the general fund:

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102,506

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Reimbursements directed by P.L. 110-246. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Reimbursement for the costs of payments to uninsured persons who attained age 

72 before 1968 a

Payroll tax credits due to P.L. 98-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

a Between -$0.5 and $0.5 million.

Net general fund reimbursements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102,680

Income based on taxation of benefit payments:

Withheld from benefit payments to nonresident aliens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

All other, not subject to withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,626

Total income from taxation of benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,792

Investment income and interest adjustments:

Interest on investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114,344

Interest adjustmentsb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b Includes: (1) interest on adjustments in the allocation of administrative expenses between the trust funds

and the general fund account for the Supplemental Security Income program; (2) interest arising from the

revised allocation of administrative expenses among the trust funds; and (3) interest on certain reimbursements to the trust funds.

9

Total investment income and interest adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114,354

Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 805,057

Disbursements:

Benefit payments:

Monthly benefits and lump-sum death payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725,148

Reimbursement from the general fund for unnegotiated checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -90

Payment for costs of vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries . 45

Net benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725,103

Financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement “Social Security Equivalent 

Benefit Account”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,574

Administrative expenses:

Costs incurred by:

Social Security Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,530

Department of the Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864

Offsetting receipts from sales of supplies, materials, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -5

Demonstration projects 28

Miscellaneous reimbursements from the general fundc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c Includes reimbursements for costs incurred in performing certain legislatively mandated activities not

directly related to administering the OASI and DI programs.

-11

Net administrative expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,405

Total disbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736,083

Net increase in assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,975

Total assets, December 31, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,677,925
31

Calendar Year 2011 Operations

l

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

A number of factors contribute to differences between estimates and subsequent actual amounts, including: (1) actual values for key demographic, economic, and other variables that differ from assumed levels; and (2)

legislation or other administrative initiatives that lawmakers enacted or finalized after the Trustees completed their estimates. Estimates for 2011 were far

too optimistic in the 2007 and 2008 reports because they did not anticipate

the economic recession. Estimates in the 2009 and 2010 reports included an

economic recession in the projections but assumed the recession would not

be as deep as it actually was and the recovery would not be as gradual as it

has been so far.

At the end of calendar year 2011, the OASDI program was providing

monthly benefits to about 55.4 million people. The OASI Trust Fund was

providing benefits to about 44.8 million people and the DI Trust Fund was

providing benefits to about 10.6 million people. The number of people

receiving benefits from the OASI and DI Trust Funds grew by 2.2 percent

Table III.A4.—Comparison of Actual Calendar Year 2011 Trust Fund Operations

With Estimates Made in Prior Reports, Based on Intermediate Assumptionsa

[Amounts in billions]

a Percentage differences are calculated prior to rounding.

Total income b

b “Actual” income for 2011 reflects adjustments to payroll tax contributions for prior calendar years (see

appendix A for description of these adjustments). “Estimated” income also includes such adjustments, but on

an estimated basis.

Total expenditures

Amount

Difference

from actual

(percent) Amount

Difference

from actual

(percent)

OASI Trust Fund:

Estimate in 2007 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $860.8 23.2 $610.6 1.1

Estimate in 2008 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 848.1 21.4 615.0 1.9

Estimate in 2009 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 771.8 10.5 602.0 -.3

Estimate in 2010 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741.9 6.2 607.5 .6

Estimate in 2011 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700.7 .3 605.6 .3

Actual amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698.8 — 603.8 —

DI Trust Fund:

Estimate in 2007 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130.9 23.1 126.8 -4.2

Estimate in 2008 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129.4 21.8 128.7 -2.8

Estimate in 2009 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118.2 11.2 133.1 .6

Estimate in 2010 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112.9 6.2 134.2 1.4

Estimate in 2011 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107.0 .6 132.8 .3

Actual amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.3 — 132.3 —

OASI and DI Trust Funds, combined:

Estimate in 2007 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 991.6 23.2 737.4 .2

Estimate in 2008 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 977.5 21.4 743.7 1.0

Estimate in 2009 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 890.0 10.5 735.1 -.1

Estimate in 2010 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 854.8 6.2 741.7 .8

Estimate in 2011 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 807.7 .3 738.4 .3

Actual amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 805.1 — 736.1 —
Financial Operations and Legislative Changes

32

and 4.2 percent, respectively, during the calendar year. This growth reflects

increases in the insured population and effects of the economic downturn.

Table III.A5 shows the estimated distributions of benefit payments in calendar years 2010 and 2011, by type of beneficiary, for each trust fund separately.

Note: Benefits are monthly benefits and lump-sum death payments. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums

of rounded components.

Net administrative expenses of the OASI and DI Trust Funds in calendar

year 2011 totaled $6.4 billion. This amount is equal to 0.9 percent of noninterest income and 0.9 percent of total expenditures. Table III.A6 shows

corresponding percentages for each trust fund separately and for the OASDI

program as a whole for each of the last 5 years.

Table III.A5.—Distribution of Benefit Payments by Type of Beneficiary or Payment, 

Calendar Years 2010 and 2011

[Amounts in millions]

Calendar year 2010 Calendar year 2011

Amount

Percentage

of total Amount

Percentage

of total

Total OASDI benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . $701,639 100.0 $725,148 100.0

OASI benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577,448 82.3 596,212 82.2

DI benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124,191 17.7 128,935 17.8

OASI benefit payments, total. . . . . . . . . . . . 577,448 100.0 596,212 100.0

Monthly benefits:

Retired workers and auxiliaries . . . . . . 471,505 81.7 489,699 82.1

Retired workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443,390 76.8 461,234 77.4

Spouses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,001 4.2 24,176 4.1

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,114 .7 4,288 .7

Survivors of deceased workers. . . . . . . 105,741 18.3 106,310 17.8

Aged widows and widowers. . . . . . . 83,927 14.5 84,342 14.1

Disabled widows and widowers . . . . 2,121 .4 2,199 .4

Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 a

a Less than 0.05 percent.

22 a

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,024 3.1 18,100 3.0

Widowed mothers and fathers 

caring for child beneficiaries . . . . 1,645 .3 1,647 .3

Uninsured persons generally aged 72 

before 1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b

b Less than $0.5 million.

a ba

Lump-sum death payments . . . . . . . . . . . 203 a 204 a

DI benefit payments, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124,191 100.0 128,935 100.0

Disabled workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115,059 92.6 119,563 92.7

Spouses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 598 .5 608 .5

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,534 6.9 8,765 6.8
33

Calendar Year 2011 Operations

The acquisition and disposition of securities during calendar year 2011

changed the invested assets of the OASI Trust Fund and the DI Trust Fund.

Table III.A7 presents these investment transactions for each trust fund separately and for the trust funds combined.

Note: All investments are shown at par value. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table III.A6.—Administrative Expenses as a Percentage of Non-interest Income and of 

Total Expenditures, Calendar Years 2007-11

Calendar year 

OASI Trust Fund DI Trust Fund

OASI and DI

Trust Funds,

combined

Non-interest

income

Total

expenditures

Non-interest

income

Total

expenditures

Non-interest

income

Total

expenditures

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 0.6 2.6 2.5 0.8 0.9

2008 . . . . . . . . . . . .5 .6 2.6 2.3 .8 .9

2009 . . . . . . . . . . . .6 .6 2.8 2.3 .9 .9

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . .6 .6 3.1 2.3 1.0 .9

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . .6 .6 3.0 2.2 .9 .9

Table III.A7.—Trust Fund Investment Transactions, Calendar Year 2011

[In millions]

OASI

Trust Fund

DI

Trust Fund

OASI and DI

Trust Funds,

combined

Invested assets, December 31, 2010 . . . . . . . . $2,429,514 $180,023 $2,609,537

Acquisitions:

Special issues:

Certificates of indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . 654,372 103,661 758,033

Bonds a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

a Purchased on June 30, 2011. The interest rate on these purchases was 2.5 percent.

250,152 7,123 257,276

Total acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904,525 110,784 1,015,309

Dispositions:

Special issues:

Certificates of indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . 660,837 104,920 765,758

Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148,303 31,890 180,193

Total dispositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809,140 136,811 945,951

Net increase in invested assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . 95,385 -26,027 69,358

Invested assets, December 31, 2011 . . . . . . . . 2,524,898 153,996 2,678,895
Financial Operations and Legislative Changes

34

B. SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS SINCE THE 2011 REPORT

Several laws enacted since the Trustees submitted the 2011 report to Congress are likely to have financial effects on the OASDI program.

The Budget Control Act of 2011, Public Law 112-25, enacted on August 2,

2011, authorized the appropriation of funds for fiscal years 2012 through

2021 to be used for certain program integrity initiatives, including continuing

disability reviews of OASDI disabled beneficiaries. The Disaster Relief

Appropriations Act of 2012, Public Law 112-77, enacted on December 23,

2011, appropriated the funds for those program integrity initiatives for fiscal

year 2012. The Trustees have generally assumed that lawmakers would provide appropriate levels of funding to conduct legislatively mandated continuing disability reviews. The Trustees estimate that the enactment of these two

laws will cause a negligible change in the financial status of the OASDI program over the short-range and long-range periods.

The Three-Percent Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act, Public Law

112-56, enacted on November 21, 2011, provides qualified tax-exempt organizations with credit against 2012 payroll taxes for employment of qualified

veterans. This law provides for reimbursements from the General Fund of the

Treasury to the OASI and DI Trust Funds to make up for any reduction in

payroll tax revenue. Therefore, this law has no direct financial impact on the

OASDI program over the short-range and long-range periods.

The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, Public Law 112-

78, enacted on December 23, 2011, and the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job

Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96, enacted on February 22, 2012,

reduce the OASDI payroll tax rate for 2012 by 2 percentage points for

employees and for self-employed workers. These laws provide for reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI and DI Trust

Funds to make up for the reduction in payroll tax revenue. Therefore, these

laws have no direct financial impact on the OASDI program over the shortrange and long-range periods.

The financial projections shown in this report include the effects of these

laws. Sections IV.A.4 and IV.B.7 of this report provide further analysis of

the nature and magnitude of the effect of these laws on the financial status of

the OASDI program.
35

Short-Range Estimates

IV. ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES

This chapter presents actuarial estimates of the future financial condition of

the Social Security program. These estimates show the income, cost, and

assets or unfunded obligation of the OASI and DI Trust Funds: (1) in dollars

over the 10-year short-range period; and (2) as a percentage of taxable payroll, as a percentage of gross domestic product, and in present-value dollars

over the 75-year long-range period. In addition, the chapter discusses a variety of measures of the adequacy of current program financing. This report

distinguishes between: (1) the cost (obligations) of the program, which

includes all future benefits scheduled under current law; and (2) expenditures

(disbursements), which include actual payments for the past plus only the

portion of projected program cost that would be payable with the financing

provisions in current law.

This chapter presents the estimates and measures of trust fund financial adequacy for the short range (2012-21) first, followed by estimates and measures of actuarial status for the long range (2012-86) and over the infinite

horizon. As described in the Overview chapter of this report, these estimates

depend upon a broad set of demographic, economic, and programmatic factors. This chapter presents estimates under three sets of assumptions to show

a wide range of possible outcomes, because assumptions related to these factors are subject to uncertainty. The intermediate set of assumptions, designated as alternative II, reflects the Trustees’ best estimate of future

experience; the low-cost alternative I is significantly more optimistic and the

high-cost alternative III is significantly more pessimistic for the trust funds’

future financial outlook. The tables of this report show the intermediate estimates first, followed by the low-cost and high-cost estimates. Chapter V

describes these three sets of assumptions, along with the actuarial methods

used to produce the estimates. Appendix D and appendix E present two additional methods to illustrate the uncertainty of the projections. Appendix D

presents sensitivity analyses of the effects of variation in individual factors

and appendix E presents probability distributions generated by a stochastic

model.

A. SHORT-RANGE ESTIMATES

The Trustees consider the trust funds solvent if the funds can pay scheduled

benefits in full on a timely basis. A standard method of assessing solvency is

the “trust fund ratio,” which is the assets in a fund at the beginning of a year

(which do not include advance tax transfers) expressed as a percentage of the

cost during the year. The trust fund ratio represents the proportion of a year’s

cost which the assets available at the beginning of that year can cover. The

Trustees assume that a trust fund ratio of 100 percent of annual program cost
Actuarial Estimates

36

provides a reasonable “contingency reserve.” Maintaining a reasonable contingency reserve is important because the trust funds do not have borrowing

authority. After exhaustion, the trust funds would be unable to pay benefits in

full on a timely basis if annual revenue were less than annual cost. Unexpected events, such as severe economic recessions or large changes in other

trends, can quickly deplete reserves. In such cases, a reasonable contingency

reserve can maintain the ability to pay scheduled benefits while giving lawmakers time to address possible changes to the program.

The short-range test of financial adequacy applies to the OASI and DI Trust

Funds individually and combined. If the estimated trust fund ratio is at least

100 percent at the beginning of the projection period, the test requires that it

remain at or above 100 percent throughout the 10-year period. Alternatively,

if the ratio is initially less than 100 percent, then it must reach at least 100

percent within 5 years (without depletion at any time during this period) and

then remain at or above 100 percent throughout the remainder of the 10-year

period. This test uses the estimates based on the intermediate assumptions. If

either trust fund fails this test, then program solvency in the next 10 years is

in question, and lawmakers will have to take prompt action to improve shortrange financial adequacy.

1. Operations of the OASI Trust Fund

This subsection presents estimates, based on the assumptions described in

chapter V, of the operations and financial status of the OASI Trust Fund for

the period 2012-21. These estimates assume that there are no changes in the

statutory provisions and regulations under which the OASDI program currently operates.1

Table IV.A1 shows these estimates, which indicate that the assets of the

OASI Trust Fund continue to increase throughout the next 10 years under the

intermediate and low-cost sets of assumptions, but begin to decline in 2018

under the high-cost assumptions. Based on the intermediate assumptions, the

assets of the OASI Trust Fund continue to exceed 100 percent of annual

expenditures by a large amount through the end of 2021. Consequently, the

OASI Trust Fund satisfies the test of short-range financial adequacy by a

wide margin. Table IV.A1 also indicates that the OASI Trust Fund would satisfy the short-range test even under the high-cost assumptions. See figure

IV.A1 for an illustration of these results.

 1 The estimates shown in this subsection reflect 12 months of benefit payments in each year of the shortrange projection period. In practice, the actual payment dates have at times shifted over calendar year

boundaries as a result of the statutory requirement for early delivery of benefit checks when the normal

check delivery date is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal public holiday.
37

Short-Range Estimates

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table IV.A1.—Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 2007-21a

[Dollar amounts in billions]

a Appendix A presents a detailed description of the components of income and cost, along with complete historical values.

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsb

b Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI Trust Fund for: (1) the cost of

noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons who attained age 72 before 1968; (3) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in 1984 and

self-employed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (4) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain selfemployment earnings from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (5) payroll tax revenue forgone under

the provisions of Public Laws 111-147, 111-312, and 112-96.

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interest Total

Benefit

payments

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratioc

c The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year (which are identical to assets at the

end of the prior year shown in the “Amount at end of year” column) as a percentage of cost for the year.

Historical data:

2007 . . . $675.0 $560.9 d

d Between -$50 million and $50 million.

$17.2 $97.0 $495.7 $489.1 $3.1 $3.6 $179.3 $2,023.6 372

2008 . . . 695.5 574.6 d 15.6 105.3 516.2 509.3 3.2 3.6 179.3 2,202.9 392

2009 . . . 698.2 570.4 d 19.9 107.9 564.3 557.2 3.4 3.7 133.9 2,336.8 390

2010 . . . 677.1 544.8 $2.0 22.1 108.2 584.9 577.4 3.5 3.9 92.2 2,429.0 400

2011 . . . 698.8 482.4 87.8 22.2 106.5 603.8 596.2 3.5 4.1 95.0 2,524.1 402

Intermediate:

2012 . . . 735.7 506.9 95.8 28.9 104.0 647.2 639.9 3.4 4.0 88.5 2,612.6 390

2013 . . . 759.7 624.6 2.3 29.6 103.3 684.9 677.7 3.3 3.9 74.8 2,687.4 381

2014 . . . 803.8 665.9 -.1 32.7 105.3 727.2 719.6 3.4 4.2 76.6 2,764.0 370

2015 . . . 851.6 706.0 .2 36.3 109.1 773.8 766.0 3.6 4.3 77.7 2,841.7 357

2016 . . . 903.8 749.5 .1 40.2 114.0 823.3 815.6 3.7 4.1 80.5 2,922.2 345

2017 . . . 960.5 796.4 d 44.6 119.5 877.5 869.1 3.8 4.6 82.9 3,005.1 333

2018 . . . 1,019.1 844.4 d 48.7 126.0 937.5 928.8 3.9 4.7 81.6 3,086.8 321

2019 . . . 1,073.3 887.6 d 53.1 132.6 1,002.7 993.7 4.1 4.9 70.6 3,157.4 308

2020 . . . 1,127.5 930.8 d 57.9 138.8 1,074.4 1,065.2 4.2 5.1 53.1 3,210.5 294

2021 . . . 1,180.2 973.6 d 63.0 143.7 1,148.1 1,138.9 4.3 4.9 32.1 3,242.6 280

Low-cost:

2012 . . . 740.3 510.4 96.5 28.9 104.4 647.0 639.6 3.4 4.0 93.3 2,617.4 390

2013 . . . 778.5 641.6 2.8 29.5 104.7 682.9 675.7 3.3 3.8 95.7 2,713.1 383

2014 . . . 827.6 687.4 -.1 32.4 107.9 719.7 712.1 3.4 4.2 107.9 2,821.0 377

2015 . . . 880.9 732.1 .2 35.6 113.0 759.4 751.6 3.6 4.2 121.5 2,942.5 371

2016 . . . 937.7 778.9 .1 39.2 119.5 802.1 794.6 3.7 3.9 135.5 3,078.0 367

2017 . . . 994.9 824.9 d 43.1 126.8 849.0 840.9 3.8 4.4 145.9 3,223.9 363

2018 . . . 1,052.7 870.5 d 46.7 135.4 899.3 890.9 3.9 4.5 153.4 3,377.2 358

2019 . . . 1,107.1 911.8 d 50.5 144.8 954.1 945.5 4.0 4.6 153.0 3,530.3 354

2020 . . . 1,162.7 953.9 d 54.6 154.2 1,013.4 1,004.6 4.1 4.7 149.3 3,679.5 348

2021 . . . 1,218.2 996.2 d 58.9 163.2 1,073.5 1,064.9 4.2 4.5 144.7 3,824.3 343

High-cost:

2012 . . . 728.5 501.5 94.8 28.9 103.2 647.6 640.2 3.4 4.0 80.9 2,605.0 390

2013 . . . 736.0 603.7 1.6 29.7 101.0 687.0 679.8 3.3 3.9 49.0 2,654.0 379

2014 . . . 775.8 640.7 -.1 33.1 102.2 735.0 727.3 3.4 4.3 40.8 2,694.8 361

2015 . . . 815.9 674.1 .2 36.9 104.7 788.0 780.0 3.6 4.4 27.9 2,722.7 342

2016 . . . 865.9 715.8 .1 41.4 108.7 847.2 839.2 3.7 4.2 18.8 2,741.4 321

2017 . . . 923.5 763.2 d 46.4 113.8 913.1 904.4 3.9 4.8 10.3 2,751.8 300

2018 . . . 984.7 814.4 d 51.2 119.1 986.1 977.0 4.0 5.0 -1.4 2,750.4 279

2019 . . . 1,044.0 864.7 d 56.5 122.8 1,066.8 1,057.3 4.2 5.3 -22.8 2,727.6 258

2020 . . . 1,100.0 913.6 d 62.2 124.2 1,153.7 1,143.8 4.4 5.5 -53.7 2,673.9 236

2021 . . . 1,151.0 960.1 d 68.2 122.7 1,243.8 1,233.9 4.5 5.4 -92.8 2,581.1 215
Actuarial Estimates

38

The estimated income shown in table IV.A1 increases annually under each

set of assumptions throughout the short-range projection period. The estimated increases in income reflect increases in estimated OASDI taxable

earnings and growth in interest earnings on the invested assets of the trust

fund. After decreasing in the period 2008-10, employment increases in every

year through 2021 for all three alternatives, except for a slight decrease in

2013 under the high-cost set of assumptions due to an assumed second dip of

the recession. The number of persons with taxable earnings increases on the

basis of alternatives I, II, and III from 158 million during calendar year 2011

to about 179 million, 175 million, and 170 million, respectively, in 2021. The

total annual amount of taxable earnings increases in every year through 2021

for each alternative. Total earnings increase from $5,466 billion in 2011 to

$9,459 billion, $9,247 billion, and $9,123 billion in 2021, on the basis of

alternatives I, II, and III, respectively. These increases in taxable earnings are

due primarily to: (1) projected increases in employment levels as the working age population increases; (2) trend increases in average earnings in covered employment (reflecting both real growth and price inflation);

(3) increases in the contribution and benefit base under the automatic-adjustment provisions; and (4) growth in employment and average earnings, temporarily higher than trend, as the economy recovers from the economic

recession.

 Figure IV.A1.—Short-Range OASI and DI Trust Fund Ratios

[Assets as a percentage of annual cost]

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

250%

300%

350%

400%

450%

500%

2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021

Calendar year

DI

OASI

Historical Estimated

"Minimum" level for short-term financial adequacy

I

III II

I

II

III
39

Short-Range Estimates

Interest earnings contribute to the overall projected increase in trust fund

income during this period. Despite the projected growth in OASI Trust Fund

assets, annual interest earnings decline slightly in the early projection years

under all three sets of assumptions due to historically low interest rates on

newly-issued bonds. Thereafter, interest income generally increases due to

the net effects of higher asset levels and the patterns of projected interest

rates. Although interest earnings generally increase over the short-range

period, interest declines as a share of total OASI Trust Fund income. By

2021, OASI interest income is about 12 percent of total trust fund income

under the intermediate assumptions, as compared to 15 percent in 2011.

Rising expenditures during 2012-21 reflect automatic benefit increases as

well as the upward trend in the number of beneficiaries and in the average

monthly earnings underlying benefits. The growth in the number of beneficiaries in the past and the expected future growth result both from the

increase in the aged population and from the increase in the proportion of the

population that is eligible for benefits.

The estimates under the intermediate and low-cost sets of assumptions

shown in table IV.A1 indicate that income to the OASI Trust Fund, including

interest earned on trust fund assets, exceeds expenditures in every year of the

short-range projection period. While trust fund assets increase substantially,

they grow more slowly near the end of the short-range period. Under the

high-cost assumptions, assets begin to decline in 2018.

The Treasury invests OASI income in financial securities, generally special

public-debt obligations of the U.S. Government. The cash used to make these

purchases flows to the General Fund of the Treasury. The trust fund earns

interest on these securities, and the Treasury invests maturing securities in

new securities if not immediately needed to pay program costs. When payment of program costs requires the redemption of securities prior to maturity,

general fund revenue flows to the trust fund.

2. Operations of the DI Trust Fund

Table IV.A2 shows the estimated operations and financial status of the DI

Trust Fund during calendar years 2012-21 under the three sets of assumptions, together with values for actual experience during 2007-11. Non-interest income increases steadily after 2011 under each alternative, due to most

of the same factors described previously for the OASI Trust Fund. However,

DI costs grow at an even faster pace than income for reasons explained in

greater detail below. As a result, after having reached a maximum in 2008,

DI Trust Fund assets continue to decrease in 2012 under each alternative.

Under the low-cost assumptions, assets begin to increase again after reaching

a low point in 2018. Under the intermediate assumptions, assets continue to

decline until their projected exhaustion in 2016. Under the high-cost assumptions, DI assets decline steadily until exhaustion in 2015.
Actuarial Estimates

40

Table IV.A2.—Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 2007-21a

[Dollar amounts in billions]

a Appendix A presents a detailed description of the components of income and cost, along with complete historical values.

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsb

b Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the DI Trust Fund for: (1) the cost of noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to

employees in 1984 and self-employed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (3) the cost in 2009-17 of

excluding certain self-employment earnings from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (4) payroll tax

revenue forgone under the provisions of Public Laws 111-147, 111-312, and 112-96.

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interest Total

Benefit

payments

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratioc

c The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year (which are identical to assets at the

end of the prior year shown in the “Amount at end of year” column) as a percentage of cost for the year.

Historical data:

2007 . . .$109.9 $95.2 d

d Between -$50 million and $50 million.

$1.4 $13.2 $98.8 $95.9 $2.5 $0.4 $11.1 $214.9 206

2008 . . . 109.8 97.6 d 1.3 11.0 109.0 106.0 2.5 .4 .9 215.8 197

2009 . . . 109.3 96.9 d 2.0 10.5 121.5 118.3 2.7 .4 -12.2 203.5 178

2010 . . . 104.0 92.5 $0.4 1.9 9.3 127.7 124.2 3.0 .5 -23.6 179.9 159

2011 . . . 106.3 81.9 14.9 1.6 7.9 132.3 128.9 2.9 .5 -26.1 153.9 136

Intermediate:

2012 . . . 110.2 86.1 16.3 1.5 6.4 141.5 137.8 3.2 .5 -31.2 122.6 109

2013 . . . 113.7 106.1 .4 2.5 4.7 147.4 143.7 3.2 .5 -33.7 88.9 83

2014 . . . 119.1 113.1 d 2.8 3.2 153.2 149.2 3.5 .5 -34.1 54.8 58

2015 . . . 124.7 119.9 d 3.1 1.7 159.3 155.2 3.7 .5 -34.6 20.2 34

2016 . . . e

e The DI Trust Fund becomes exhausted in 2016 and 2015 under the intermediate and the high-cost assumptions, respectively. Accordingly, certain trust fund operation values from the year of trust fund exhaustion

through 2021 are not meaningful under present law.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

127.3 d 3.4 e 165.0 160.7 3.9 .5 e e 12

2017 . . . e 135.2 d 3.7 e 170.7 166.1 4.1 .5 e ee

2018 . . . e 143.4 d 4.0 e 177.0 172.2 4.4 .4 e ee

2019 . . . e 150.7 d 4.3 e 183.8 178.8 4.6 .4 e ee

2020 . . . e 158.1 d 4.7 e 191.6 186.3 4.9 .4 e ee

2021 . . . e 165.3 d 5.1 e 201.4 196.0 5.2 .3 e ee

Low-cost:

2012 . . . 111.0 86.7 16.4 1.5 6.5 139.2 135.5 3.2 .5 -28.2 125.6 111

2013 . . . 116.9 108.9 .5 2.5 5.0 142.8 139.1 3.2 .5 -25.9 99.7 88

2014 . . . 123.3 116.7 d 2.6 3.9 145.4 141.4 3.5 .5 -22.1 77.6 69

2015 . . . 130.3 124.3 d 2.8 3.1 148.0 143.8 3.7 .5 -17.7 59.9 52

2016 . . . 137.8 132.3 d 3.1 2.5 150.5 146.2 3.9 .4 -12.7 47.2 40

2017 . . . 145.5 140.1 d 3.3 2.0 153.2 148.6 4.1 .4 -7.7 39.5 31

2018 . . . 153.1 147.8 d 3.5 1.8 156.4 151.7 4.3 .4 -3.2 36.3 25

2019 . . . 160.3 154.8 d 3.8 1.7 160.3 155.3 4.6 .4 d 36.3 23

2020 . . . 167.8 162.0 d 4.0 1.8 164.7 159.5 4.8 .3 3.1 39.4 22

2021 . . . 175.5 169.2 d 4.3 2.0 170.7 165.3 5.0 .3 4.8 44.2 23

High-cost:

2012 . . . 109.1 85.2 16.1 1.5 6.3 143.8 140.2 3.2 .5 -34.7 119.1 107

2013 . . . 109.8 102.5 .3 2.6 4.3 152.5 148.8 3.2 .5 -42.7 76.4 78

2014 . . . 114.1 108.8 d 3.0 2.4 162.0 158.0 3.5 .5 -47.9 28.5 47

2015 . . . e 114.5 d 3.3 e 172.1 167.9 3.7 .5 e e 17

2016 . . . e 121.5 d 3.7 e 182.1 177.7 3.9 .5 e ee

2017 . . . e 129.6 d 4.2 e 192.1 187.5 4.2 .5 e ee

2018 . . . e 138.3 d 4.6 e 202.6 197.7 4.5 .5 e ee

2019 . . . e 146.8 d 5.0 e 213.6 208.4 4.8 .4 e ee

2020 . . . e 155.1 d 5.5 e 224.9 219.4 5.1 .4 e ee

2021 . . . e 163.0 d 6.0 e 238.6 232.8 5.4 .4 e ee
41

Short-Range Estimates

Future DI cost increases in part due to increases in average benefit levels

resulting from: (1) automatic benefit increases; and (2) projected increases in

the amounts of average monthly earnings on which benefits are based. In

addition, the number of DI beneficiaries in current-payment status generally

increases during the short-range projection period. Over the period 2011-21,

the projected annual average growth rate in the number of DI disabledworker beneficiaries is roughly 0.2, 1.3, and 2.5 percent under alternatives I,

II, and III, respectively. This growth in DI beneficiaries is largely due to the

gradual progression of the baby-boom generation through ages 50 to normal

retirement age, the ages which have the highest rates of disability prevalence.

The estimates under all three sets of assumptions anticipate additional

growth in the numbers of disabled-worker beneficiaries due to a projected

continuation of incidence rates at historically high levels. These projected

higher levels of disability incidence subside as the economy recovers from

the recent economic recession and return to levels consistent with longerterm trends in incidence rates.1

The proportion of disabled-worker beneficiaries whose benefits terminate or

convert to retirement benefits in a given year has fluctuated in the past. Over

the last 20 years, the rates of benefit termination due to death have declined

very gradually, and generally have mirrored the improving mortality experience for the overall population. The proportion of disabled-worker beneficiaries who converted to retirement benefits at attainment of normal retirement

age also declined gradually through 2008 due to: (1) the relatively low average age of new beneficiaries coming on the rolls during the 1990s; and

(2) the effects over the period 2003-08 of the gradual increase in the normal

retirement age to age 66. After 2008, the conversion proportion returned to

pre-2003 levels because the normal retirement age remains at age 66 from

2009-20 before beginning to increase again. Furthermore, starting in 2012,

the projected conversion proportion increases sharply as the baby boom

cohorts begin to reach normal retirement age.

The termination rate due to recovery has been much more volatile. In recent

years, the proportion of disabled beneficiaries whose benefits cease because

of their recovery from disability has been relatively low in comparison to

levels experienced throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Projected rates of

recovery terminations assumed in the report are elevated for several years

beginning in 2012 due to an assumed increase in funding for reducing the

backlog of continuing disability reviews. Following this temporary increase

in continuing disability reviews, projected recovery termination rates return

to levels consistent with: (1) projected levels of work terminations; and

(2) the assumption that terminations for medical improvement will be consis-

 1 Section V.C.5 describes historical and projected patterns of disability incidence rates in greater detail.
Actuarial Estimates

42

tent with continued timely completion of continuing disability reviews after

2014. The overall proportion of disabled workers leaving the DI rolls

(reflecting all causes) generally increases due to the aging of the beneficiary

population.

At the beginning of calendar year 2011, the assets of the DI Trust Fund represented 136 percent of annual expenditures. During 2011, DI expenditures

exceeded income, and the trust fund ratio for the beginning of 2012

decreased to about 109 percent. Under the intermediate set of assumptions,

expenditures exceed total income throughout the short-range projection

period. The projected expenditures in excess of income result in the estimated exhaustion of the DI Trust Fund by the end of 2016.

Under the low-cost assumptions, the trust fund ratio decreases to a low of

22 percent at the beginning of 2020 before increasing to 23 percent at the

beginning of 2021. Under the high-cost assumptions, the assets of the DI

Trust Fund decline steadily, and dip below the level of annual expenditures

during 2012 before complete depletion in 2015.

Although assets of the DI Trust Fund were greater than annual expenditures

at the beginning of 2012, the DI Trust Fund fails the Trustees’ short-range

test of financial adequacy under all three alternatives. Furthermore, the DI

Trust Fund becomes exhausted by the end of 2016 and 2015 under alternatives II and III, respectively.

3. Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds

Table IV.A3 shows the estimated operations and status of the combined

OASI and DI Trust Funds during calendar years 2012-21 for the three alternatives, together with figures on actual experience in 2007-11. Income and

cost for the OASI Trust Fund represent over 80 percent of the corresponding

amounts for the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds. Therefore, based on

the strength of the OASI Trust Fund over the next 10 years, the combined

OASI and DI Trust Funds would have sufficient assets to pay all scheduled

benefits through the end of the short-range period and would satisfy the

short-range test of financial adequacy under all three alternative sets of

assumptions. Under current law, one trust fund cannot share assets with

another trust fund without changes to the Social Security Act.
43

Short-Range Estimates

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table IV.A3.—Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

Calendar Years 2007-21a

[Dollar amounts in billions]

a Appendix A presents a detailed description of the components of income and cost, along with complete historical values.

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsb

b Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI and DI Trust Funds for: (1) the

cost of noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons who attained age 72 before 1968; (3) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in

1984 and self-employed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (4) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain

self-employment earnings from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (5) payroll tax revenue forgone

under the provisions of Public Laws 111-147, 111-312, and 112-96.

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interest Total

Benefit

payments

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratioc

c The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year (which are identical to assets at the

end of the prior year shown in the “Amount at end of year” column) as a percentage of cost for the year.

Historical data:

2007 . . . $784.9 $656.1 d

d Between -$50 million and $50 million.

$18.6 $110.2 $594.5 $584.9 $5.5 $4.0 $190.4 $2,238.5 345

2008 . . . 805.3 672.1 d 16.9 116.3 625.1 615.3 5.7 4.0 180.2 2,418.7 358

2009 . . . 807.5 667.3 d 21.9 118.3 685.8 675.5 6.2 4.1 121.7 2,540.3 353

2010 . . . 781.1 637.3 $2.4 23.9 117.5 712.5 701.6 6.5 4.4 68.6 2,609.0 357

2011 . . . 805.1 564.2 102.7 23.8 114.4 736.1 725.1 6.4 4.6 69.0 2,677.9 354

Intermediate:

2012 . . . 846.0 593.0 112.1 30.4 110.4 788.7 777.7 6.6 4.4 57.3 2,735.2 340

2013 . . . 873.4 730.7 2.7 32.1 108.0 832.3 821.4 6.5 4.3 41.1 2,776.3 329

2014 . . . 922.9 779.0 -.1 35.5 108.5 880.5 868.8 6.9 4.7 42.4 2,818.8 315

2015 . . . 976.3 825.9 .2 39.3 110.9 933.2 921.1 7.2 4.8 43.1 2,861.9 302

2016 . . . 1,034.6 876.8 .1 43.6 114.1 988.4 976.3 7.6 4.5 46.2 2,908.1 290

2017 . . . 1,098.0 931.6 .1 48.3 118.0 1,048.2 1,035.2 7.9 5.1 49.7 2,957.8 277

2018 . . . 1,163.4 987.8 d 52.7 122.8 1,114.5 1,101.0 8.3 5.2 48.9 3,006.8 265

2019 . . . 1,223.4 1,038.3 d 57.4 127.7 1,186.5 1,172.5 8.7 5.3 36.9 3,043.7 253

2020 . . . 1,283.4 1,088.9 d 62.6 131.9 1,266.0 1,251.5 9.1 5.4 17.3 3,061.0 240

2021 . . . 1,341.5 1,138.9 d 68.1 134.6 1,349.5 1,334.9 9.5 5.2 -8.0 3,053.0 227

Low-cost:

2012 . . . 851.3 597.1 112.9 30.4 110.9 786.2 775.2 6.6 4.4 65.1 2,743.0 341

2013 . . . 895.4 750.6 3.2 32.0 109.7 825.7 814.9 6.5 4.3 69.8 2,812.8 332

2014 . . . 950.8 804.2 -.1 35.0 111.8 865.1 853.5 6.9 4.7 85.8 2,898.5 325

2015 . . . 1,011.2 856.4 .2 38.4 116.1 907.4 895.5 7.2 4.7 103.8 3,002.4 319

2016 . . . 1,075.5 911.1 .1 42.2 122.0 952.6 940.7 7.5 4.4 122.8 3,125.2 315

2017 . . . 1,140.4 965.0 .1 46.4 128.9 1,002.2 989.5 7.9 4.8 138.2 3,263.4 312

2018 . . . 1,205.8 1,018.3 d 50.3 137.2 1,055.7 1,042.6 8.2 4.9 150.1 3,413.5 309

2019 . . . 1,267.4 1,066.6 d 54.2 146.5 1,114.3 1,100.8 8.5 5.0 153.1 3,566.6 306

2020 . . . 1,330.4 1,115.8 d 58.6 156.0 1,178.0 1,164.1 8.9 5.1 152.4 3,719.0 303

2021 . . . 1,393.7 1,165.3 d 63.2 165.2 1,244.2 1,230.2 9.2 4.8 149.5 3,868.5 299

High-cost:

2012 . . . 837.6 586.7 110.9 30.4 109.6 791.4 780.4 6.6 4.4 46.2 2,724.1 338

2013 . . . 845.7 706.2 1.9 32.3 105.4 839.5 828.6 6.5 4.4 6.2 2,730.4 324

2014 . . . 889.9 749.4 -.1 36.0 104.6 897.0 885.3 6.9 4.8 -7.1 2,723.2 304

2015 . . . 933.7 788.6 .2 40.3 104.7 960.0 947.9 7.2 4.9 -26.3 2,696.9 284

2016 . . . 988.0 837.3 .1 45.1 105.5 1,029.3 1,016.9 7.6 4.7 -41.3 2,655.7 262

2017 . . . 1,050.1 892.8 .1 50.6 106.6 1,105.3 1,091.9 8.1 5.3 -55.1 2,600.5 240

2018 . . . 1,116.1 952.7 d 55.8 107.5 1,188.7 1,174.7 8.5 5.5 -72.7 2,527.9 219

2019 . . . 1,179.4 1,011.5 d 61.5 106.3 1,280.4 1,265.7 9.0 5.7 -101.0 2,426.9 197

2020 . . . 1,238.9 1,068.7 d 67.7 102.5 1,378.6 1,363.2 9.4 5.9 -139.7 2,287.2 176

2021 . . . 1,292.8 1,123.1 d 74.3 95.5 1,482.4 1,466.8 9.9 5.7 -189.5 2,097.7 154
Actuarial Estimates

44

4. Factors Underlying Changes in 10-Year Trust Fund Ratio Estimates

From the 2011 Report

Table IV.A4 presents an analysis of the factors underlying the changes in the

intermediate estimates for the OASI, DI, and the combined funds from last

year’s report to this report.

In the 2011 report, the trust fund ratio for OASI reached 339 percent at the

beginning of 2020—the tenth projection year from that report. The change in

the short-range valuation period alone, from 2011-20 to 2012-21, lowered

the estimated ratio for the tenth year by 13 percentage points, to 326 percent.

Changes to reflect legislation enacted since last year’s report, the most recent

data, adjustments to the assumptions for future years, and changes in projection methods further reduced the ratio for the tenth projection year to 280

percent.

Changes in demographic assumptions over the short-range period reduced

the projected tenth-year trust fund ratio by 2 percentage points. Changes in

economic data and assumptions, which include the effect of the actual 3.6

percent cost-of-living adjustment for December 2011, as well as slower

growth in average earnings, lower interest rates, and higher unemployment

rates due to a longer period of recovery from the recent recession, reduced

the trust fund ratio by 53 percentage points by the beginning of 2021. Incorporating recent programmatic data, including the numbers of beneficiaries

and amount of benefit payments, increased the 2021 trust fund ratio by 8 percentage points. In addition, there were several relatively minor changes in

the short-range projection methodology since the 2011 report, none of which

had a significant effect on the ending trust fund ratio. Finally, legislation

enacted since the 2011 report did not have any significant impact on the projected ending OASI Trust Fund ratio in this report.

Table IV.A4 also shows corresponding estimates of the factors underlying

the changes in the financial projections for the DI Trust Fund, and for the

combined OASI and DI Trust Funds. The ratios at the beginning of 2020 for

the DI Trust Fund and the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds in last year’s

report, as well as the corresponding ratios for the beginning of 2021 in this

year’s report, are theoretical because the Trustees project that the DI Trust

Fund will be depleted prior to the end of the short range projection period.

The 51 percentage point decrease in the DI trust fund ratio is largely due to

the change in the valuation period, as well as updates to economic data and

assumptions that account for continuing effects of the economic downturn

that began in December 2007. The incorporation of recent programmatic

data accounts for the remainder of the change.
45

Short-Range Estimates

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table IV.A4.—Reasons for Change in Trust Fund Ratios at the Beginning 

of the Tenth Year of Projection

[In percent]

Item

OASI

Trust Fund

DI

Trust Fund

OASI and DI

Trust Funds,

combined

Trust fund ratio shown in last year’s report for calendar year 2020a.

a Figures for DI, and OASI and DI combined, are theoretical because the DI trust fund is depleted before the

beginning of the tenth year under the assumptions of each report.

339 -23 284

Change in trust fund ratio due to changes in: 

Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bb b

Valuation period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -13 -14 -12

Demographic data and assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2 b -2

Economic data and assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -53 -36 -50

Programmatic data and assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 -2 7

Projection methods and data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b

b Between -0.5 and 0.5 percent.

b b

Total change in trust fund ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -59 -51 -57

Trust fund ratio shown in this report for calendar year 2021a . . . . . . 280 -74 227
Actuarial Estimates

46

B. LONG-RANGE ESTIMATES

The Trustees use three types of financial measures to assess the actuarial status of the Social Security trust funds under the financing approach specified

in current law: (1) annual cash-flow measures, including income rates, cost

rates, and balances; (2) trust fund ratios; and (3) summary measures such as

actuarial balances and unfunded obligations.

The difference between the annual income rate and annual cost rate, both

expressed as percentages of taxable payroll, is the annual balance. The level

and trend of the annual balances at the end of the 75-year projection period

are critical factors that the Trustees use to assess the financial condition of

the program.

The trust fund ratio for a year is the proportion of the year’s projected cost

that could be paid with funds available at the beginning of the year. Critical

factors considered by the Trustees include: (1) the level and year of maximum trust fund ratio; (2) the year of exhaustion of the funds; and (3) the stability of the trust fund ratio at the end of the long-range period. “Sustainable

solvency” occurs when the program has positive trust fund ratios throughout

the 75-year projection period that are either stable or rising at the end of the

period.

Summarized measures indicate whether projected income is sufficient, on

average, for the whole period. The Trustees summarize the total income and

cost over valuation periods that extend through 75 years and over the infinite

horizon. This section presents two summarized measures: (1) the actuarial

balance; and (2) the open group unfunded obligation. The actuarial balance

indicates the size of any surplus or shortfall as a percentage of the taxable

payroll over the period. The open group unfunded obligation indicates the

size of any shortfall in present-value dollars.

This section also includes additional information that the Trustees use to

assess the financial status of the Social Security program, including: (1) a

comparison of the number of beneficiaries to the number of covered workers; (2) the test of long-range close actuarial balance; and (3) the reasons for

the change in the actuarial balance from the last report.

1. Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances

The concepts of income rate and cost rate, expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll, are essential to consideration of the long-range actuarial status

of the trust funds. The annual income rate is the ratio of all non-interest

income to the OASDI taxable payroll for the year. Non-interest income

includes payroll taxes, taxes on scheduled benefits, and general fund trans-
47

Long-Range Estimates

fers. The OASDI taxable payroll consists of the total earnings subject to

OASDI taxes with some relatively small adjustments.1 The annual cost rate

is the ratio of the cost of the program to the taxable payroll for the year. The

cost includes scheduled benefit payments, administrative expenses, net interchange with the Railroad Retirement program, and payments for vocational

rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries. For any year, the income

rate minus the cost rate is the “balance” for the year.

Table IV.B1 presents a comparison of the estimated annual income rates and

cost rates by trust fund and alternative. Table VI.F8 shows detailed longrange projections of trust fund operations in current dollar amounts.

Under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees project that the OASI

income rate will rise from 11.00 percent of taxable payroll in 2013 to 11.47

percent in 2086. Income from taxation of benefits causes this increase for

two main reasons: (1) benefits are rising faster than payroll; and (2) the benefit-taxation threshold amounts are not indexed, and therefore an increasing

share of benefits will be subject to tax. The pattern of the cost rate is much

different. The OASI cost rate increased from 11.03 percent of taxable payroll

in 2010 to 11.09 percent in 2011. For 2012 and 2013, the Trustees project

larger increases in the cost rate, reaching levels of 11.35 and 11.48 percent of

taxable payroll, respectively. From 2014 to 2017, the growth in the cost rate

slows, as the economic recovery through this period roughly offsets the

effects of the aging population. From 2017 to 2035, the cost rate rises rapidly

because the retirement of the baby-boom generation will increase the number

of beneficiaries much faster than subsequent lower-birth-rate generations

increase the number of workers. From 2037 to 2053, the aging of the babyboom generation causes an increase in the average age of beneficiaries and a

decline in the cost rate. After initial benefit eligibility, benefits increase

annually with price inflation rather than wage inflation. As beneficiaries age,

their benefit amounts drop relative to current average taxable earnings

because wages generally rise more rapidly than prices. After 2053, the Trustees project the OASI cost rate to rise, reaching 15.53 percent of taxable payroll for 2086, primarily because of projected reductions in death rates.

The Trustees’ projections of income rates under the low-cost and high-cost

sets of assumptions are very similar to those projected for the intermediate

assumptions, because income rates are largely a reflection of the payroll tax

rates specified in the law (including reimbursements from the General Fund

of the Treasury to compensate fully for the reduction in payroll tax revenue),

 1 Adjustments include adding deemed wage credits based on military service for 1983-2001 and reflecting

the lower effective tax rates (as compared to the combined employee-employer rate) that apply to multipleemployer “excess wages.” Lower rates also applied to net earnings from self-employment before 1984 and

to income from tips before 1988.
Actuarial Estimates

48

with the gradual change from taxation of benefits noted above. In contrast,

OASI cost rates for the low-cost and high-cost assumptions are significantly

different than those projected for the intermediate assumptions. For the lowcost assumptions, the OASI cost rate decreases from 2012 through 2017, and

then rises until it peaks in 2034 at 13.29 percent of payroll. Thereafter, the

cost rate generally declines gradually until it reaches 11.38 percent of payroll

for 2086, at which point the income rate reaches 11.23 percent. For the highcost assumptions, the OASI cost rate rises throughout the 75-year period. It

rises relatively rapidly through 2035 because of the aging of the baby-boom

generation. Subsequently, the cost rate continues to rise and reaches 21.93

percent of payroll for 2086, at which point the income rate reaches 11.84 percent.

The pattern of the projected OASI annual balance is important in the analysis

of the financial condition of the program. Under the intermediate assumptions, the annual balance is negative throughout the projection period. This

annual deficit rises rapidly, reaching a peak of 3.84 percent of taxable payroll

for 2037, then declines to 3.41 percent of taxable payroll for 2053, and rises

thereafter until it reaches 4.06 percent of taxable payroll for 2086.

Under the low-cost assumptions, the Trustees project the OASI annual balance to be negative in 2012-2013, positive for 2014 through 2019, and negative thereafter. The annual deficit peaks at 1.97 percent of taxable payroll for

2034 and then declines through 2084, reaching a deficit of 0.15 percent of

payroll for 2086. Under the high-cost assumptions, the OASI balance is negative throughout the projection period, with deficits of 2.06 percent for 2020,

6.48 percent for 2050, and 10.09 percent of payroll for 2086.
49

Long-Range Estimates

Table IV.B1.—Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances,

Calendar Years 1990-2090

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Calendar 

year

OASI DI OASDI

Income ratea Cost

rate Balance

Income ratea Cost

rate Balance

Income ratea Cost

rate Balance

Historical data:

1990. . . . . 11.47 9.66 1.82 1.18 1.09 0.10 12.66 10.74 1.91

1995. . . . . 10.64 10.22 .42 1.87 1.44 .43 12.51 11.67 .85

2000. . . . . 10.84 8.97 1.87 1.78 1.42 .36 12.62 10.40 2.23

2001. . . . . 10.90 9.08 1.82 1.82 1.48 .35 12.72 10.55 2.17

2002. . . . . 11.05 9.29 1.76 1.84 1.60 .24 12.90 10.89 2.01

2003. . . . . 10.78 9.34 1.44 1.80 1.68 .12 12.59 11.03 1.56

2004. . . . . 10.73 9.27 1.46 1.79 1.77 .02 12.52 11.05 1.48

2005. . . . . 10.96 9.31 1.65 1.84 1.85 -.02 12.79 11.16 1.63

2006. . . . . 10.96 9.18 1.78 1.83 1.88 -.05 12.79 11.06 1.73

2007. . . . . 11.02 9.45 1.57 1.84 1.88 -.04 12.86 11.33 1.53

2008. . . . . 10.90 9.53 1.37 1.83 2.01 -.19 12.73 11.55 1.18

2009. . . . . 11.22 10.73 .49 1.88 2.31 -.43 13.10 13.04 .06

2010. . . . . 10.73 11.03 -.30 1.79 2.41 -.62 12.51 13.44 -.92

2011 . . . . . 10.88 11.09 -.21 1.81 2.43 -.62 12.68 13.52 -.83

Intermediate:

2012. . . . . 11.07 11.35 -.27 1.82 2.48 -.66 12.89 13.83 -.93

2013. . . . . 11.00 11.48 -.48 1.83 2.47 -.64 12.83 13.95 -1.12

2014. . . . . 11.09 11.55 -.46 1.84 2.43 -.59 12.93 13.98 -1.05

2015. . . . . 11.11 11.58 -.47 1.84 2.38 -.54 12.95 13.97 -1.01

2016. . . . . 11.14 11.61 -.47 1.84 2.33 -.48 12.98 13.94 -.96

2017. . . . . 11.16 11.65 -.49 1.84 2.27 -.42 13.01 13.91 -.91

2018. . . . . 11.19 11.74 -.56 1.85 2.22 -.37 13.03 13.96 -.93

2019. . . . . 11.21 11.94 -.74 1.85 2.19 -.34 13.05 14.13 -1.08

2020. . . . . 11.23 12.20 -.97 1.85 2.18 -.33 13.07 14.37 -1.30

2021. . . . . 11.26 12.47 -1.21 1.85 2.19 -.34 13.11 14.65 -1.55

2025. . . . . 11.33 13.62 -2.29 1.85 2.26 -.41 13.18 15.88 -2.70

2030. . . . . 11.39 14.77 -3.38 1.85 2.23 -.38 13.25 17.01 -3.76

2035. . . . . 11.42 15.22 -3.80 1.85 2.19 -.33 13.28 17.41 -4.13

2040. . . . . 11.43 15.20 -3.77 1.85 2.16 -.30 13.28 17.36 -4.07

2045. . . . . 11.42 14.98 -3.56 1.86 2.20 -.35 13.28 17.19 -3.91

2050. . . . . 11.42 14.85 -3.43 1.86 2.23 -.37 13.27 17.08 -3.81

2055. . . . . 11.42 14.84 -3.42 1.86 2.25 -.39 13.28 17.09 -3.81

2060. . . . . 11.43 14.92 -3.49 1.86 2.24 -.38 13.28 17.16 -3.87

2065. . . . . 11.43 14.95 -3.52 1.86 2.25 -.39 13.29 17.20 -3.91

2070. . . . . 11.44 15.05 -3.62 1.86 2.27 -.41 13.30 17.33 -4.03

2075. . . . . 11.45 15.18 -3.74 1.86 2.28 -.42 13.31 17.46 -4.16

2080. . . . . 11.45 15.31 -3.85 1.86 2.30 -.44 13.32 17.60 -4.29

2085. . . . . 11.47 15.49 -4.03 1.86 2.30 -.44 13.33 17.79 -4.47

2090. . . . . 11.48 15.68 -4.21 1.86 2.30 -.44 13.34 17.98 -4.64

First year balance becomes

negative and remains negative

through 2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010

Low-cost:

2012. . . . . 11.02 11.21 -.19 1.81 2.41 -.60 12.83 13.63 -.79

2013. . . . . 11.03 11.18 -.15 1.83 2.34 -.51 12.87 13.52 -.65

2014. . . . . 11.07 11.07 b 1.84 2.24 -.40 12.90 13.30 -.40

2015. . . . . 11.08 10.96 .12 1.84 2.14 -.30 12.92 13.09 -.18

2016. . . . . 11.10 10.88 .22 1.84 2.04 -.21 12.94 12.93 .01

2017. . . . . 11.12 10.88 .24 1.84 1.96 -.12 12.96 12.84 .12

2018. . . . . 11.15 10.93 .22 1.84 1.90 -.06 12.99 12.83 .16

2019. . . . . 11.16 11.07 .10 1.84 1.86 -.02 13.00 12.92 .08

2020. . . . . 11.18 11.23 -.05 1.84 1.82 .01 13.01 13.05 -.04

2021. . . . . 11.20 11.39 -.20 1.84 1.81 .03 13.04 13.21 -.17
Actuarial Estimates

50

Notes:

1. The income rate excludes interest income.

2. Revisions of taxable payroll may change some historical values.

3. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

The DI cost rate rose substantially from 1.88 percent of taxable payroll in

2007 to 2.43 percent for 2011 due to the recent economic recession. Under

Low-cost (Cont.):

2025. . . . . 11.25 12.26 -1.01 1.84 1.79 0.05 13.09 14.05 -0.96

2030. . . . . 11.30 13.08 -1.78 1.84 1.70 .14 13.14 14.79 -1.65

2035. . . . . 11.32 13.28 -1.96 1.84 1.63 .21 13.16 14.90 -1.75

2040. . . . . 11.31 13.06 -1.75 1.84 1.58 .26 13.15 14.64 -1.49

2045. . . . . 11.29 12.68 -1.39 1.84 1.59 .25 13.13 14.28 -1.15

2050. . . . . 11.28 12.41 -1.13 1.84 1.59 .25 13.12 14.00 -.88

2055. . . . . 11.27 12.24 -.97 1.84 1.58 .26 13.11 13.82 -.71

2060. . . . . 11.26 12.11 -.85 1.84 1.55 .29 13.10 13.66 -.56

2065. . . . . 11.25 11.91 -.65 1.84 1.54 .30 13.09 13.45 -.36

2070. . . . . 11.25 11.73 -.49 1.84 1.54 .29 13.08 13.28 -.19

2075. . . . . 11.24 11.56 -.33 1.84 1.54 .29 13.08 13.11 -.03

2080. . . . . 11.23 11.41 -.18 1.84 1.56 .28 13.07 12.97 .10

2085. . . . . 11.23 11.38 -.15 1.84 1.57 .27 13.07 12.95 .12

2090. . . . . 11.23 11.42 -.19 1.84 1.57 .27 13.07 13.00 .07

First year balance becomes

negative and remains negative

through 2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c

High-cost:

2012. . . . . 11.16 11.55 -.40 1.83 2.57 -.73 12.99 14.12 -1.13

2013. . . . . 10.95 11.85 -.90 1.82 2.63 -.81 12.77 14.48 -1.71

2014. . . . . 11.13 12.14 -1.01 1.85 2.68 -.83 12.97 14.82 -1.84

2015. . . . . 11.15 12.35 -1.20 1.85 2.70 -.85 13.00 15.05 -2.05

2016. . . . . 11.18 12.51 -1.33 1.85 2.69 -.84 13.03 15.20 -2.17

2017. . . . . 11.21 12.65 -1.43 1.85 2.66 -.81 13.07 15.31 -2.24

2018. . . . . 11.24 12.81 -1.56 1.86 2.63 -.78 13.10 15.44 -2.34

2019. . . . . 11.26 13.04 -1.78 1.86 2.61 -.75 13.12 15.65 -2.53

2020. . . . . 11.29 13.34 -2.06 1.86 2.60 -.74 13.14 15.94 -2.80

2021. . . . . 11.32 13.69 -2.37 1.86 2.63 -.77 13.18 16.32 -3.14

2025. . . . . 11.41 15.15 -3.74 1.87 2.79 -.92 13.28 17.94 -4.66

2030. . . . . 11.50 16.69 -5.19 1.87 2.84 -.97 13.37 19.53 -6.16

2035. . . . . 11.55 17.52 -5.97 1.87 2.84 -.96 13.42 20.36 -6.93

2040. . . . . 11.58 17.84 -6.27 1.87 2.84 -.97 13.45 20.68 -7.23

2045. . . . . 11.59 17.93 -6.34 1.88 2.94 -1.07 13.46 20.87 -7.40

2050. . . . . 11.60 18.08 -6.48 1.88 3.02 -1.14 13.48 21.10 -7.62

2055. . . . . 11.62 18.38 -6.76 1.88 3.09 -1.21 13.50 21.47 -7.97

2060. . . . . 11.65 18.83 -7.17 1.88 3.11 -1.23 13.53 21.94 -8.40

2065. . . . . 11.68 19.27 -7.59 1.89 3.17 -1.28 13.56 22.43 -8.87

2070. . . . . 11.71 19.85 -8.14 1.89 3.22 -1.34 13.60 23.08 -9.47

2075. . . . . 11.76 20.53 -8.77 1.89 3.24 -1.35 13.64 23.77 -10.12

2080. . . . . 11.79 21.18 -9.39 1.89 3.25 -1.37 13.68 24.44 -10.76

2085. . . . . 11.83 21.82 -9.98 1.89 3.23 -1.35 13.72 25.05 -11.33

2090. . . . . 11.86 22.34 -10.47 1.89 3.21 -1.32 13.75 25.54 -11.79

First year balance becomes

negative and remains negative

through 2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010

a Income rates include certain reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury.

b Between -0.005 and 0.005 percent of taxable payroll.

c The Trustees project the annual balance to be negative for a temporary period and return to positive levels

before the end of the projection period.

Table IV.B1.—Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances,

Calendar Years 1990-2090 (Cont.)

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Calendar 

year

OASI DI OASDI

Income

ratea Costrate Balance

Income

ratea Costrate Balance

Income

ratea Costrate Balance
51

Long-Range Estimates

the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees project that the DI cost rate will

increase to 2.48 percent for 2012 and then decline to 2.18 percent for 2020.

From 2020 to 2045, the DI cost rate stays relatively stable and then generally

increases thereafter, reaching 2.30 percent for 2086. The income rate

increases only very slightly from 1.82 percent of taxable payroll for 2012 to

1.86 percent for 2086. The projected annual deficit is 0.66 percent in 2012

and reaches 0.44 percent for 2086.

Under the low-cost assumptions, the Trustees project the DI cost rate will

decline from 2.43 percent of payroll for 2011 to 1.58 percent for 2040, and

will remain relatively stable thereafter, reaching 1.57 percent for 2086. The

annual balance is negative for the first 8 years and is positive throughout the

remainder of the long-range period. For the high-cost assumptions, the Trustees project the DI cost rate to generally rise over the projection period, reaching 3.23 percent for 2086. The annual deficit is 0.73 percent in 2012 and

rises to 1.34 percent for 2086.

Figure IV.B1 shows the patterns of the OASI and DI annual income rates and

cost rates. The variation in income rates by alternative is very small, and, to

simplify the presentation, figure IV.B1 shows only the income rates for alternative II. Income rates generally increase slowly for each of the alternatives

over the long-range period. Taxation of benefits, which is a relatively small

portion of income, is the main source of both the increases in the income rate

and the variation among the alternatives. Increases in income from taxation

of benefits reflect: (1) increases in the total amount of benefits paid; and

(2) the increasing share of individual benefits that will be subject to taxation

because benefit taxation threshold amounts are not indexed.

Figure IV.B1 shows the patterns of the annual balances for OASI and DI. For

each alternative and for historical data, the magnitude of each of the positive

balances, as a percentage of taxable payroll, is the distance between the

appropriate cost-rate curve and the income-rate curve above it. The magnitude of each of the deficits is the distance between the appropriate cost-rate

curve and the income-rate curve below it. The pattern of the projected

OASDI annual balances is important to the analysis of the financial condition of the Social Security program as a whole.

In the future, the costs of OASI, DI, and the combined OASDI programs as a

percentage of taxable payroll are unlikely to fall outside the range encompassed by alternatives I and III because alternatives I and III define a wide

range of demographic and economic conditions.
Actuarial Estimates

52

Long-range OASDI cost and income are generally expressed as percentages

of taxable payroll. However, the Trustees also present cost and income as

shares of gross domestic product (GDP), the value of goods and services produced during the year in the United States. Under alternative II, the Trustees

project the OASDI cost to rise from 5.01 percent of GDP for 2012 to a peak

of 6.36 percent for 2035. Thereafter, OASDI cost as a percentage of GDP

declines to a low of 6.03 percent for 2067 and then increases slowly thereafter, reaching a level of 6.10 percent by 2086. Appendix F presents full estimates of income and cost relative to GDP.

2. Comparison of Workers to Beneficiaries

The Trustees project the OASDI cost rate to increase through 2014 and then

decrease slightly through 2017 as the economy recovers. The cost rate then

rises rapidly between 2017 and 2035, primarily because the number of beneficiaries rises much more rapidly than the number of covered workers as the

baby-boom generation retires. The baby-boom generation had lower fertility

rates than their parents, and the Trustees expect those lower fertility rates to

persist; therefore, the ratio of beneficiaries to workers will rise rapidly and

reach a permanently higher level after the baby-boom generation retires. To

account for increasing longevity, the Trustees project that the ratio of benefi-

 Figure IV.B1.—Long-Range OASI and DI Annual Income Rates and Cost Rates

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Alternative II Income rates

OASI cost rates

DI cost rates

Historical Estimated

OASI

DI III

II

I

III

II

I
53

Long-Range Estimates

ciaries to workers will generally rise slowly thereafter. Table IV.B2 provides

a comparison of the numbers of covered workers and beneficiaries.

Table IV.B2.—Covered Workers and Beneficiaries, Calendar Years 1945-2090

Calendar year

Covered

workersa

(in thousands)

Beneficiariesb (in thousands) Covered

workers per

OASDI

beneficiary

OASDI

beneficiaries

per 100

covered

OASI DI OASDI workers

Historical data:

1945 . . . . . . . . . 46,390 1,106 - 1,106 41.9 2

1950 . . . . . . . . . 48,280 2,930 - 2,930 16.5 6

1955 . . . . . . . . . 65,065 7,564 - 7,564 8.6 12

1960 . . . . . . . . . 72,370 13,740 522 14,262 5.1 20

1965 . . . . . . . . . 80,533 18,509 1,648 20,157 4.0 25

1970 . . . . . . . . . 92,906 22,618 2,568 25,186 3.7 27

1975 . . . . . . . . . 100,140 26,998 4,125 31,123 3.2 31

1980 . . . . . . . . . 112,645 30,384 4,734 35,117 3.2 31

1985 . . . . . . . . . 120,228 32,763 3,874 36,636 3.3 30

1990 . . . . . . . . . 133,070 35,255 4,204 39,459 3.4 30

1995 . . . . . . . . . 140,860 37,364 5,731 43,096 3.3 31

2000 . . . . . . . . . 154,539 38,556 6,606 45,162 3.4 29

2001 . . . . . . . . . 154,881 38,888 6,780 45,668 3.4 29

2002 . . . . . . . . . 154,312 39,117 7,060 46,176 3.3 30

2003 . . . . . . . . . 154,527 39,315 7,438 46,753 3.3 30

2004 . . . . . . . . . 156,259 39,558 7,810 47,368 3.3 30

2005 . . . . . . . . . 158,638 39,961 8,172 48,133 3.3 30

2006 . . . . . . . . . 161,129 40,435 8,428 48,863 3.3 30

2007 . . . . . . . . . 162,928 40,863 8,739 49,603 3.3 30

2008 . . . . . . . . . 162,340 41,355 9,065 50,420 3.2 31

2009 . . . . . . . . . 157,612 42,385 9,475 51,860 3.0 33

2010 . . . . . . . . . 156,978 43,440 9,958 53,398 2.9 34

2011 . . . . . . . . . 157,736 44,388 10,428 54,816 2.9 35

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . . . . . 159,393 45,542 10,803 56,345 2.8 35

2015 . . . . . . . . . 165,087 49,820 11,523 61,343 2.7 37

2020 . . . . . . . . . 173,725 58,132 11,931 70,064 2.5 40

2025 . . . . . . . . . 177,757 66,025 12,572 78,597 2.3 44

2030 . . . . . . . . . 181,233 73,320 12,736 86,055 2.1 47

2035 . . . . . . . . . 185,675 78,079 12,894 90,973 2.0 49

2040 . . . . . . . . . 190,642 80,598 13,168 93,766 2.0 49

2045 . . . . . . . . . 195,742 82,091 13,790 95,881 2.0 49

2050 . . . . . . . . . 200,466 83,957 14,260 98,217 2.0 49

2055 . . . . . . . . . 205,102 86,362 14,706 101,068 2.0 49

2060 . . . . . . . . . 209,850 89,056 15,008 104,064 2.0 50

2065 . . . . . . . . . 214,867 91,587 15,492 107,079 2.0 50

2070 . . . . . . . . . 219,961 94,507 16,013 110,520 2.0 50

2075 . . . . . . . . . 225,036 97,541 16,444 113,986 2.0 51

2080 . . . . . . . . . 230,033 100,589 16,967 117,556 2.0 51

2085 . . . . . . . . . 234,908 104,074 17,384 121,457 1.9 52

2090 . . . . . . . . . 239,791 107,724 17,760 125,484 1.9 52
Actuarial Estimates

54

Notes: 

1. The number of beneficiaries does not include uninsured individuals who receive benefits under Section

228 of the Social Security Act. The General Fund of the Treasury reimburses the trust funds for the costs of

most of these individuals.

2. Historical covered worker and beneficiary data are subject to revision.

3. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

The effect of the demographic shift under the three alternatives on the

OASDI cost rates is clear when one considers the projected number of

OASDI beneficiaries per 100 covered workers. Compared to the 2011 level

of 35 beneficiaries per 100 covered workers, the Trustees project that this

ratio will rise to 49 by 2035 under the intermediate assumptions because the

growth in beneficiaries greatly exceeds the growth in workers. By 2090, this

projected ratio rises further under the intermediate and high-cost assumptions, reaching 52 under the intermediate assumptions and 68 under the highLow-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . 160,063 45,540 10,737 56,277 2.8 35

2015 . . . . . . . . . 168,463 49,757 10,981 60,738 2.8 36

2020 . . . . . . . . . 177,659 57,830 10,767 68,597 2.6 39

2025 . . . . . . . . . 182,719 65,382 10,899 76,281 2.4 42

2030 . . . . . . . . . 186,973 72,163 10,646 82,809 2.3 44

2035 . . . . . . . . . 192,435 76,323 10,525 86,848 2.2 45

2040 . . . . . . . . . 199,044 78,251 10,629 88,880 2.2 45

2045 . . . . . . . . . 206,570 79,286 11,084 90,369 2.3 44

2050 . . . . . . . . . 214,409 80,865 11,466 92,331 2.3 43

2055 . . . . . . . . . 222,822 83,124 11,863 94,987 2.3 43

2060 . . . . . . . . . 231,762 85,688 12,201 97,888 2.4 42

2065 . . . . . . . . . 241,446 88,034 12,736 100,770 2.4 42

2070 . . . . . . . . . 251,881 90,667 13,363 104,030 2.4 41

2075 . . . . . . . . . 263,032 93,369 13,998 107,368 2.4 41

2080 . . . . . . . . . 274,734 96,324 14,790 111,114 2.5 40

2085 . . . . . . . . . 286,798 100,269 15,544 115,813 2.5 40

2090 . . . . . . . . . 299,156 105,029 16,279 121,309 2.5 41

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . 158,363 45,548 10,868 56,417 2.8 36

2015 . . . . . . . . . 160,566 49,861 12,130 61,991 2.6 39

2020 . . . . . . . . . 169,149 58,401 13,265 71,666 2.4 42

2025 . . . . . . . . . 172,802 66,674 14,345 81,019 2.1 47

2030 . . . . . . . . . 175,655 74,551 14,841 89,392 2.0 51

2035 . . . . . . . . . 179,135 80,009 15,240 95,250 1.9 53

2040 . . . . . . . . . 182,465 83,231 15,661 98,892 1.8 54

2045 . . . . . . . . . 185,232 85,288 16,418 101,706 1.8 55

2050 . . . . . . . . . 187,045 87,529 16,930 104,459 1.8 56

2055 . . . . . . . . . 188,220 90,172 17,366 107,539 1.8 57

2060 . . . . . . . . . 189,146 93,055 17,561 110,615 1.7 58

2065 . . . . . . . . . 189,971 95,764 17,894 113,657 1.7 60

2070 . . . . . . . . . 190,395 98,893 18,187 117,080 1.6 61

2075 . . . . . . . . . 190,359 102,173 18,258 120,431 1.6 63

2080 . . . . . . . . . 189,924 105,212 18,284 123,496 1.5 65

2085 . . . . . . . . . 189,189 108,014 18,140 126,154 1.5 67

2090 . . . . . . . . . 188,365 110,301 17,976 128,277 1.5 68

a Workers who are paid at some time during the year for employment on which OASDI taxes are due.

b Beneficiaries with monthly benefits in current-payment status as of June 30.

Table IV.B2.—Covered Workers and Beneficiaries, Calendar Years 1945-2090 (Cont.)

Calendar year

Covered

workersa

(in thousands)

Beneficiariesb (in thousands) Covered

workers per

OASDI

beneficiary

OASDI

beneficiaries

per 100

covered

OASI DI OASDI workers
55

Long-Range Estimates

cost assumptions. Under the low-cost assumptions, this ratio rises to 45 by

2035 and then declines, reaching a stable level of about 40 after 2070. Figure

IV.B2 shows beneficiaries per 100 covered workers.

For each alternative, the curve in figure IV.B2 is strikingly similar to the corresponding cost-rate curve in figure IV.B1. This similarity emphasizes the

extent to which the cost rate is determined by the age distribution of the population. The cost rate is essentially the product of the number of beneficiaries

and their average benefit, divided by the product of the number of covered

workers and their average taxable earnings. For this reason, the pattern of the

annual cost rates is similar to that of the annual ratios of beneficiaries to

workers.

Table IV.B2 also shows the number of covered workers per OASDI beneficiary, which was about 2.9 for 2011. Under the low-cost assumptions, the

Trustees project that this ratio will decline to 2.2 by 2035, and then generally

rise throughout the remainder of the period, reaching 2.5 by 2090. Under the

intermediate assumptions, this ratio declines generally throughout the longrange period, reaching 2.0 for 2035 and 1.9 by 2090. Under the high-cost

assumptions, this ratio decreases steadily to 1.5 by 2090.

 Figure IV.B2.—Number of OASDI Beneficiaries Per 100 Covered Workers

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Historical Estimated

III

II

I
Actuarial Estimates

56

3. Trust Fund Ratios

Trust fund ratios are useful indicators of the adequacy of the financial

resources of the Social Security program. The trust fund ratio for a year is the

assets in a fund at the beginning of a year (which do not include advance tax

transfers) expressed as a percentage of the cost during the year. Under present law, the OASI and DI Trust Funds do not have the authority to borrow

other than in the form of advance tax transfers, which are limited to expected

taxes for the current calendar month. If either trust fund becomes exhausted

during a year, then there would not be sufficient assets in the fund to pay the

full amount of benefits scheduled for the year on a timely basis.

The trust fund ratio serves an additional important purpose in assessing the

actuarial status of the program. If the trust fund ratio is positive throughout

the period and is either level or increasing at the end of the period, then projected adequacy for the long-range period is likely to continue for subsequent

reports. Under these conditions, the program has achieved sustainable solvency.

Table IV.B3 shows the Trustees’ projections of trust fund ratios by alternative, without regard to advance tax transfers that would be effected, for the

separate and combined OASI and DI Trust Funds. The table also shows the

years of trust fund exhaustion by alternative.

Under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees project that the OASI Trust

Fund ratio will decline from 390 percent at the beginning of the period, at

first slowly, and then more rapidly, until the trust fund becomes exhausted in

2035. The DI trust fund ratio has been declining steadily since 2003, and

continues to decline from 109 percent at the beginning of 2012 until the trust

fund becomes exhausted in 2016.

The Trustees estimate that, under the intermediate assumptions, the trust

fund ratio for the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds will decline from 340

percent at the beginning of 2012 until the combined funds become exhausted

in 2033. This is three years earlier than the Trustees projected in last year’s

report.

Under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees project that OASDI cost

will exceed non-interest income for the entire projection period. However,

for the period 2012 through 2020, trust fund income, including interest

income, is more than is needed to cover costs, so combined trust fund assets

continue to grow. Beginning in 2021, combined trust fund assets diminish

until assets are exhausted in 2033.

Under the low-cost assumptions, the trust fund ratio for the DI program

increases from 2020 through the end of the long-range projection period,
57

Long-Range Estimates

reaching the extremely high level of 1,289 percent for 2087. For the OASI

program, the trust fund ratio declines slowly at first, and then more rapidly,

until the trust fund becomes exhausted in 2054. For the combined OASDI

program, the trust fund ratio declines to a low of 7 percent for 2076, and

increases slightly thereafter, reaching 16 percent for 2087. Thus, under the

low-cost assumptions, the DI program and the combined OASDI program

achieve sustainable solvency. However, the trust fund ratio for each program

falls below 25 percent for some years during the 75-year projection period.

In contrast, under the high-cost assumptions, the Trustees estimate that the

OASI trust fund ratio will decline continually to fund exhaustion in 2029.

The DI trust fund ratio declines from 107 percent for 2012 to fund exhaustion in 2015. The combined OASI and DI trust fund ratio declines from 338

percent for 2012 to fund exhaustion in 2027.

The Trustees project large, persistent annual deficits under all but the lowcost assumptions. It is highly likely that lawmakers will need to increase

income, reduce program costs, or both, in order to prevent exhaustion of the

trust funds. The stochastic projections discussed in appendix E suggest that

trust fund exhaustion is highly probable by mid-century.

Even under the high-cost assumptions, however, the combined OASI and DI

Trust Fund assets on hand plus their estimated future income are sufficient to

cover their combined cost until 2027. Under the intermediate assumptions,

the combined starting funds plus estimated future income are sufficient to

cover cost until 2033. The combined program is able to cover cost for the

foreseeable future under the more optimistic low-cost assumptions. In the

2011 report, the Trustees projected that the combined trust funds would

become exhausted in 2029 under the high-cost assumptions and in 2036

under the intermediate assumptions.
Actuarial Estimates

58

..

Figure IV.B3 illustrates the trust fund ratios for the separate OASI and DI

Trust Funds for each of the alternative sets of assumptions. DI Trust Fund

status is more uncertain than OASI Trust Fund status because there is a high

degree of uncertainty associated with future disability prevalence. A graph of

the trust fund ratios for the combined trust funds appears in figure II.D6.

Table IV.B3.—Trust Fund Ratios, Calendar Years 2012-90

[In percent]

Calendar

year

Intermediate Low-cost High-cost

OASI DI OASDI OASI DI OASDI OASI DI OASDI

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390 109 340 390 111 341 390 107 338

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 83 329 383 88 332 379 78 324

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370 58 315 377 69 325 361 47 304

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 34 302 371 52 319 342 17 284

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 12 290 367 40 315 321 a 262

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 a 277 363 31 312 300 a 240

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 a 265 358 25 309 279 a 219

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 a 253 354 23 306 258 a 197

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 a

a The Trustees estimate that the trust fund will be exhausted by the beginning of this year. In addition, the

table includes the year in which the trust fund exhausts.

240 348 22 303 236 a 176

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 a 227 343 23 299 215 a 154

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 a 164 311 33 275 123 a 60

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 a 70 257 59 235 aaa

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 a a 196 119 188 aaa

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa 137 204 144 aaa

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa 85 292 108 aaa

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa 40 385 79 aaa

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 486 55 aaa

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 607 35 aaa

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 733 20 aaa

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 859 10 aaa

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 991 7 aaa

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 1,112 9 aaa

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 1,237 14 aaa

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . aaa a 1,369 19 aaa

Trust fund exhausts 

in . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2035 2016 2033 2054 b b

b The Trustees estimate that the trust fund will not be exhausted within the projection period.

Note: The definition of trust fund ratio appears in the Glossary.The combined ratios shown for years after

exhaustion of the DI Trust Fund are theoretical.

2029 2015 2027

Payable benefits as 

percent of scheduled benefits:

In year of 

exhaustion. . . . 74 79 75 91 b b 68 68 70

In 2086 . . . . . . 72 80 73 99 100 100 51 57 52
59

Long-Range Estimates

4. Summarized Income Rates, Summarized Cost Rates, and Actuarial

Balances

Summarized values for the full 75-year period are useful in analyzing the

program’s long-range financial adequacy over the period as a whole, both

under present law and under proposed modifications to the law. Table IV.B4

presents summarized income rates, summarized cost rates, and actuarial balances for 25-year, 50-year, and 75-year valuation periods. Summarized

income rates are the sum of non-interest income (which includes scheduled

payroll taxes, the projected income from the taxation of scheduled benefits,

and reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury) and the starting

trust fund balance, expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll. Under current law, the total OASDI payroll tax rate, which includes payroll taxes and

reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to make up for the

reduction in payroll tax revenue, will remain at 12.4 percent in the future. In

contrast, the Trustees expect income from taxation of benefits, expressed as a

percentage of taxable payroll, to increase in most years of the long-range

period for two reasons. First, total benefit payments are rising faster than

payroll. Second, the benefit-taxation threshold amounts are not indexed, so

an increasing share of beneficiaries will pay tax on a larger portion of their

benefits. Summarized cost rates are the sum of cost (which includes sched-

 Figure IV.B3.—Long-Range OASI and DI Trust Fund Ratios

[Assets as a percentage of annual cost]

0%

200%

400%

600%

800%

1,000%

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

OASI

DI

Historical Estimated

III

II I

I

II III
Actuarial Estimates

60

uled benefit payments, administrative expenses, net interchange with the

Railroad Retirement program, and payments for vocational rehabilitation

services for disabled beneficiaries) and the cost of reaching a target trust

fund of 100 percent of annual cost at the end of the period, expressed as a

percentage of taxable payroll.

The actuarial balance for a valuation period is equal to the difference

between the summarized income rate and the summarized cost rate for the

period. An actuarial balance of zero for any period indicates that cost for the

period could be met for the period as a whole (but not necessarily at all

points within the period), with a remaining trust fund balance at the end of

the period equal to 100 percent of the following year’s cost. A negative actuarial balance for a period indicates that the present value of income to the

program plus the existing trust fund is less than the present value of the cost

of the program plus the cost of reaching a target trust fund balance of

1 year’s cost by the end of the period. This negative balance, combined with

a falling trust fund ratio, indicates that the current-law level of financing is

not sustainable.

Payroll tax income, expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll, is generally

slightly smaller than the actual tax rates in effect for each period. The reason

for this difference is that workers receive earnings before the trust funds

receive the corresponding payroll taxes. As a result of this timing difference,

payroll tax income received in a given year includes taxes paid from a combination of the taxable payrolls for that year and prior years. When payroll

tax income is divided by taxable payroll for a particular year (or period of

years), the resulting income rate is slightly lower than the applicable tax rate

for the period. 

Table IV.B4 contains summarized rates for the intermediate, low-cost, and

high-cost assumptions. The low-cost and high-cost assumptions define a

wide range of possibilities. Financial outcomes as good as the low-cost scenario or as bad as the high-cost scenario are unlikely to occur.

For the 25-year valuation period, the OASDI program has an actuarial balance of 0.38 percent of taxable payroll under the low-cost assumptions, -1.21

percent under the intermediate assumptions, and -3.13 percent under the

high-cost assumptions. These balances indicate that the program is more than

adequately financed for the 25-year valuation period under only the low-cost

projections.

For the 50-year valuation period, the OASDI program has actuarial balances

of -0.16 percent under the low-cost assumptions, -2.28 percent under the

intermediate assumptions, and -4.91 percent under the high-cost assumptions. These actuarial deficits mean that the program is not adequately
61

Long-Range Estimates

financed for the 50-year valuation period under the intermediate and highcost sets of assumptions. Under the low-cost projections, in which the combined OASI and DI Trust Fund does not exhaust, the small actuarial deficit

means that the reserves of the trust fund fall below 1 year’s projected program cost by the end of 2061.

For the entire 75-year valuation period, the combined OASDI program again

has actuarial deficits under all three sets of assumptions. The actuarial balance for this long-range valuation period is -0.11 percent of taxable payroll

under the low-cost assumptions, -2.67 percent under the intermediate assumptions, and -5.89 percent under the high-cost assumptions.

Assuming the Trustees’ intermediate assumptions accurately capture future

demographic and economic trends, lawmakers could restore solvency for the

program over the next 75 years using a variety of approaches. For example,

they could immediately increase the combined Social Security payroll tax

rate from 12.40 percent to 15.01 percent, immediately reduce scheduled benefits by 16.2 percent, or use some combination of approaches.

However, eliminating the actuarial deficit over the next 75 years requires

raising payroll taxes or lowering benefits by more than is required just to

achieve solvency, because the actuarial deficit includes the cost of attaining a

target trust fund ratio equal to 100 percent of annual program cost by the end

of the period. Lawmakers could eliminate the actuarial deficit for the 75-year

period by immediately increasing the combined payroll tax from 12.40 percent to 15.16 percent,1 immediately decreasing scheduled benefits by 17.0

percent, or using a combination of these approaches. The Trustees project

that these changes would be sufficient to eliminate the actuarial deficit and

leave an actuarial balance of zero for the OASDI program.

Under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees project large annual deficits toward the end of the long-range period that reach 4.50 percent of payroll for 2086 (see table IV.B1). These large deficits indicate that annual cost

continues to exceed non-interest income after 2086, so continued adequate

financing would require larger changes than those needed to maintain solvency for the 75-year period. Over the period extending through the infinite

horizon, the Trustees estimate the actuarial deficit to be 3.9 percent of taxable payroll under the intermediate assumptions. This deficit indicates that

lawmakers could eliminate the projected infinite horizon shortfall with an

immediate increase in the combined payroll tax rate from 12.4 percent to

 1 The indicated increase in the payroll tax rate of 2.76 percent is somewhat larger than the 2.67 percent

75-year actuarial deficit because the indicated increase reflects a behavioral response to tax rate changes. In

particular, the calculation assumes that an increase in payroll taxes results in a small shift of wages and salaries to forms of employee compensation that are not subject to the payroll tax.
Actuarial Estimates

62

about 16.5 percent.1 They could also eliminate this shortfall by reducing all

current and future benefits immediately by 23.3 percent.

The financial condition of the DI program is substantially worse than that of

the OASI program for the first 25 years. Summarized over the full 75-year

period, however, long-range deficits for the OASI and DI programs under

intermediate assumptions are more similar when measured relative to the

level of program costs. Increases in longevity after 2027, when the disability

conversion age remains fixed, have a greater effect on OASI cost than on DI

cost. As a result of this greater effect on OASI cost, the financial status of the

OASI program in the later portion of the 75-year projection period is worse

than the financial status of the DI program.

 1 The indicated increase in the payroll tax rate of 4.1 percent is somewhat larger than the 3.9 percent infinite

horizon actuarial deficit because the indicated increase reflects a behavioral response to tax rate changes. In

particular, the calculation assumes that an increase in payroll taxes results in a small shift of wages and salaries to forms of employee compensation that are not subject to the payroll tax.
63

Long-Range Estimates

.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table IV.B5 presents the components and the calculation of the long-range

(75-year) actuarial balance under the intermediate assumptions. The present

value of future cost less future non-interest income over the long-range

period, minus the amount of trust fund assets at the beginning of the projection period, amounts to $8.6 trillion for the OASDI program. This amount is

the 75-year “open group unfunded obligation” (see row H). The actuarial

deficit (which is the negative of the actuarial balance) combines this

unfunded obligation with the present value of the ending target trust fund and

expresses the total as a percentage of the present value of the taxable payroll

for the period. The present value of future non-interest income minus cost,

Table IV.B4.—Components of Summarized Income Rates and Cost Rates, 

Calendar Years 2012-86

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Summarized income rate Summarized cost rate

Actuarial

balance

Non-interest

income

Beginning

fund

balance Total Cost

Ending

target

fund Total

OASI:

Intermediate:

2012-36. . . . . 11.29 1.72 13.01 13.28 0.56 13.84 -0.82

2012-61. . . . . 11.36 .97 12.33 14.02 .22 14.24 -1.92

2012-86. . . . . 11.38 .74 12.12 14.29 .13 14.42 -2.30

Low-cost:

2012-36. . . . . 11.22 1.68 12.90 12.05 .49 12.55 .36

2012-61. . . . . 11.26 .93 12.18 12.29 .20 12.48 -.30

2012-86. . . . . 11.26 .68 11.94 12.11 .11 12.23 -.29

High-cost:

2012-36. . . . . 11.37 1.75 13.12 14.72 .65 15.37 -2.25

2012-61. . . . . 11.48 1.00 12.48 16.17 .26 16.44 -3.95

2012-86. . . . . 11.54 .79 12.33 17.05 .15 17.20 -4.87

DI:

Intermediate:

2012-36. . . . . 1.85 .10 1.96 2.26 .08 2.34 -.39

2012-61. . . . . 1.85 .06 1.91 2.24 .03 2.27 -.36

2012-86. . . . . 1.86 .05 1.90 2.25 .02 2.27 -.37

Low-cost:

2012-36. . . . . 1.84 .10 1.94 1.86 .06 1.91 .03

2012-61. . . . . 1.84 .06 1.90 1.73 .03 1.76 .14

2012-86. . . . . 1.84 .04 1.88 1.69 .02 1.70 .18

High-cost:

2012-36. . . . . 1.86 .11 1.97 2.74 .10 2.84 -.87

2012-61. . . . . 1.87 .06 1.93 2.84 .04 2.89 -.95

2012-86. . . . . 1.87 .05 1.92 2.92 .02 2.94 -1.02

OASDI:

Intermediate:

2012-36. . . . . 13.14 1.83 14.97 15.54 .64 16.18 -1.21

2012-61. . . . . 13.21 1.03 14.24 16.26 .26 16.52 -2.28

2012-86. . . . . 13.24 .78 14.02 16.54 .15 16.69 -2.67

Low-cost:

2012-36. . . . . 13.06 1.78 14.84 13.91 .55 14.46 .38

2012-61. . . . . 13.10 .98 14.08 14.02 .22 14.24 -.16

2012-86. . . . . 13.10 .72 13.82 13.80 .13 13.93 -.11

High-cost:

2012-36. . . . . 13.23 1.86 15.09 17.46 .76 18.22 -3.13

2012-61. . . . . 13.35 1.06 14.41 19.01 .31 19.32 -4.91

2012-86. . . . . 13.41 .84 14.25 19.97 .17 20.14 -5.89
Actuarial Estimates

64

plus starting trust fund assets, minus the present value of the ending target

trust fund, is -$9.1 trillion for the OASDI program. The actuarial balance,

expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll for the period, is -2.67 percent.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

5. Additional Measures of OASDI Unfunded Obligations

A negative actuarial balance (i.e., an actuarial deficit) is one measure of the

unfunded obligation of the program. This subsection presents two additional

measures of OASDI unfunded obligations under the intermediate assumptions.

a. Open Group Unfunded Obligations

Consistent with practice since 1965, this report focuses on a 75-year open

group valuation to evaluate the long-run financial status of the OASDI program. The open group valuation includes non-interest income and cost for

past, current, and future participants through the year 2086. The second line

of table IV.B6 shows that the present value of the open group unfunded obligation for the program is $8.6 trillion over 2012-86. The open group

unfunded obligation measures the adequacy of financing over the period as a

whole for a program financed on a pay-as-you-go basis. On this basis, payroll taxes and scheduled benefits for all participants are included through

2086.

Table IV.B6 also presents the 75-year unfunded obligation as percentages of

future OASDI taxable payroll and GDP through 2086. The 75-year unfunded

obligation as a percentage of taxable payroll is less than the actuarial deficit,

Table IV.B5.—Components of 75-Year Actuarial Balance

Under Intermediate Assumptions

Item OASI DI OASDI

Present value as of January 1, 2012 (in billions):

A. Payroll tax revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36,035 $6,119 $42,154

B. Reimbursements from general revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 16 113

C. Taxation of benefits revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,730 202 2,931

D. Non-interest income (A + B + C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,861 6,337 45,198

E. Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,797 7,680 56,477

F. Cost minus non-interest income (E - D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,936 1,343 11,278

G. Trust fund assets at start of period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,524 154 2,678

H. Open group unfunded obligation (F - G). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,412 1,189 8,601

I. Ending target trust funda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

a The calculation of the actuarial balance includes the cost of accumulating a target trust fund balance equal

to 100 percent of annual cost at the end of the period.

436 64 501

J. Income minus cost, plus assets at start of period, minus

ending target trust fund (D - E + G - I = - H - I) . . . . . . . . . . . . -7,848 -1,253 -9,101

K. Taxable payroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341,465 341,465 341,465

Percent of taxable payroll:

Actuarial balance (100 × J ÷ K) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.30 -.37 -2.67
65

Long-Range Estimates

because the unfunded obligation excludes the ending target trust fund value

(see table IV.B5).

Consideration of summary measures alone (such as the actuarial balance and

open group unfunded obligation) for a 75-year period can lead to incorrect

perceptions and to policy prescriptions that do not achieve sustainable solvency. These concerns can be addressed by considering the trend in trust

fund ratios toward the end of the period. See the discussion of “sustainable

solvency” beginning on page 46.

Another measure that reflects the continued, and probably increasing, annual

shortfalls after 75 years is the unfunded obligation extended over the infinite

horizon. The extension of the time period past 75 years assumes that the current-law OASDI program and the demographic and economic trends used for

the 75-year projection continue indefinitely.

Table IV.B6 reports that the OASDI open group unfunded obligation over the

infinite horizon is $20.5 trillion, which is $11.9 trillion larger than for the

75-year period. The $11.9 trillion increment reflects a significant financing

gap projected for OASDI for years after 2086. Of course, the degree of

uncertainty associated with estimates beyond 2086 is substantial.

The $20.5 trillion infinite horizon open group unfunded obligation is 3.9 percent of taxable payroll or 1.3 percent of GDP. These relative measures of the

unfunded obligation over the infinite horizon express its magnitude in relation to the resources potentially available to finance the shortfall.

Notes:

1. The present values of future taxable payroll for 2012-86 and for 2012 through the infinite horizon are

$341.5 trillion and $530.2 trillion, respectively.

2. The present values of GDP for 2012-86 and for 2012 through the infinite horizon are $947.8 trillion and

$1,569.1 trillion, respectively. Present values of GDP shown in the Medicare Trustees Report differ slightly

due to the use of interest discount rates that are specific to each program’s trust fund holdings.

Last year, the Trustees projected that the infinite horizon unfunded obligation

was $17.9 trillion in present value. If the assumptions, methods, and starting

Table IV.B6.—Unfunded OASDI Obligations Through the Infinite Horizon,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions

[Present values as of January 1, 2012; dollar amounts in trillions]

Present

value

Expressed as a percentage

of future payroll and GDP

Taxable

payroll GDP

Unfunded obligation through the infinite horizona . . . . . . . . . . . . 

a Present value of future cost less future non-interest income, reduced by the amount of trust fund assets at

the beginning of 2012. Expressed as a percentage of payroll and GDP for the period 2012 through the infinite horizon.

$20.5 3.9 1.3

Unfunded obligation through 2086b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

b Present value of future cost less future non-interest income through 2086, reduced by the amount of trust

fund assets at the beginning of 2012. Expressed as a percentage of payroll and GDP for the period 2012

through 2086.

8.6 2.5 .9
Actuarial Estimates

66

values had not changed, moving the valuation date forward by 1 year would

have increased the unfunded obligation by about $0.8 trillion, to $18.7 trillion. The net effects of changes in assumptions, methods, and starting values

increased the infinite horizon unfunded obligation by an additional $1.8 trillion, to $20.5 trillion in present value.

The infinite horizon unfunded obligation is 0.3 percentage point higher than

in last year’s report when expressed as a share of taxable payroll, and

0.1 percentage point higher than last year when expressed as a share of GDP.

The main changes affecting the infinite horizon unfunded obligation for this

report are revised starting values, changes in interest rates, changes in nearterm economic assumptions, revisions to ultimate real-wage differential and

disability incidence rates, and other method changes. See section IV.B.7 for

details regarding changes in law, data, methods, and assumptions.

b. Unfunded Obligations for Past, Current, and Future Participants

Table IV.B7 separates the components of the infinite horizon unfunded obligation (with the exception of general fund reimbursements) among past, current, and future participants. The table does not separate the general fund

reimbursements among participants because there is no clear basis for attributing the reimbursements across generations.

The excess of the present value of cost for past and current participants1 over

the present value of dedicated tax income for past and current participants

produces an unfunded obligation for past and current participants of $22.2

trillion. Table IV.B7 also shows an unfunded obligation of $21.6 trillion for

past and current participants, including past and future general fund reimbursements. Future participants will pay dedicated taxes of $1.1 trillion more

into the system than the cost of their benefits ($47.0 trillion of dedicated tax

income as compared to $45.9 trillion of cost). The unfunded obligation for

all participants through the infinite horizon thus equals $20.5 trillion.

This accounting demonstrates that some generations receive benefits with a

present value exceeding the present value of their dedicated tax income,

while other generations receive benefits with a present value less than the

present value of their dedicated tax income, whether general fund reimbursements are included or not. Making Social Security solvent over the infinite

horizon requires some combination of increased revenue or reduced benefits

for current and future participants amounting to $20.5 trillion in present

value, 3.9 percent of future taxable payroll, or 1.3 percent of future GDP.

 1 Individuals who attain age 15 or older in 2012.
67

Long-Range Estimates

Notes:

1. The present value of future taxable payroll for 2012 through the infinite horizon is $530.2 trillion.

2. The present value of GDP for 2012 through the infinite horizon is $1,569.1 trillion.

3. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

6. Test of Long-Range Close Actuarial Balance

The test of long-range close actuarial balance applies to a set of 66 separate

valuation periods beginning with the first 10-year period, and including the

periods of the first 11 years, the first 12 years, up through the full 75-year

projection period. Under the long-range test, the actuarial balance ratio for

each of these valuation periods must meet certain criteria. The actuarial balance ratio is defined as the ratio of the actuarial balance to the summarized

cost rate. The long-range test is met if, for each of the 66 valuation periods,

the actuarial balance ratio is either: (1) not negative; or (2) negative by at

most a specified percentage, the “allowable threshold.” The allowable

threshold is zero for the first 10-year period and decreases uniformly for longer periods until it reaches -5 percent for the 75-year period. To recognize

the greater uncertainty associated with estimates for more distant years, the

criterion for meeting the test is less stringent for the longer periods.

The program fails the test of long-range close actuarial balance if the actuarial balance ratio falls below the allowable threshold for one or more of the 66

separate valuation periods. When the program is out of close actuarial balTable IV.B7.—Present Values of OASDI Cost Less Non-interest Income

and Unfunded Obligations for Program Participants,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions

[Present values as of January 1, 2012; dollar amounts in trillions]

Present

value

Expressed as a 

percentage of future 

payroll and GDP

Taxable

payroll GDP

Present value of past cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.5 8.6 2.9

Less present value of past dedicated tax income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.8 9.0 3.0

Plus present value of future cost for current participants . . . . . . . . . . . 47.9 9.0 3.1

Less present value of future dedicated tax income for current 

participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.5 4.4 1.5

Equals unfunded obligation for past and current participants 

excluding general fund reimbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.2 4.2 1.4

Less present value of past general fund reimbursementsa . . . . . . . . . . . 

a Distribution of general fund reimbursements among past, current, and future participants cannot be determined.

.4 .1 b

b Less than 0.05 percent of GDP.

Less present value of future general fund reimbursements over 

the infinite horizon a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 c

c Less than 0.05 percent of taxable payroll.

b

Equals unfunded obligation for past and current participants 

including general fund reimbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.6 4.1 1.4

Plus present value of cost for future participants over the infinite 

horizon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.9 8.7 2.9

Less present value of dedicated tax income for future participants 

over the infinite horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.0 8.9 3.0

Equals unfunded obligation for all participants through the infinite 

horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.5 3.9 1.3
Actuarial Estimates

68

ance, the program will experience financial problems in the future, and lawmakers should consider ways of improving its financial status. To allow

future beneficiaries and workers to plan effectively for their retirement, lawmakers should not delay necessary changes in program financing or benefit

provisions.

Table IV.B8 presents a comparison, based on the intermediate assumptions,

of the actuarial balance ratios with the allowable thresholds under the longrange test. For display purposes, values are shown only for selected valuation

periods. However, each of the 66 periods is considered for the test. Summarized income rates, summarized cost rates, and actuarial balances for the

25-year, 50-year, and 75-year valuation periods equal those presented in

table IV.B4. Figure IV.B4 is a graphical presentation of the estimated balances as a percentage of the summarized cost rates. It includes the allowable

thresholds for the OASI, DI, and combined OASDI programs. 

For the OASI program, the Trustees estimate that, under the intermediate

assumptions, the actuarial balance ratio does not fall below the allowable

threshold for valuation periods of 10 through 19 years, but it does fall below

for periods of greater than 19 years. For the full 75-year long-range period,

the actuarial balance ratio reaches -15.94 percent, which is 10.94 percent less

than the allowable threshold of -5.0 percent. Although the OASI program

satisfies the test of short-range financial adequacy (as discussed in section

IV.A), it is not in long-range close actuarial balance.

For the DI program, under the intermediate assumptions, the actuarial balance ratio falls below the allowable threshold for all 66 valuation periods.

For the full 75-year long-range period, the actuarial balance ratio reaches

-16.18 percent, which is 11.18 percent less than the allowable threshold of

-5.0 percent. Thus, the DI program fails the short-range test of financial adequacy, and is also not in long-range close actuarial balance.

The long-range test indicates that financing for the DI program is less adequate than for the OASI program, even though long-range actuarial deficits

for the two programs are comparable over the entire 75-year period. The

increase in long-range cost due to the aging of the baby-boom generation

occurs much earlier for the DI program than for the OASI program. As a

result of this earlier impact on the DI program, payroll tax rates that are relatively more adequate for the OASI program during the first 25 years are relatively less adequate later in the long-range period.

For the OASDI program, the Trustees estimate that, under the intermediate

assumptions, the actuarial balance ratio does not fall below the allowable

threshold for valuation periods of 10 through 16 years, but it does fall below

for periods of greater than 16 years. For the full 75-year long-range period,
69

Long-Range Estimates

the actuarial balance ratio reaches -15.97 percent, which is 10.97 percent less

than the allowable threshold of -5.0 percent. Although the OASDI program

satisfies the short-range test of financial adequacy, it is out of long-range

close actuarial balance.

Last year, the Trustees reported that the OASI and DI programs, both separate and combined, were out of close actuarial balance. This year, the Trustees project that the deficits for the OASI, DI, and combined OASDI

programs are larger than in last year’s report for all valuation periods.

 Figure IV.B4.—Test of Long-Range Close Actuarial Balance

[Comparison of long-range actuarial balance ratios with the allowable threshold

for close actuarial balance, based on intermediate assumptions]

-20%

-15%

-10%

-5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 2046 2051 2056 2061 2066 2071 2076 2081 2086

Ending year of valuation period

OASI

OASDI

DI

Actuarial balance ratio

Allowable threshold 

Fails test
Actuarial Estimates

70

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table IV.B8.—Comparison of Actuarial Balance Ratios With the Allowable Threshold in 

the Test of Long-Range Close Actuarial Balance

Based on Intermediate Assumptions

Valuation period

Rates

(percentage of taxable payroll)

Actuarial

balance ratioa

a Ratio of the actuarial balance to the summarized cost rate.

Allowable

threshold

Summarized

income rate

Summarized cost rateActuarial

balance

OASI:

10-year: 2012-21 . . . . . . . 15.39 13.14 2.25 17.12 0.00

15-year: 2012-26 . . . . . . . 14.00 13.26 .75 5.64 -.38

20-year: 2012-31 . . . . . . . 13.37 13.57 -.20 -1.45 -.77

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . 13.01 13.84 -.82 -5.96 -1.15

30-year: 2012-41 . . . . . . . 12.78 14.01 -1.23 -8.79 -1.54

35-year: 2012-46 . . . . . . . 12.62 14.11 -1.49 -10.58 -1.92

40-year: 2012-51 . . . . . . . 12.49 14.16 -1.67 -11.80 -2.31

45-year: 2012-56 . . . . . . . 12.40 14.21 -1.81 -12.72 -2.69

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . 12.33 14.24 -1.92 -13.47 -3.08

55-year: 2012-66 . . . . . . . 12.27 14.28 -2.01 -14.08 -3.46

60-year: 2012-71 . . . . . . . 12.22 14.31 -2.09 -14.61 -3.85

65-year: 2012-76 . . . . . . . 12.18 14.35 -2.17 -15.09 -4.23

70-year: 2012-81 . . . . . . . 12.15 14.38 -2.23 -15.53 -4.62

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . 12.12 14.42 -2.30 -15.94 -5.00

DI:

10-year: 2012-21 . . . . . . . 2.10 2.55 -.45 -17.51 .00

15-year: 2012-26 . . . . . . . 2.02 2.44 -.42 -17.40 -.38

20-year: 2012-31 . . . . . . . 1.98 2.38 -.41 -17.05 -.77

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . 1.96 2.34 -.39 -16.53 -1.15

30-year: 2012-41 . . . . . . . 1.94 2.31 -.37 -16.06 -1.54

35-year: 2012-46 . . . . . . . 1.93 2.30 -.36 -15.89 -1.92

40-year: 2012-51 . . . . . . . 1.92 2.29 -.36 -15.87 -2.31

45-year: 2012-56 . . . . . . . 1.92 2.28 -.36 -15.89 -2.69

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . 1.91 2.27 -.36 -15.88 -3.08

55-year: 2012-66 . . . . . . . 1.91 2.27 -.36 -15.90 -3.46

60-year: 2012-71 . . . . . . . 1.91 2.27 -.36 -15.96 -3.85

65-year: 2012-76 . . . . . . . 1.90 2.27 -.36 -16.02 -4.23

70-year: 2012-81 . . . . . . . 1.90 2.27 -.37 -16.11 -4.62

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . 1.90 2.27 -.37 -16.18 -5.00

OASDI:

10-year: 2012-21 . . . . . . . 17.49 15.68 1.80 11.50 .00

15-year: 2012-26 . . . . . . . 16.02 15.70 .32 2.05 -.38

20-year: 2012-31 . . . . . . . 15.35 15.95 -.60 -3.78 -.77

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . 14.97 16.18 -1.21 -7.49 -1.15

30-year: 2012-41 . . . . . . . 14.72 16.32 -1.60 -9.82 -1.54

35-year: 2012-46 . . . . . . . 14.55 16.40 -1.86 -11.32 -1.92

40-year: 2012-51 . . . . . . . 14.42 16.45 -2.03 -12.36 -2.31

45-year: 2012-56 . . . . . . . 14.32 16.49 -2.17 -13.16 -2.69

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . 14.24 16.52 -2.28 -13.80 -3.08

55-year: 2012-66 . . . . . . . 14.18 16.55 -2.37 -14.33 -3.46

60-year: 2012-71 . . . . . . . 14.13 16.58 -2.45 -14.80 -3.85

65-year: 2012-76 . . . . . . . 14.09 16.61 -2.53 -15.22 -4.23

70-year: 2012-81 . . . . . . . 14.05 16.65 -2.60 -15.61 -4.62

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . 14.02 16.69 -2.67 -15.97 -5.00
71

Long-Range Estimates

7. Reasons for Change in Actuarial Balance From Last Report

Table IV.B9 shows the effects of changes on the long-range actuarial balance, by category, between last year’s report and this report.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

No legislation enacted since the last report had a significant long-range

financial effect on the OASDI program. See section III.B for details. 

Changing the 75-year valuation period from 2011-85 to 2012-86 decreased

the projected long-range OASDI actuarial balance by 0.05 percent of taxable

payroll. This decrease occurred because the 75-year actuarial balance now

includes the relatively large negative annual balance for 2086. Note that the

trust fund assets at the beginning of the projection period are included in the

75-year actuarial balance. Since these assets reflect the program’s net financial flows for all past years, the actuarial balance incorporates financial activity from 1937 through the end of the long-range period.

The Trustees did not change any of the ultimate demographic assumptions

this year. However, updated starting demographic values, and the way these

values transition to ultimate assumptions, decreased the long-range OASDI

actuarial balance by 0.05 percent of taxable payroll. Three changes significantly affect the long-range OASDI actuarial balance. First, preliminary birth

rate data for 2009 and 2010 are lower than had been expected in last year’s

report. The Trustees also project generally lower birth rates than in last

Table IV.B9.—Reasons for Change in the 75-Year Actuarial Balance,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Item OASI DI OASDI

Shown in last year's report:

Income rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.11 1.91 14.02

Cost rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.04 2.21 16.25

Actuarial balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.92 -.30 -2.22

Changes in actuarial balance due to changes in:

Legislation / Regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .00 .00 .00

Valuation perioda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

a The change in the 75-year valuation period from last year’s report to this report means that the 75-year

actuarial balance now includes the relatively large negative annual balance for 2086. This change in the valuation period results in a larger long-range actuarial deficit. The actuarial deficit includes the trust fund balance at the beginning of the projection period.

-.05 -.01 -.05

Demographic data and assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.05 .00 -.05

Economic data and assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.20 -.01 -.21

Disability data and assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .00 -.05 -.04

Methods and programmatic data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.09 .00 -.08

Total change in actuarial balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.37 -.07 -.44

Shown in this report:

Actuarial balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.30 -.37 -2.67

Income rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.12 1.90 14.02

Cost rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.42 2.27 16.69
Actuarial Estimates

72

year’s report during the transition years to ultimate rates. These changes in

birth rates decreased the long-range OASDI actuarial balance by 0.02 percent of taxable payroll. Second, this year’s estimates incorporate final data

on legal immigration for 2010, which are slightly lower than the estimates in

last year’s report. Including these new immigration data decreased the longrange OASDI actuarial balance by 0.01 percent of taxable payroll. Third, the

updated starting population levels, and the interaction of these levels with the

changes in fertility and immigration, decreased the long-range OASDI actuarial balance by 0.02 percent of taxable payroll.

The Trustees changed one of the ultimate economic assumptions this year—

the annual rate of change in average hours worked for the future. The Trustees now assume a decline in average hours worked of 0.05 percent per year,

rather than no change as they assumed last year. This change decreased the

long-range OASDI actuarial balance by 0.07 percent of taxable payroll. Reasons for the change in the ultimate average hours worked include: (1) establishing consistency with the projections of an aging workforce; and (2) the

belief that increasing productivity is likely to result in workers’ desire to

enjoy some of these productivity gains in the form of more leisure. In addition, historical data and trends support this reduction in the assumed average

hours worked. See Section V.B.3 for details. The change in this assumption

lowers the ultimate annual real wage differential by 0.05 percentage point

from last year’s report, with the level of the differential changing from 1.17

percentage points to 1.12 percentage points.

In addition, updated starting values and changes in near-term economic

growth rate assumptions combined to decrease the long-range OASDI actuarial balance by 0.14 percent of taxable payroll. Two specific changes to

starting values and growth assumptions account for this decrease in the actuarial balance. First, starting values for 2011 resulted in higher benefit levels

and lower payroll taxes for 2012 than those projected in last year’s report.

Price inflation in 2011 was higher than expected, with the cost-of-living

adjustment to benefits in December 2011 being 2.9 percentage points higher

than assumed in last year’s report. Furthermore, the average level of taxable

earnings for covered workers in 2011 was about 1.6 percent lower than estimated in last year’s report. The higher-than-expected adjustment to benefits

for 2012, combined with a 2.0 percent lower-than-expected level of average

taxable earnings for 2012, increased annual cost rates for at least the next

20 years. The second main reason for the decrease in the actuarial balance is

the lower projected real interest rates on trust fund investments during the

first 10 years in this year’s report. Real interest rates for new investments

during 2011 are significantly lower than projected in last year’s report, and

these lower real interest rates on new investments continue for several years

before reaching their ultimate levels.
73

Long-Range Estimates

The Trustees revised one of the ultimate disability assumptions in this year’s

report, the assumption of disability incidence. This change in the ultimate

disability incidence rates decreased the long-range OASDI actuarial balance

by 0.04 percent of taxable payroll. Compared to last year’s report, the ultimate age-adjusted disability incidence rates increased by 2 percent for males

and 5 percent for females. The revised ultimate disability incidence rates are

now more consistent with the levels and the trends experienced in the most

recent 10-year historical period.

This report also includes methodological changes and updates of programspecific data that combined to decrease the long-range OASDI actuarial balance by 0.08 percent of taxable payroll. Two methodological changes related

to the projection of average benefit levels for workers who become eligible

for benefits in the future together decreased the long-range OASDI actuarial

balance by about 0.04 percent of taxable payroll. The first methodological

change improves consistency between the projected earnings of new beneficiaries and the projected economy-wide covered worker rates. Compared to

last year’s report, this methodological change increases benefit levels for

workers who become eligible for benefits in the future. The second methodological change slightly increases average benefit levels for retired-worker

beneficiaries and disabled-worker beneficiaries for their first two years of

benefit entitlement. The method for estimating these average benefit levels

now includes beneficiaries who first start receiving benefits more than two

years after their initial entitlement date, who tend to have higher benefits. In

addition to these changes in methodology, updating programmatic data and

projection factors that determine benefit levels and the interaction of all

changes combined to decrease the long-range OASDI actuarial balance by

about 0.04 percent of taxable payroll. As an example of updated projection

factors, updates to post-entitlement factors (used to project the growth in

benefit levels after initial entitlement in excess of the cost-of-living adjustment) decreased the OASDI actuarial balance by about 0.01 percent of taxable payroll.

If the assumptions, methods, and starting values had all remained unchanged

from last year, the OASDI long-range actuarial balance would have become

more negative by 0.05 percent of taxable payroll solely due to the change in

the valuation period. However, the combined changes in data, assumptions,

and methods described above made the actuarial balance more negative by

an additional 0.39 percent of payroll; after rounding, the actuarial balance

changed from -2.22 percent of taxable payroll in last year's report to -2.67

percent in this report. 

Comparing the annual cash-flow balances for this report and the prior year’s

report illustrates the effects of the changes made. Figure IV.B5 provides this
Actuarial Estimates

74

comparison for the combined OASDI program over the long-range (75-year)

projection period.

The annual balance (income rate minus cost rate) for each year in the 75-year

projection period is lower than projected in last year’s report. For 2012, the

annual balance in this report is 0.6 percent of payroll lower than projected in

last year's report. This lower balance for 2012 is mainly due to two factors:

(1) the cost-of-living adjustment to benefits for December 2011 was 2.9 percentage points higher than assumed in last year’s report; and (2) average taxable earnings were 2.0 percent lower for 2012 than assumed in last year’s

report. The difference between the annual balances in the two reports over

the next 5 years remains close to the difference for 2012, as the cost-of-living

adjustment for December 2011 still significantly affects benefit levels for

these years. However, over the following 4 years (2018-21), the difference

between the annual balances in the two reports declines rapidly. Compared to

last year’s report, recovery from the recent recession takes 1 year longer,

with the economy returning to its full employment level in 2019. By 2021,

the difference in the annual balances is only 0.1 percent of payroll. After

2021, the difference between the annual balances increases until around

2040, when it reaches almost 0.4 percent of payroll. For the period 2050

through 2085, the difference between the annual balances decreases and

 Figure IV.B5.—OASDI Annual Balances: 2011 and 2012 Trustees Reports

[As a percentage of taxable payroll, based on intermediate assumptions]

-6%

-4%

-2%

0%

2%

2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

2011 Report

2012 Report
75

Long-Range Estimates

reaches 0.2 percent of payroll in 2085. The annual deficit for 2085 is 4.47

percent of taxable payroll in this report, compared to 4.24 percent for 2085 in

last year's report.

This pattern of differences between the annual balances in the two reports

after 2021 is due to a combination of the changes described earlier in this

section. After 2021, the assumed lower ultimate real wage differential in this

year’s report causes the difference between the annual balances in the two

reports to grow throughout the remainder of the long-range period. This

lower real wage differential explains most of the 0.2 percent of payroll difference in 2085 between the annual balances in the two reports. The assumed

higher ultimate disability incidence rates have a similar effect, but to a lesser

degree; the incidence rates explain about one-fourth of the 0.2 percent of

payroll difference in 2085 between the annual balances in the two reports. In

addition, the population changes contribute to the increasing and then

decreasing pattern of differences between the annual balances after 2021.

Compared to last year’s report, revisions to the starting level population

result in more people age 20 and older through 2030. In 2021, this increase

in the population is slightly greater for the working age population (those

ages 20-64) than for the beneficiary age population (those ages 65 and

older). After 2030, the working age population is smaller in this year’s

report, reflecting the lower starting fertility levels. However, the beneficiary

age population remains greater than in last year’s report until 2065. At the

very end of the long-range period, the working age population is 0.4 percent

less than in last year’s report and the beneficiary age population is 0.6 percent less than in last year’s report.
Assumptions and Methods

76

V. ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS UNDERLYING

ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES

The future income and cost of the OASDI program will depend on many

demographic, economic, and program-specific factors. Trust fund income

will depend on how these factors affect the size and composition of the

working population as well as the level and distribution of earnings. Similarly, program cost will depend on how these factors affect the size and composition of the beneficiary population as well as the general level of benefits.

The Trustees make basic assumptions for several of these factors based on

analysis of historical trends, historical conditions, and expected future conditions. These factors include fertility, mortality, immigration, marriage,

divorce, productivity, inflation, average earnings, unemployment, real interest rate, retirement, and disability incidence and termination. Other factors

depend on these basic assumptions. These other, often interdependent, factors include total population, life expectancy, labor force participation, gross

domestic product, and program-specific factors. Each year the Trustees reexamine these assumptions and methods in light of new information and make

appropriate revisions. The Trustees selected the assumptions for this report

by the end of December 2011.

Future levels of these factors and their interrelationships are inherently

uncertain. To address these uncertainties, this report uses three sets of

assumptions, designated as intermediate (alternative II), low-cost (alternative

I), and high-cost (alternative III). The intermediate set represents the Trustees’ best estimate of the future course of the population and the economy.

With regard to the net effect on the status of the OASDI program, the lowcost set is more optimistic and the high-cost set is more pessimistic. The lowcost and high-cost sets of assumptions reflect significant potential changes in

the interrelationships among factors, as well as changes in the values for

individual factors. 

While it is unlikely that all of the factors and interactions will differ in the

same direction from those expected, many combinations of individual differences in the factors could have a similar overall effect. Outcomes with overall long-range cost as low as the low-cost scenario or as high as the high-cost

scenario are very unlikely. This report also includes sensitivity analysis,

where factors are changed one at a time (see appendix D), and a stochastic

projection, which provides a probability distribution of possible future outcomes that is centered around the intermediate assumptions (see appendix

E).
77

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

Readers should interpret with care the estimates based on the three sets of

alternative assumptions. These estimates are not specific predictions of the

future financial status of the OASDI program, but rather a reasonable range

of future income and cost under a variety of plausible demographic and economic conditions.

The Trustees assume that values for each of the demographic, economic, and

program-specific factors change toward long-range ultimate values from

recent levels or trends within the next 25 years. For extrapolations beyond

the 75-year long-range period, the ultimate levels or trends reached by the

end of the 75-year period remain unchanged. The assumed ultimate values

represent average annual experience or growth rates. Actual future values

will exhibit fluctuations or cyclical patterns, as in the past.

The following sections briefly discuss the various assumptions and methods

required to make the estimates of trust fund financial status, which are the

heart of this report.1 There are, of course, many interrelationships among

these factors that make a sequential presentation potentially misleading. 

A. DEMOGRAPHIC ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS

Table V.A1 displays the principal demographic assumptions relating to fertility, mortality, and net immigration for the three alternatives.

1. Fertility Assumptions

Birth rates by single year of age, for women aged 14 to 49, are the basis for

the fertility assumptions. These rates apply to the total number of women,

across all marital statuses, in the midyear population at each age.

Historically, birth rates in the United States have fluctuated widely. The total

fertility rate2 decreased from 3.31 children per woman at the end of World

War I (1918) to 2.15 during the Great Depression (1936). After 1936, the

total fertility rate rose to 3.68 in 1957 and then fell to 1.74 by 1976. After

1976, the total fertility rate began to rise again until it reached a level of 2.07

 1 Actuarial Studies published by the Office of the Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration, contain

further details about the assumptions, methods, and actuarial estimates. A complete list of available studies

may be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/NOTES/actstud.html. To obtain copies of such studies or of

this report, please submit a request at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/request.html or write to: Office of the

Chief Actuary, 700 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235. This entire report,

along with supplemental year-by-year tables, may also be found at

www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2012/index.html.

 2 Defined to be the average number of children that would be born to a woman in her lifetime if she were to

experience the birth rates by age observed in, or assumed for, the selected year, and if she were to survive the

entire childbearing period. A rate of about 2.1 would ultimately result in a nearly constant population if

immigration and emigration were both zero, and if death rates were to remain at current levels.
Assumptions and Methods

78

for 1990. Since 1990, the total fertility rate has been fairly stable at around

2.00 children per woman. 

These variations in the total fertility rate resulted from changes in many factors, including social attitudes, economic conditions, birth-control practices,

and the racial/ethnic composition of the population. The Trustees expect

future total fertility rates to remain close to recent levels. Certain population

characteristics, such as the higher percentages of women who have never

married, of women who are divorced, and of young women who are in the

labor force, are consistent with continued lower total fertility rates than experienced during the baby-boom era (1946-65). Based on consideration of

these factors, the Trustees assume ultimate total fertility rates of 2.30, 2.00,

and 1.70 children per woman for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost

assumptions, respectively. These ultimate rates are unchanged from last

year’s report.

Based on preliminary data, the estimated total fertility rate decreased to a

level of 2.01 children per woman in 2009, and decreased further to 1.95 in

2010. The recession and high unemployment are likely reasons for these

decreases. For 2011, the estimated total fertility rate rises to 2.03, as the

economy gradually improves. These levels are lower than those estimated in

last year’s report.

For the intermediate alternative, the projected total fertility rate rises slightly

until 2015 when it reaches 2.06. The Trustees then assume the total fertility

rate follows a gradual trend toward the ultimate level in 2036. The Trustees

assume the low-cost and high-cost total fertility rates gradually trend away

from the intermediate path to reach the ultimate values in 2036.

2. Mortality Assumptions

The Office of the Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration develops average percentage reductions in future mortality rates by age group,

sex, and cause of death. The office uses these percentages to estimate future

central death rates by age group, sex, and cause of death. From these estimated central death rates, the office calculates probabilities of death by single year of age and sex.

The Office of the Chief Actuary calculated historical death rates for years

1900-2007 for ages below 65 (and for all ages for years prior to 1968) using

data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).1 For ages 65

 1 These rates reflect NCHS data on deaths and Census estimates of population.
79

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

and over, the office used final Medicare data on deaths and enrollments for

years 1968 through 2007. The office produced death rates by cause of death

at all ages for years 1979-2007 using data from the NCHS.

The total age-sex-adjusted death rate1 declined at an average rate2 of 1.10

percent per year between 1900 and 2007. Between 1979 and 2007, the period

for which death rates were analyzed by cause, the total age-sex-adjusted

death rate, for all causes combined, declined at an average rate of 0.93 percent per year.

Death rates have declined substantially in the U.S. since 1900, with rapid

declines over some periods and slow or no improvement over the other periods. Historical death rates generally declined more slowly for older ages than

for the rest of the population. The age-sex-adjusted death rate for ages 65 and

over declined at an average rate of 0.79 percent per year between 1900 and

2007.

Many factors are responsible for historical reductions in death rates, including increased medical knowledge, increased availability of health-care services, and improvements in sanitation and nutrition. Considering the

expected rate of future progress in these and other areas, the Trustees assume

three alternative sets of ultimate annual percentage reductions in central

death rates by age group and cause of death, for 2036 and later. The intermediate set, alternative II, represents the Trustees’ best estimate. The average

annual percentage reductions for alternative I are generally smaller than

those for alternative II, while those for alternative III are generally larger.

These ultimate annual percentage reductions are similar to those in last

year’s report. However, the same reductions now apply for both males and

females, and the number of causes of death decreased from seven to five.

For the years 2008 through 2011, the assumed reductions in central death

rates are the same as the average annual reductions by age group, sex, and

cause of death observed between 1997 and 2007. After 2011, the assumed

reductions in central death rates for alternative II change rapidly from the

average annual reductions observed between 1997 and 2007, until they reach

the ultimate annual percentage reductions for 2036 and later. The assumed

reductions in death rates under alternatives I and III also rapidly reach their

ultimate levels, but start from levels which are, respectively, 50 and

150 percent of the corresponding alternative II level.

 1 Calculated here as the crude rate that would occur in the enumerated total population, as of April 1, 2000,

if that population were to experience the death rates by age and sex for the selected year.

 2 Average rate of decline is the annual geometric rate of reduction between the first and last years of the

period.
Assumptions and Methods

80

Table V.A1 contains projections of age-sex-adjusted death rates for the total

population (all ages), for ages under 65, and for ages 65 and over. Under the

intermediate assumptions, projected age-sex-adjusted death rates for the total

population are approximately the same as the death rates in last year’s report.

For the age group 65 and over, projected age-sex-adjusted death rates start

slightly lower than in last year’s report and end about 1 percent higher in

2086. These changes primarily result from revising estimates for 2011 and

regrouping the ultimate annual percentage reductions.

After adjusting for changes in the age-sex distribution of the population, the

projected total death rates decline at average annual rates of about

0.39 percent, 0.77 percent, and 1.18 percent between 2011 and 2086 for

alternatives I, II, and III, respectively. In keeping with the patterns observed

in the historical data, the assumed future rates of decline are greater for

younger ages than for older ages, but to a substantially lesser degree than in

the past. Accordingly, the projected age-sex-adjusted death rates for ages 65

and over decline at average annual rates of about 0.36 percent, 0.70 percent,

and 1.06 percent between 2011 and 2086 for alternatives I, II, and III, respectively.

Experts express a wide range of views on the likely rate of future decline in

death rates. For example, the 2011 Technical Panel on Assumptions and

Methods, appointed by the Social Security Advisory Board, believed that

ultimate rates of decline in mortality would be higher than the rates of

decline assumed for the intermediate projections in this report. Others

believe that biological factors, social factors, and limitations on health care

spending may slow future rates of decline in mortality. Evolving trends in

health care and lifestyle will determine what further modifications to the

assumed ultimate rates of decline in mortality will be warranted for future

reports.

3. Immigration Assumptions

In order to develop projections of the total Social Security area population,

the Trustees make assumptions for annual legal immigration, legal emigration, “other immigration,” and “other emigration.” Legal immigration consists of persons who are granted legal permanent resident status. Legal

emigration consists of those legal immigrants and native-born citizens who

leave the Social Security area population. Net legal immigration is the difference between legal immigration and legal emigration. “Other immigration”

consists of immigrants who enter the Social Security area in a given year and

stay to the end of that year without having legal permanent resident status,

such as undocumented immigrants and temporary foreign workers and stu-
81

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

dents. “Other emigration” consists of other immigrants who leave the Social

Security area population or who adjust their status to legal permanent resident. Net other immigration is the difference between other immigration and

other emigration. Net immigration refers to the sum of net legal immigration

and net other immigration.

The Trustees make separate assumptions for the low-cost, intermediate, and

high-cost scenarios. The low-cost scenario includes higher annual net immigration and the high-cost scenario includes lower annual net immigration.

Legal immigration increased after World War II to around 300,000 persons

per year and remained around that level until shortly after 1960. With the

Immigration Act of 1965 and other related changes, annual legal immigration increased to about 400,000 and remained fairly stable until 1977.

Between 1977 and 1990, legal immigration once again increased, averaging

about 580,0001 per year. The Immigration Act of 1990, which took effect in

fiscal year 1992, restructured the immigration categories and increased significantly the number of immigrants who may legally enter the United States.

Legal immigration averaged about 780,0001 persons per year during the

period 1992 through 1999. Legal immigration increased to about 900,000 in

2000 and about 1,060,000 in 2001, primarily due to an increase in the number of persons granted legal permanent resident status as immediate relatives

of U.S. citizens, the only category of legal immigration that is not numerically limited. However, legal immigration declined to less than 800,000 by

2003 as the number of pending applications increased. From 2003 to 2006,

legal immigration increased until it reached about 1,200,000 for 2005 and

2006. For 2007 through 2009, legal immigration decreased to about

1,100,000 and declined further to about 1,050,000 in 2010.

The intermediate alternative assumes that annual legal immigration will be

1,000,000 persons for 2011 and later. Alternatives I and III assume that ultimate annual legal immigration will be 1,200,000 persons and 800,000 persons, respectively. The ultimate assumptions for all of the alternatives are

unchanged from last year’s report.

The assumed ratios of annual legal emigration to legal immigration are 20,

25, and 30 percent for alternatives I, II, and III, respectively. This range is

consistent with the limited historical data for legal emigration from the

Social Security area. These ratios are unchanged from last year’s report.

Under the intermediate alternative, by combining the ultimate annual legal

 1 Excludes those persons who attained legal permanent resident status under the special, one-time provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Assumptions and Methods

82

immigration and emigration assumptions, ultimate annual net legal immigration is 750,000 persons. For the low-cost and high-cost scenarios, ultimate

annual net legal immigration is 960,000 persons and 560,000 persons,

respectively.

The estimated number of other immigrants in the Social Security area population is about 8.8 million persons as of January 1, 2000, and about 13.5 million persons as of January 1, 2007. The estimated other-immigrant

population decreased during the recession to a level of 12.6 million persons

as of January 1, 2010.

Estimated annual other immigration for 2010 and 2011 is 1.0 million and 1.1

million persons, respectively. Due to the recent recession, these levels are

significantly lower than those estimated during the period 2000 through

2006. Under the intermediate assumptions, annual other immigration is 1.2

million in 2012, and increases until 2015 to the ultimate level of 1.5 million

persons. For the low-cost and high-cost scenarios, the future ultimate annual

other immigration is 1.8 million persons and 1.2 million persons, respectively.

Emigration from the other-immigrant population includes those who leave

the Social Security area and those who adjust their status to become legal

permanent residents. This other-immigrant population is highly mobile and

far more likely to leave the Social Security area than is the native-born or

legal-immigrant population. The Office of the Chief Actuary models the

annual number of other immigrants who leave the Social Security area in two

groups. The first departing group equals a proportion of the number of other

immigrants, by age and sex, who have recently entered the Social Security

area. The second departing group derives from applying annual departure

rates, by age and sex, to the other-immigrant population in the Social Security area.

Under the intermediate assumptions, the total annual number of other emigrants who leave the Social Security area averages 665,000 through the 75-

year projection period. In addition, the Trustees assume that the ultimate

annual number of other immigrants who adjust status to become legal permanent residents is 500,000 for the intermediate assumptions. This ultimate

level is one-third of the ultimate annual number of other immigrants entering

the Social Security area. For the low-cost and high-cost scenarios, the total

annual number of other emigrants averages 755,000 and 550,000, respectively, through the 75-year projection period. The Trustees assume the ultimate annual number of people adjusting status to legal permanent resident
83

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

status will be 600,000 persons and 400,000 persons, for the low-cost and

high-cost scenarios, respectively.

Under the assumptions and methods described above, the projected size of

the other-immigrant population grows substantially. This growth reflects the

excess of annual other immigration over the combined annual numbers of

emigrants and deaths that occur within the other-immigrant population.

Estimated annual net other immigration averaged about 660,000 persons

from 2000 through 2004. Estimates of net other immigration for 2005

through 2008 are based on data from the Department of Homeland Security.

The estimated level is 1,045,000 for 2005, decreasing to 710,000 for 2006

and 10,000 for 2007. For 2008, estimated net other immigration is negative,

at -770,000, but returns to a positive level of 40,000 for 2009. Under the

intermediate assumptions, projected net other immigration is about 210,000

persons in 2012, and rises to about 500,000 persons in 2015. Net other immigration then decreases to about 325,000 in 2040 and to about 275,000 in

2090. The decline in net other immigration is due to the increasing number

of other immigrants residing in the Social Security area. Based on the rates

of departure described above, an increase in the number of other immigrants

residing in the Social Security area results in an increase in the number who

emigrate out of the area. The Trustees assume all other components of other

immigration and emigration are stable after 2014, and thus do not contribute

toward any change in net other immigration. Under the intermediate assumptions, the projected average annual level of net other immigration over the

75-year projection period is about 330,000 persons. For the low-cost and

high-cost assumptions, projected average net other immigration is about

420,000 persons per year and 230,000 persons per year, respectively.

The projected average total level of net immigration (legal and other combined) is about 1,080,000 persons per year during the 75-year projection

period under the intermediate assumptions. For the low-cost and high-cost

assumptions, projected average total net immigration is about 1,375,000 persons per year and 790,000 persons per year, respectively.

Demographers express a wide range of views about the future course of

immigration for the United States. Some, like the 2011 Technical Panel mentioned in the previous section, believe that net immigration will increase substantially in the future. Others believe that potential immigrants may be

attracted to other countries or that changes in the law or enforcement of the

law could reduce immigration.
Assumptions and Methods

84

Table V.A1.—Principal Demographic Assumptions, Calendar Years 1940-2090

Calendar year

Total

fertility ratea

Age-sex-adjusted death rateb

per 100,000, by age Net immigrationc d

Total Under 65 65 and over Legale Otherf

Historical data:

1940 . . . . . . . . . 2.23 1,779.1 673.0 9,569.0 45,000 —

1945 . . . . . . . . . 2.42 1,586.6 601.8 8,522.4 55,000 —

1950 . . . . . . . . . 3.03 1,435.6 499.4 8,028.3 170,000 —

1955 . . . . . . . . . 3.50 1,334.2 442.8 7,612.2 210,000 —

1960 . . . . . . . . . 3.61 1,330.9 436.9 7,626.7 200,000 —

1965 . . . . . . . . . 2.88 1,304.6 430.0 7,464.0 230,000 —

1970 . . . . . . . . . 2.43 1,224.3 422.6 6,870.7 280,000 —

1975 . . . . . . . . . 1.77 1,099.0 369.5 6,236.4 295,000 —

1980 . . . . . . . . . 1.82 1,035.9 331.9 5,993.6 410,000 215,000

1985 . . . . . . . . . 1.83 984.2 303.6 5,777.6 435,000 280,000

1990 . . . . . . . . . 2.07 931.2 289.4 5,451.1 500,000 630,000

1995 . . . . . . . . . 1.98 913.9 277.3 5,397.5 575,000 575,000

1996 . . . . . . . . . 1.98 900.4 266.1 5,367.2 665,000 490,000

1997 . . . . . . . . . 1.97 885.1 253.6 5,332.5 570,000 565,000

1998 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 878.3 246.9 5,325.2 490,000 610,000

1999 . . . . . . . . . 2.01 884.4 245.0 5,387.5 520,000 615,000

2000 . . . . . . . . . 2.05 875.7 243.4 5,328.3 670,000 655,000

2001 . . . . . . . . . 2.03 867.5 243.7 5,260.7 795,000 660,000

2002 . . . . . . . . . 2.03 863.9 243.0 5,236.6 730,000 660,000

2003 . . . . . . . . . 2.06 851.8 241.7 5,148.2 575,000 665,000

2004 . . . . . . . . . 2.06 820.4 235.4 4,940.6 750,000 665,000

2005 . . . . . . . . . 2.06 822.6 236.6 4,949.3 870,000 1,045,000

2006 . . . . . . . . . 2.12 799.8 234.2 4,783.5 910,000 710,000

2007 . . . . . . . . . 2.13 782.1 228.9 4,678.1 800,000 10,000

2008 g . . . . . . . . 2.08 789.5 229.9 4,730.4 835,000 -770,000

2009g . . . . . . . . 2.01 781.3 228.3 4,675.8 830,000 40,000

2010g . . . . . . . . 1.95 773.5 226.8 4,624.2 780,000 60,000

2011g . . . . . . . . 2.03 766.2 225.3 4,575.3 750,000 150,000

Intermediate: 

2015 . . . . . . . . . 2.06 739.8 218.9 4,407.7 750,000 500,000

2020 . . . . . . . . . 2.04 708.6 208.7 4,229.3 750,000 455,000

2025 . . . . . . . . . 2.03 678.7 197.9 4,064.7 750,000 410,000

2030 . . . . . . . . . 2.02 650.4 187.5 3,910.6 750,000 375,000

2035 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 623.8 177.6 3,766.0 750,000 345,000

2040 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 598.8 168.3 3,630.4 750,000 325,000

2045 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 575.3 159.6 3,503.1 750,000 310,000

2050 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 553.3 151.4 3,383.5 750,000 300,000

2055 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 532.7 143.8 3,271.0 750,000 295,000

2060 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 513.2 136.7 3,165.1 750,000 290,000

2065 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 494.9 130.0 3,065.1 750,000 285,000

2070 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 477.7 123.7 2,970.7 750,000 285,000

2075 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 461.4 117.7 2,881.5 750,000 280,000

2080 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 446.0 112.2 2,796.9 750,000 280,000

2085 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 431.5 106.9 2,716.8 750,000 280,000

2090 . . . . . . . . . 2.00 417.7 102.0 2,640.7 750,000 275,000
85

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

Low-cost: 

2015 . . . . . . . . . 2.10 762.6 225.2 4,547.6 960,000 410,000

2020 . . . . . . . . . 2.15 750.8 221.3 4,480.2 960,000 635,000

2025 . . . . . . . . . 2.20 735.9 215.9 4,397.8 960,000 560,000

2030 . . . . . . . . . 2.24 720.2 210.2 4,312.1 960,000 505,000

2035 . . . . . . . . . 2.29 704.6 204.5 4,227.1 960,000 460,000

2040 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 689.4 198.8 4,144.0 960,000 430,000

2045 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 674.6 193.4 4,063.6 960,000 405,000

2050 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 660.4 188.2 3,985.8 960,000 390,000

2055 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 646.6 183.1 3,910.7 960,000 375,000

2060 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 633.3 178.2 3,837.9 960,000 365,000

2065 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 620.4 173.5 3,767.5 960,000 360,000

2070 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 607.9 168.9 3,699.3 960,000 355,000

2075 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 595.8 164.5 3,633.3 960,000 350,000

2080 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 584.1 160.2 3,569.3 960,000 350,000

2085 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 572.8 156.1 3,507.4 960,000 350,000

2090 . . . . . . . . . 2.30 561.8 152.1 3,447.3 960,000 345,000

High-cost:

2015 . . . . . . . . . 2.01 716.5 212.4 4,266.6 560,000 40,000

2020 . . . . . . . . . 1.93 664.9 195.2 3,972.7 560,000 340,000

2025 . . . . . . . . . 1.86 619.4 178.6 3,723.7 560,000 305,000

2030 . . . . . . . . . 1.79 578.7 163.4 3,503.3 560,000 275,000

2035 . . . . . . . . . 1.71 542.1 149.7 3,305.5 560,000 250,000

2040 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 509.1 137.4 3,126.8 560,000 235,000

2045 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 479.2 126.3 2,964.8 560,000 230,000

2050 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 452.2 116.3 2,817.3 560,000 225,000

2055 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 427.5 107.3 2,682.6 560,000 220,000

2060 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 405.0 99.2 2,559.1 560,000 220,000

2065 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 384.4 91.8 2,445.5 560,000 220,000

2070 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 365.5 85.1 2,340.6 560,000 215,000

2075 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 348.1 79.0 2,243.6 560,000 215,000

2080 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 332.1 73.4 2,153.6 560,000 215,000

2085 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 317.2 68.3 2,069.8 560,000 210,000

2090 . . . . . . . . . 1.70 303.4 63.7 1,991.5 560,000 210,000

a The total fertility rate for any year is the average number of children who would be born to a woman in her

lifetime if she were to experience the birth rates by age observed in, or assumed for, the selected year, and if

she were to survive the entire childbearing period. The assumed total fertility rate does not change after

2036.

b The age-sex-adjusted death rate is the crude rate that would occur in the enumerated total population as of

April 1, 2000, if that population were to experience the death rates by age and sex observed in, or assumed

for, the selected year.

c Net immigration values are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

d Estimates do not include persons who attained legal permanent resident status under the special one-time

provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

e Historical estimates of net legal immigration assume a 25 percent reduction in legal immigration due to

legal emigration.

f Historical net other immigration estimates depend on a residual method, using Department of Homeland

Security January 1 stock estimates for 2005 through 2010.

g Fertility estimated starting in 2009, mortality estimated starting in 2008, and immigration estimated starting

in 2010.

Table V.A1.—Principal Demographic Assumptions, Calendar Years 1940-2090 (Cont.)

Calendar year

Total

fertility ratea

Age-sex-adjusted death rateb

per 100,000, by age Net immigrationc d

Total Under 65 65 and over Legale Otherf
Assumptions and Methods

86

4. Total Population Estimates

The starting Social Security area population for January 1, 2010 derives

from, with several adjustments, the Census Bureau’s estimate of the residents

of the 50 States and D.C. and U.S. Armed Forces overseas. These adjustments reflect mortality assumptions for the aged population since 2000 that

are consistent with Medicare and Social Security data, net immigration

assumptions for the aged population since 2000, estimates of the net undercount in the 2000 census, inclusion of U.S. citizens living abroad (including

residents of U.S. territories), and inclusion of non-citizens living abroad who

are insured for Social Security benefits. The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the population in the Social Security area by age, sex, and marital status

as of January 1 of each year 2011 through 2090 by combining the assumptions for future fertility, mortality, and net immigration with assumptions on

marriage and divorce. Previous sections of this chapter present the assumptions for future fertility, mortality, and immigration. Assumptions for future

rates of marriage and divorce reflect historical data from the National Center

for Health Statistics.

This report contains a July 1 (i.e., midyear) population for each year, which

derives from surrounding January populations. Table V.A2 shows the historical and projected population as of July 1 by broad age group, for the three

alternatives. Also shown are aged and total dependency ratios (see table footnotes for definitions).
87

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

Table V.A2.—Social Security Area Population as of July 1 and Dependency Ratios,

Calendar Years 1950-2090

Calendar year

Population (in thousands) Dependency ratio

Under 20 20-64

65 and

over Total Ageda Totalb

Historical data:

1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,477 92,849 12,812 160,138 0.138 0.725

1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,059 99,818 17,278 190,155 .173 .905

1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79,999 104,879 19,070 203,948 .182 .945

1970 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,886 112,987 20,888 214,760 .185 .901

1975 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,651 122,551 23,166 224,367 .189 .831

1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74,891 134,036 26,176 235,103 .195 .754

1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,160 144,505 29,069 246,735 .201 .707

1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74,937 152,718 31,909 259,563 .209 .700

1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79,637 160,513 34,424 274,574 .214 .711

2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82,432 169,779 35,692 287,902 .210 .696

2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84,036 179,644 37,322 301,002 .208 .676

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84,997 189,138 41,054 315,189 .217 .666

2011c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84,919 190,647 42,012 317,579 .220 .666

Intermediate:

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,190 194,635 47,615 328,440 .245 .687

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89,096 198,201 55,639 342,936 .281 .730

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91,745 200,268 64,769 356,782 .323 .782

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93,958 202,776 72,747 369,481 .359 .822

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95,929 207,252 77,556 380,737 .374 .837

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97,437 213,336 80,009 390,782 .375 .832

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99,080 219,478 81,523 400,081 .371 .823

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101,025 224,291 83,812 409,127 .374 .824

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103,195 228,390 86,791 418,376 .380 .832

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105,290 232,469 90,299 428,058 .388 .841

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107,179 237,452 93,536 438,167 .394 .845

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108,948 242,384 97,104 448,435 .401 .850

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110,746 247,173 100,718 458,637 .407 .856

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112,662 251,872 104,154 468,689 .414 .861

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114,654 256,075 107,966 478,695 .422 .869

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116,622 260,269 111,847 488,738 .430 .878

Low-cost:

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,525 194,873 47,525 328,923 .244 .688

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90,780 199,479 55,238 345,497 .277 .732

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95,641 202,853 63,894 362,388 .315 .786

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,860 206,618 71,239 378,718 .345 .833

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,485 212,488 75,315 394,288 .354 .856

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111,742 220,578 77,029 409,348 .349 .856

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116,802 229,487 77,910 424,199 .339 .848

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122,073 237,808 79,741 439,622 .335 .849

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127,634 246,147 82,448 456,229 .335 .853

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133,312 255,121 85,797 474,230 .336 .859

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139,187 265,418 88,859 493,465 .335 .859

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145,087 276,379 92,127 513,593 .333 .858

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150,993 288,099 95,326 534,419 .331 .855

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157,006 300,489 98,480 555,975 .328 .850

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163,214 312,655 102,581 578,450 .328 .850

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169,604 324,878 107,441 601,922 .331 .853
Assumptions and Methods

88

Notes:

1. Historical data are subject to revision.

2. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

5. Life Expectancy Estimates

Life expectancy, or average remaining number of years expected prior to

death, is one way to summarize the Trustees’ mortality assumptions. This

report includes life expectancy in two different forms (period and cohort) for

two separate purposes.

 • Period life expectancy for a given year uses the actual or expected death

rates at each age for that year. It is a useful summary statistic for illustrating the overall level of the death rates experienced in a single year.

Period life expectancy for a particular year provides an individual’s

expected average remaining lifetime at a selected age, assuming no

change in death rates after that year. Table V.A3 presents historical and

projected life expectancy calculated on a period basis. While life expectancy relates to the age-sex-adjusted death rate discussed in section

V.A.2, life expectancy places far greater weight on changes in death

rates at lower ages than at higher ages. It is important to keep this concept in mind when considering trends in life expectancy.

High-cost:

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85,479 193,484 47,696 326,659 0.247 0.688

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,836 195,566 56,031 338,433 .287 .731

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87,321 196,539 65,672 349,531 .334 .778

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,647 197,985 74,338 358,970 .375 .813

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85,195 201,243 79,945 366,383 .397 .821

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83,456 205,315 83,200 371,971 .405 .812

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82,198 208,784 85,389 376,371 .409 .803

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81,384 210,331 88,126 379,841 .419 .806

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,882 210,546 91,313 382,741 .434 .818

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,345 210,097 94,922 385,364 .452 .834

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79,424 210,138 98,298 387,860 .468 .846

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,392 209,544 102,124 390,060 .487 .861

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77,501 208,131 106,117 391,749 .510 .882

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76,829 206,199 109,756 392,785 .532 .905

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76,270 204,000 112,945 393,214 .554 .928

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,690 201,963 115,486 393,138 .572 .947

a Ratio of the population at ages 65 and over to the population at ages 20-64.

b Ratio of the population at ages 65 and over and the population under age 20 to the population at ages

20-64.

c Estimated.

Table V.A2.—Social Security Area Population as of July 1 and Dependency Ratios,

Calendar Years 1950-2090 (Cont.)

Calendar year

Population (in thousands) Dependency ratio

Under 20 20-64

65 and

over Total Ageda Totalb
89

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

 • Cohort life expectancy does not use death rates for a single year, but for

the series of years in which the individual will actually reach each succeeding age if he or she survives. Cohort life expectancy provides an

individual’s expected average remaining lifetime at a selected age in a

given year, assuming future changes in death rates. Table V.A4 presents

historical and projected life expectancy calculated on a cohort basis.

Cohort life expectancy is somewhat greater than period life expectancy

for the same year because death rates for any given age tend to decline

as time passes and the cohort grows older.
Assumptions and Methods

90

Table V.A3.—Period Life Expectancya

a The period life expectancy at a given age for a given year is the average number of years of life remaining

if a group of persons at that exact age, born on January 1, were to experience the mortality rates for that year

over the course of their remaining lives.

Historical data

Calendar

year

At birth At age 65

Male Female Male Female

1940 . . . . 61.4 65.7 11.9 13.4

1945 . . . . 62.9 68.4 12.6 14.4

1950 . . . . 65.6 71.1 12.8 15.1

1955 . . . . 66.7 72.8 13.1 15.6

1960 . . . . 66.7 73.2 12.9 15.9

1965 . . . . 66.8 73.8 12.9 16.3

1970 . . . . 67.2 74.9 13.1 17.1

1975 . . . . 68.7 76.6 13.7 18.0

1980 . . . . 69.9 77.5 14.0 18.4

1985 . . . . 71.1 78.2 14.4 18.6

1990 . . . . 71.8 78.9 15.1 19.1

1995 . . . . 72.5 79.1 15.4 19.1

1996 . . . . 73.0 79.2 15.5 19.1

1997 . . . . 73.4 79.4 15.6 19.1

1998 . . . . 73.7 79.4 15.7 19.1

1999 . . . . 73.8 79.3 15.7 19.0

2000 . . . . 74.0 79.4 15.9 19.0

2001 . . . . 74.1 79.4 16.1 19.1

2002 . . . . 74.2 79.5 16.2 19.1

2003 . . . . 74.4 79.6 16.3 19.2

2004 . . . . 74.8 80.0 16.7 19.5

2005 . . . . 74.8 80.0 16.7 19.5

2006 . . . . 75.1 80.2 17.0 19.7

2007 . . . . 75.4 80.4 17.2 19.9

2008 b . . . 75.4 80.3 17.2 19.8

2009 b . . . 75.6 80.4 17.4 19.8

2010 b . . .

b Estimated.

75.7 80.5 17.5 19.9

2011 b . . . 75.9 80.6 17.7 20.0

Intermediate Low-cost High-cost

Calendar

year

At birth At age 65 At birth At age 65 At birth At age 65

Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female

2015 . . . . 76.5 80.9 18.1 20.2 76.1 80.6 17.9 20.0 76.9 81.2 18.4 20.4

2020 . . . . 77.1 81.3 18.5 20.5 76.4 80.8 18.1 20.1 77.9 82.0 19.1 20.9

2025 . . . . 77.7 81.8 18.9 20.8 76.7 81.0 18.2 20.2 78.9 82.8 19.6 21.4

2030 . . . . 78.3 82.3 19.2 21.1 77.0 81.2 18.4 20.4 79.8 83.5 20.1 21.9

2035 . . . . 78.8 82.7 19.5 21.3 77.3 81.5 18.6 20.5 80.6 84.2 20.6 22.3

2040 . . . . 79.4 83.2 19.8 21.6 77.5 81.7 18.7 20.7 81.4 84.8 21.1 22.7

2045 . . . . 79.9 83.6 20.1 21.9 77.8 82.0 18.9 20.8 82.1 85.4 21.5 23.1

2050 . . . . 80.4 84.0 20.4 22.2 78.1 82.2 19.1 21.0 82.8 86.0 21.9 23.5

2055 . . . . 80.9 84.4 20.7 22.4 78.4 82.4 19.2 21.1 83.5 86.6 22.3 23.9

2060 . . . . 81.3 84.8 21.0 22.7 78.7 82.6 19.4 21.3 84.1 87.1 22.7 24.2

2065 . . . . 81.8 85.2 21.2 22.9 78.9 82.9 19.5 21.4 84.7 87.6 23.1 24.6

2070 . . . . 82.2 85.5 21.5 23.1 79.2 83.1 19.7 21.5 85.3 88.1 23.4 24.9

2075 . . . . 82.6 85.9 21.7 23.4 79.5 83.3 19.8 21.7 85.8 88.5 23.8 25.3

2080 . . . . 83.0 86.2 22.0 23.6 79.7 83.5 20.0 21.8 86.3 88.9 24.1 25.6

2085 . . . . 83.4 86.5 22.2 23.8 80.0 83.7 20.1 21.9 86.8 89.4 24.4 25.9

2090 . . . . 83.8 86.8 22.4 24.0 80.2 83.9 20.3 22.1 87.3 89.8 24.7 26.2
91

Demographic Assumptions and Methods

Table V.A4.—Cohort Life Expectancya

a The cohort life expectancy at a given age for a given year is the average number of years of life remaining

if a group of persons at that exact age, born on January 1, were to experience the mortality rates for the series

of years in which they reach each succeeding age.

Calendar

year

Intermediate Low-cost High-cost

At birthb At age 65c At birthb

b Cohort life expectancy at birth for those born in the calendar year is based on a combination of actual and

estimated death rates for birth years 1940 through 2007. For birth years after 2007, these values depend on

estimated death rates.

At age 65 c

c Age 65 cohort life expectancy for those attaining age 65 in calendar years 1940 though 2007 depends on

actual death rates or on a combination of actual and estimated death rates. After 2007, these values depend

on estimated death rates.

At birthb At age 65 c

Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female

1940 . . . . 70.4 76.3 12.7 14.7 70.1 76.0 12.7 14.7 70.7 76.6 12.7 14.7

1945 . . . . 72.2 77.9 13.0 15.4 71.8 77.5 13.0 15.4 72.7 78.4 13.0 15.4

1950 . . . . 73.5 79.2 13.1 16.2 72.9 78.6 13.1 16.2 74.2 79.9 13.1 16.2

1955 . . . . 74.2 79.8 13.1 16.7 73.4 79.1 13.1 16.7 75.1 80.7 13.1 16.7

1960 . . . . 74.9 80.3 13.2 17.4 73.9 79.3 13.2 17.4 76.0 81.4 13.2 17.4

1965 . . . . 75.7 80.8 13.5 18.0 74.6 79.7 13.5 18.0 77.1 82.1 13.5 18.0

1970 . . . . 76.9 81.6 13.8 18.5 75.5 80.3 13.8 18.5 78.5 83.1 13.8 18.5

1975 . . . . 77.8 82.3 14.2 18.7 76.2 80.8 14.2 18.7 79.6 84.0 14.2 18.7

1980 . . . . 78.7 83.0 14.7 18.8 76.8 81.3 14.7 18.8 80.8 84.9 14.7 18.8

1985 . . . . 79.3 83.5 15.4 19.0 77.3 81.7 15.4 19.0 81.6 85.6 15.4 19.0

1990 . . . . 79.9 84.0 16.0 19.3 77.7 82.0 16.0 19.2 82.5 86.3 16.1 19.3

1995 . . . . 80.6 84.6 16.7 19.6 78.2 82.4 16.6 19.4 83.3 87.0 16.8 19.7

1996 . . . . 80.7 84.7 16.9 19.6 78.3 82.5 16.8 19.5 83.5 87.1 17.0 19.8

1997 . . . . 80.8 84.8 17.0 19.7 78.3 82.5 16.9 19.5 83.6 87.3 17.2 19.9

1998 . . . . 80.9 84.8 17.2 19.8 78.4 82.6 17.0 19.6 83.8 87.4 17.3 20.0

1999 . . . . 81.0 84.9 17.3 19.8 78.4 82.6 17.2 19.6 83.9 87.5 17.5 20.1

2000 . . . . 81.1 85.0 17.5 19.9 78.5 82.7 17.3 19.7 84.1 87.6 17.7 20.2

2001 . . . . 81.2 85.1 17.6 20.0 78.6 82.7 17.4 19.7 84.2 87.7 17.8 20.3

2002 . . . . 81.3 85.2 17.7 20.1 78.6 82.8 17.5 19.8 84.3 87.8 18.0 20.4

2003 . . . . 81.4 85.2 17.9 20.2 78.7 82.8 17.6 19.9 84.4 87.9 18.2 20.5

2004 . . . . 81.5 85.3 18.0 20.2 78.7 82.9 17.7 19.9 84.6 88.0 18.3 20.6

2005 . . . . 81.6 85.4 18.1 20.3 78.8 82.9 17.8 20.0 84.7 88.1 18.5 20.7

2006 . . . . 81.7 85.5 18.2 20.4 78.9 83.0 17.8 20.0 84.8 88.2 18.7 20.8

2007 . . . . 81.8 85.5 18.3 20.5 78.9 83.0 17.9 20.0 84.9 88.3 18.8 21.0

2008 . . . . 81.9 85.6 18.4 20.5 79.0 83.1 18.0 20.1 85.1 88.4 19.0 21.1

2009 . . . . 82.0 85.7 18.5 20.6 79.0 83.1 18.0 20.1 85.2 88.5 19.1 21.2

2010 . . . . 82.1 85.8 18.6 20.7 79.1 83.2 18.1 20.2 85.3 88.6 19.3 21.3

2011 . . . . 82.2 85.8 18.7 20.7 79.1 83.2 18.1 20.2 85.5 88.7 19.4 21.4

2015 . . . . 82.5 86.1 19.0 21.0 79.4 83.4 18.3 20.3 86.0 89.1 19.9 21.8

2020 . . . . 83.0 86.5 19.4 21.3 79.6 83.6 18.5 20.5 86.6 89.6 20.5 22.3

2025 . . . . 83.4 86.9 19.7 21.6 79.9 83.8 18.7 20.6 87.1 90.1 21.0 22.8

2030 . . . . 83.8 87.2 20.0 21.9 80.2 84.0 18.8 20.8 87.7 90.6 21.4 23.2

2035 . . . . 84.2 87.5 20.3 22.2 80.4 84.2 19.0 20.9 88.2 91.0 21.9 23.6

2040 . . . . 84.6 87.8 20.6 22.4 80.7 84.4 19.2 21.1 88.7 91.4 22.3 24.0

2045 . . . . 85.0 88.2 20.9 22.7 80.9 84.6 19.3 21.2 89.2 91.8 22.7 24.4

2050 . . . . 85.4 88.5 21.2 23.0 81.1 84.8 19.5 21.4 89.7 92.2 23.1 24.8

2055 . . . . 85.7 88.7 21.5 23.2 81.4 85.0 19.6 21.5 90.1 92.5 23.5 25.1

2060 . . . . 86.1 89.0 21.7 23.4 81.6 85.2 19.8 21.7 90.5 92.9 23.9 25.5

2065 . . . . 86.4 89.3 22.0 23.7 81.8 85.4 19.9 21.8 91.0 93.2 24.2 25.8

2070 . . . . 86.7 89.6 22.2 23.9 82.1 85.6 20.1 21.9 91.4 93.6 24.6 26.1

2075 . . . . 87.1 89.8 22.5 24.1 82.3 85.8 20.2 22.1 91.7 93.9 24.9 26.5

2080 . . . . 87.4 90.1 22.7 24.3 82.5 86.0 20.4 22.2 92.1 94.2 25.3 26.8

2085 . . . . 87.7 90.3 22.9 24.6 82.7 86.1 20.5 22.3 92.5 94.5 25.6 27.1

2090 . . . . 87.9 90.6 23.2 24.8 82.9 86.3 20.7 22.5 92.8 94.8 25.9 27.4
Assumptions and Methods

92

B. ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS

The three alternative sets of economic assumptions project a continuation of

the gradual recovery from the recession that started in December 2007. They

reflect the Trustees’ consensus expectation of sustained moderate economic

growth and their best estimate for various other economic parameters. The

low-cost assumptions represent a more optimistic outlook and assume a

faster recovery, stronger economic growth, and optimistic levels for other

parameters. The high-cost assumptions represent a more pessimistic scenario, beginning with a small second dip to the recession, followed by relatively weak economic growth and pessimistic levels for other parameters.

Actual economic data were available through the third quarter of 2011 at the

time the Trustees set the assumptions for this report. The data indicated that

economic activity peaked in December 20071 with the level of gross domestic product (GDP) about 1 percent above the estimated long-term sustainable

trend level. A severe recession followed, with a low point in the economic

cycle reached in the second quarter of 20092 that was about 7 percent below

the estimated sustainable trend level. The actual growth rate in real GDP has

been positive in all quarters since then, but not as strong as in typical recoveries. The Trustees project that the economy will return to its sustainable

trend level of output within the first 10 years of the projection period and

remain on that trend thereafter. However, the speed of the return varies by

alternative. The Trustees project that the economy will return to its sustainable trend level of output in 2019 for the intermediate assumptions, 2017 for

the low-cost assumptions, and 2021 for the high-cost assumptions, 1 year

later than in last year’s report for each alternative. Complete cycles have little effect on the long-range estimates of financial status, so the assumptions

do not include economic cycles beyond 10 years.

The remainder of this section discusses the key economic assumptions

underlying the three sets of projections of the future financial status of the

combined OASI and DI Trust Funds.

 1 Determination of the December 2007 Peak in Economic Activity, Business Cycle Dating Committee,

National Bureau of Economic Research. See www.nber.org/cycles/dec2008.html.

 2 See www.nber.org/cycles/sept2010.html.
93

Economic Assumptions and Methods

1. Productivity Assumptions

“Total U.S. economy productivity” denotes the ratio of real GDP to hours

worked by all workers.1 The rate of change in total-economy productivity is

a major determinant in the growth of average earnings. Over the last five

complete economic cycles (1966-73, 1973-79, 1979-89, 1989-2000, and

2000-07, measured peak to peak), the annual increases in total productivity

averaged 2.26, 1.08, 1.30, 1.75 and 2.06 percent, respectively. For the 41-

year period from 1966 to 2007, covering those last five complete economic

cycles, the annual increase in total-economy productivity averaged 1.68 percent.

The Trustees set the ultimate annual increases in total-economy productivity

to 1.98, 1.68, and 1.38 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost

assumptions, respectively. These assumptions are consistent with ultimate

annual increases in private non-farm business productivity of 2.39, 2.03, and

1.67 percent. The private non-farm business sector excludes the farm, government, non-profit institution, and private household sectors. These rates of

increase are unchanged from the 2011 report, and reflect the belief that

recent strong growth in private non-farm business productivity is consistent

with future long-term growth that mirrors the long-term trends of the past.

The estimated annual change in total-economy productivity is 0.40 percent

for 2011. For the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees assume the annual

change in productivity will be 1.09 percent for 2012, then average 2.08 percent for 2013 through 2015, gradually decline to 1.62 percent for 2019 and

2020, and reach its ultimate value of 1.68 percent thereafter. For the low-cost

assumptions, the assumed annual change in productivity is 1.44 percent for

2012, averages 2.51 percent for 2013 through 2015, 1.94 percent for 2016

through 2020, and reaches its ultimate value of 1.98 percent thereafter. For

the high-cost assumptions, the assumed annual change in productivity is

0.25 percent for 2012, then averages 1.68 percent for 2013 through 2019, and

reaches the assumed ultimate value of 1.38 percent thereafter.

2. Price Inflation Assumptions

Future changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and

Clerical Workers (CPI) will directly affect the OASDI program through the

automatic cost-of-living benefit increases. Future changes in the GDP price

 1 Historical levels of real GDP are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ National Income and Product

Accounts. Historical total hours worked is an unpublished series provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

that includes all U.S. Armed Forces and civilian employment.
Assumptions and Methods

94

index (GDP deflator) affect the nominal levels of GDP, wages, self-employment income, average earnings, and taxable payroll.

The annual increases in the CPI averaged 4.6, 8.5, 5.3, 3.0, and 2.6 percent

over the economic cycles 1966-73, 1973-79, 1979-89, 1989-2000, and 2000-

07, respectively. The annual increases in the GDP deflator averaged 4.6, 7.7,

4.7, 2.2, and 2.6 percent for the same respective economic cycles. For the 41

years from 1966 to 2007, covering the last five complete economic cycles,

the annual increases in the CPI and GDP deflator averaged 4.6 and 4.1 percent, respectively. For 2011, the estimated annual change is 3.7 percent for

the CPI and 2.1 percent for the GDP deflator.

The Trustees set the ultimate annual increases in the CPI to 1.8, 2.8, and

3.8 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions,

respectively. These rates of increase are unchanged from the 2011 report, and

reflect a belief that: (1) future shocks that increase inflation will likely be offset by succeeding periods of relatively low inflation; and (2) future monetary

policy will be similar to that of the last 20 years, which emphasizes holding

the growth rate in prices to relatively low levels.

For the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees assume the annual change in

the CPI will average 2.0 percent for 2012 through 2015 and then, as the

economy moves toward full employment, increase gradually until it reaches

the ultimate growth rate of 2.8 percent for 2019 and later. The actual levels

of the CPI in the third quarters of 2009 and 2010 were below the level of the

CPI in the third quarter of 2008; therefore, there were no automatic cost-ofliving benefit increases for December 2009 and December 2010. Automatic

cost-of-living benefit increases resumed in December 2011, and the Trustees

project that they will occur in each subsequent year.

For the low-cost assumptions, the Trustees assume the annual change in the

CPI will decline from 1.9 percent for 2012 to 1.3 percent for 2013-2014, and

then gradually increase until it reaches the ultimate annual change of 1.8 percent for 2019 and later. For the high-cost assumptions, the Trustees assume

the annual change in the CPI will increase from 2.2 percent for 2012 until it

reaches the ultimate annual change of 3.8 percent for 2019 and later.

The ultimate annual increase in the GDP deflator is equal to the annual

increase in the CPI minus a price differential. The price differential is based

primarily on methodological differences in the construction of the two indices. The Trustees assume the price differential will be 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 percentage point for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost alternatives,

respectively. Varying the ultimate projected price differential across alternatives recognizes the historical variation in this measure. Accordingly, the

Trustees assume the ultimate annual increase in the GDP deflator will be
95

Economic Assumptions and Methods

1.5 (1.8 less 0.3), 2.4 (2.8 less 0.4), and 3.3 (3.8 less 0.5) percent for the lowcost, intermediate, and high-cost alternatives, respectively. These ultimate

price differentials and GDP deflator growth rates are unchanged from the

2011 report.

The estimated price differential is 1.6 percentage points for 2011. Under the

intermediate assumptions, the assumed price differential is 0.3 percentage

point for 2012. The large change in the price differential between 2011 and

2012 primarily reflects fluctuations in oil prices in recent years. Changes in

oil prices affect the CPI much more than the GDP deflator because oil represents a much larger share of U.S. consumption than of U.S. production. The

Trustees assume no future fluctuations in oil prices because such fluctuations

are inherently unpredictable. Therefore, the Trustees assume the price differential will be 0.3 percentage point in 2012, 0.5 percentage point in 2013, and

then stabilize at 0.4 percentage point in 2014 and later.

3. Average Earnings Assumptions

The average level of nominal earnings in OASDI covered employment for

each year has a direct effect on the size of the taxable payroll and on the

future level of average benefits. In addition, under the automatic-adjustment

provisions in the law, growth in the average wage in the U.S. economy

directly affects certain parameters used in the OASDI benefit formulas as

well as the contribution and benefit base, the exempt amounts under the

retirement earnings test, the amount of earnings required for a quarter of coverage, and certain automatic cost-of-living benefit increases.

“Average U.S. earnings” denotes the ratio of the sum of total U.S. wage and

salary disbursements and net proprietor income to the sum of total U.S. military and civilian employment. The growth rate in average U.S. earnings for

any period is equal to the combined growth rates for total U.S. economy productivity, average hours worked, the ratio of earnings to total compensation

(which reflects fringe benefits), the ratio of total compensation to GDP, and

the GDP deflator.

The average annual change in average hours worked was -0.27 percent over

the last five complete economic cycles covering the period from 1966 to

2007. The annual change in average hours worked averaged -0.71, -0.56,

0.00, 0.15, and -0.63 percent over the economic cycles 1966-73, 1973-79,

1979-89, 1989-2000, and 2000-07, respectively.

The Trustees set the ultimate annual rates of change for average hours

worked at 0.05, -0.05, and -0.15 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and

high-cost assumptions, respectively. These ultimate annual rates of change
Assumptions and Methods

96

for average hours worked are 0.05 percentage point lower than in the 2011

report.

The average annual change in the ratio of earnings to total compensation was

-0.21 percent from 1966 to 2007. Most of this decrease was due to the relative increase in employer-sponsored group health insurance for wage workers. Assuming that the level of total employee compensation does not react

to the amount of employer-sponsored group health insurance, any increase or

decrease in employer-sponsored group health insurance leads to a commensurate decrease or increase in other components of employee compensation,

including wages. Projections of future ratios of earnings to total compensation follow this principle and are consistent with the year-by-year cost of

employer-sponsored group health insurance projected by the Office of the

Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This office projects that the total amount of future employer-sponsored group health insurance will increase more slowly due to provisions of the Affordable Care Act

of 2010, as described in the 2010 report. Data from the Bureau of Economic

Analysis indicate that the other significant component of non-wage

employee compensation is employer contributions to retirement plans, which

this report assumes will grow faster than employee compensation in the

future as life expectancy and potential time in retirement increase.

The Trustees set the average annual rate of change in the ratio of wages to

employee compensation to about -0.03, -0.13, and -0.23 percent for the lowcost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions, respectively. Under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees assume that the ratio of wages to

employee compensation will decline from 0.805 for 2011 to 0.735 for 2086.

The rate of this decline is about half the rate assumed prior to enactment of

the Affordable Care Act of 2010, as described in the 2010 report. The ratio of

earnings to compensation includes self-employment income and selfemployment compensation, which are equal to each other. As a result, the

rate of decline in earnings to compensation (which ultimately averages 0.11

under the intermediate assumptions) is less than the rate of decline in wages

to employee compensation.

The ratio of total compensation (i.e., employee compensation and net proprietor income) to GDP varies over the economic cycle and with changes in the

relative sizes of different sectors of the economy. Over the last five economic

cycles from 1966 to 2007, this ratio has averaged 0.648. The ratio declined

from 0.658 for 2001 to 0.620 for 2010. The Trustees assume that this ratio

will rise as the economy recovers, reaching an ultimate level of 0.649 for

2019. For years after 2019, the Trustees assume the relative sizes of different
97

Economic Assumptions and Methods

sectors of the economy will remain constant, and therefore project the ratio

of total compensation to GDP to remain unchanged.

The projected average annual growth rate in average U.S. earnings from

2025 to 2086 is about 3.95 percent for the intermediate alternative. This

growth rate reflects the average annual growth rate of approximately -0.11

percent for the ratio of earnings to total compensation, and also reflects the

assumed ultimate annual growth rates of 1.68, -0.05, and 2.40 percent for

productivity, average hours worked, and the GDP deflator, respectively. Similarly, the projected average annual growth rate in average nominal U.S.

earnings is 3.53 percent for the low-cost assumptions and 4.36 percent for

the high-cost assumptions.

Over long periods, the Trustees expect the average annual growth rate in the

average wage in OASDI covered employment (henceforth the “average covered wage”) to be very close to the average annual growth rate in average

U.S. earnings. Specifically, the assumed average annual growth rates in the

average covered wage from 2025 to 2086 are 3.51, 3.92, and 4.32 percent for

the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions, respectively. The

Trustees estimate that the annual rate of change in the average covered wage

is 3.60 percent for 2011. For the intermediate assumptions, as the economy

recovers, the Trustees assume the annual rate of change in the average covered wage will average 4.45 percent from 2011 to 2020. Thereafter, the

assumed average annual rate of change in the average covered wage is 3.92

percent.

4. Assumed Real-Wage Differentials

The Trustees have traditionally expressed real increases in the average

OASDI covered wage in the form of real-wage differentials—i.e., the percentage change in the average covered wage minus the percentage change in

the CPI. This differential relates closely to assumed growth rates in average

earnings and productivity, which previous sections of this chapter present.

For the 41-year period including 1967 through 2007, covering the last five

complete economic cycles, the real-wage differential averaged 0.91 percentage point, the result of averages of 1.50, 0.02, 0.43, 1.58, and 0.61 percentage points over the economic cycles 1966-73, 1973-79, 1979-89, 1989-2000,

and 2000-07, respectively.

For the years 2022-86, the Trustees assume that the annual real-wage differentials for OASDI covered employment will average 1.71, 1.12, and 0.51

percentage points for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions,

respectively.
Assumptions and Methods

98

Based on preliminary data, the estimated real-wage differential is -0.10 percentage point for 2011. For the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees

assume that the real-wage differential will increase from 1.74 percentage

points for 2012 to 2.67 percentage points for 2015, an improvement that

reflects the economic recovery. Thereafter, the real-wage differential gradually declines to an average of 1.12 percentage points for 2022 and later. For

the low-cost assumptions, the real-wage differential increases from 2.65 percentage points for 2012 to 3.42 percentage points for 2014, gradually

declines to 1.69 percentage points for 2021, and averages 1.71 percentage

points thereafter. For the high-cost assumptions, the real-wage differential

increases from 0.12 percentage point for 2012 to 2.39 percentage points for

2016-17, gradually declines to 0.56 percentage point for 2021, and averages

0.51 percentage point thereafter.

Table V.B1.—Principal Economic Assumptions

Calendar year 

Annual percentage changea in—

Realwage

differentialb

Productivity

(Total U.S.

economy)

Earnings as

a percent of

compensation

Average

hours

worked

GDP

price

index

Average

annual wage

in covered

employment

Consumer

Price

Index

Historical data:

1960 to 1965. . . . 3.21 -0.20 0.16 1.38 3.22 1.24 1.98

1965 to 1970. . . . 1.98 -.38 -.68 4.07 5.84 4.23 1.61

1970 to 1975. . . . 2.11 -.70 -.87 6.66 6.64 6.76 -.16

1975 to 1980. . . . .93 -.57 -.17 7.31 8.86 8.91 -.06

1980 to 1985. . . . 1.67 -.26 .02 5.23 6.53 5.22 1.30

1985 to 1990. . . . 1.26 .07 -.07 3.22 4.75 3.83 .91

1990 to 1995. . . . 1.19 -.15 .40 2.46 3.59 3.03 .56

1995 to 2000. . . . 2.33 .46 .13 1.69 5.33 2.43 2.91

2000 to 2005. . . . 2.49 -.52 -.80 2.42 2.71 2.49 .23

2005 to 2010. . . . 1.59 -.14 -.49 2.11 2.49 2.30 .20

1966 to 1973. . . . 2.26 -.44 -.71 4.63 6.12 4.61 1.50

1973 to 1979. . . . 1.08 -.67 -.56 7.65 8.57 8.54 .02

1979 to 1989. . . . 1.30 -.14 .00 4.73 5.78 5.31 .43

1989 to 2000. . . . 1.75 .13 .15 2.23 4.54 2.96 1.58

2000 to 2007. . . . 2.06 -.25 -.63 2.61 3.25 2.65 .61

2001 . . . . . . . . . . 2.38 -.52 -1.32 2.26 1.98 2.72 -.75

2002 . . . . . . . . . . 3.16 -1.07 -1.03 1.61 .68 1.38 -.71

2003 . . . . . . . . . . 3.08 -1.30 -1.50 2.11 2.52 2.22 .31

2004 . . . . . . . . . . 2.32 .71 .03 2.81 4.70 2.61 2.09

2005 . . . . . . . . . . 1.51 -.43 -.18 3.32 3.72 3.52 .20

2006 . . . . . . . . . . .82 .50 -.02 3.24 4.76 3.19 1.57

2007 . . . . . . . . . . 1.21 .39 -.41 2.90 4.47 2.88 1.59

2008 . . . . . . . . . . .75 -.62 -.64 2.20 2.23 4.09 -1.85

2009 . . . . . . . . . . 2.13 -1.21 -1.87 1.08 -1.35 -.67 -.68

2010 . . . . . . . . . . 3.07 .25 .53 1.16 2.45 2.07 .38

2011c . . . . . . . . . .40 .20 .81 2.13 3.60 3.70 -.10
99

Economic Assumptions and Methods

Intermediate: 

2012 . . . . . . . . . . 1.09 0.04 0.22 1.70 3.75 2.01 1.74

2013 . . . . . . . . . . 2.07 -.02 .00 1.43 3.93 1.93 2.00

2014 . . . . . . . . . . 2.10 -.17 .06 1.63 4.59 2.03 2.56

2015 . . . . . . . . . . 2.06 -.12 .10 1.72 4.79 2.12 2.67

2016 . . . . . . . . . . 1.88 -.02 .08 1.84 4.80 2.24 2.56

2017 . . . . . . . . . . 1.80 .19 .04 2.04 5.05 2.44 2.60

2018 . . . . . . . . . . 1.77 .11 .01 2.17 4.85 2.57 2.28

2019 . . . . . . . . . . 1.62 -.14 -.03 2.38 4.20 2.78 1.43

2020 . . . . . . . . . . 1.62 -.14 -.05 2.41 4.07 2.81 1.26

2021 . . . . . . . . . . 1.68 -.14 -.05 2.40 3.90 2.80 1.10

2020 to 2025. . . . 1.68 -.13 -.05 2.40 3.83 2.80 1.03

2025 to 2086. . . . 1.68 -.11 -.05 2.40 3.92 2.80 1.12

Low-cost: 

2012 . . . . . . . . . . 1.44 .07 .33 1.84 4.52 1.87 2.65

2013 . . . . . . . . . . 2.76 -.01 .18 1.00 4.64 1.32 3.32

2014 . . . . . . . . . . 2.50 -.15 .21 0.96 4.68 1.26 3.42

2015 . . . . . . . . . . 2.27 -.09 .21 1.06 4.53 1.36 3.17

2016 . . . . . . . . . . 2.06 .02 .16 1.16 4.41 1.46 2.94

2017 . . . . . . . . . . 1.77 .24 .07 1.26 4.19 1.56 2.63

2018 . . . . . . . . . . 1.97 .17 .05 1.36 4.17 1.66 2.50

2019 . . . . . . . . . . 1.98 -.06 .05 1.46 3.72 1.76 1.96

2020 . . . . . . . . . . 1.93 -.06 .05 1.50 3.64 1.80 1.84

2021 . . . . . . . . . . 1.98 -.05 .05 1.50 3.49 1.80 1.69

2020 to 2025. . . . 1.98 -.04 .05 1.50 3.42 1.80 1.62

2025 to 2086. . . . 1.98 -.03 .05 1.50 3.51 1.80 1.71

High-cost: 

2012 . . . . . . . . . . .25 -.01 .03 1.58 2.33 2.21 .12

2013 . . . . . . . . . . 1.62 -.04 -.18 2.09 3.64 2.55 1.09

2014 . . . . . . . . . . 1.52 -.20 -.10 2.30 4.32 2.80 1.52

2015 . . . . . . . . . . 1.76 -.15 -.05 2.54 4.94 3.04 1.90

2016 . . . . . . . . . . 1.93 -.06 .00 2.78 5.66 3.28 2.38

2017 . . . . . . . . . . 1.67 .14 .00 3.02 5.93 3.52 2.41

2018 . . . . . . . . . . 1.62 .04 -.03 3.24 5.83 3.74 2.09

2019 . . . . . . . . . . 1.64 -.20 -.05 3.30 5.27 3.80 1.47

2020 . . . . . . . . . . 1.42 -.22 -.09 3.30 4.80 3.80 1.00

2021 . . . . . . . . . . 1.35 -.23 -.13 3.30 4.36 3.80 .56

2020 to 2025. . . . 1.37 -.21 -.15 3.30 4.24 3.80 .44

2025 to 2086. . . . 1.38 -.20 -.15 3.30 4.32 3.80 .52

a For rows with a single year listed, the value is the annual percentage change from the prior year. For rows

with a range of years listed, the value is the compound average annual percentage change.

b For rows with a single year listed, the value is the annual percentage change in the average annual wage in

covered employment less the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. For rows with a range

of years listed, the value is the average of annual values of the differential. Values are rounded after all computations.

c Historical data are not available for the full year. Estimated values vary slightly by alternative and are

shown for the intermediate assumptions.

Table V.B1.—Principal Economic Assumptions (Cont.)

Calendar year 

Annual percentage changea in—

Realwage

differentialb

Productivity

(Total U.S.

economy)

Earnings as

a percent of

compensation

Average

hours

worked

GDP

price

index

Average

annual wage

in covered

employment

Consumer

Price

Index
Assumptions and Methods

100

5. Labor Force and Unemployment Projections

The Office of the Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration projects the civilian labor force by age, sex, marital status, and presence of children. Projections of the labor force participation rates for each group take

into account disability prevalence, educational attainment, the average level

of Social Security retirement benefits, the state of the economy, and the

change in life expectancy. The projections also include a “cohort effect”,

which reflects a shift upward in female participation rates for cohorts born

through 1948.

The annual rate of growth in the labor force decreased from an average of

about 2.4 percent during the 1966-73 economic cycle and 2.7 percent during

the 1973-79 cycle to 1.7 percent during the 1979-89 cycle, 1.3 percent during

the 1989-2000 cycle, and 1.0 percent during the 2000-07 cycle. The Trustees

expect further slowing of labor force growth due to a substantial slowing of

growth in the working age population in the future—a consequence of the

baby-boom generation approaching retirement and succeeding lower-birthrate cohorts reaching working age. Under the intermediate assumptions, the

Office of the Chief Actuary projects that the labor force will increase by an

average of 0.8 percent per year from 2012 through 2021 and 0.5 percent per

year over the remainder of the 75-year projection period.

The projected labor force participation rates are not basic assumptions. They

derive from a historically based structural relationship that uses demographic

and economic assumptions specific to each alternative. More optimistic economic assumptions in the low-cost alternative are consistent with higher

labor force participation rates, but demographic assumptions in the low-cost

alternative (such as slower improvement in longevity) are consistent with

lower labor force participation rates. These relationships with various basic

assumptions move the labor force participation rates in opposite directions;

therefore, the net effect is small, and projected labor force participation rates

do not vary substantially across alternatives.

Historically, labor force participation rates reflect trends in demographics

and pensions. Between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s, labor force participation rates at ages 50 and over declined for males but were fairly stable for

females. During this period, the baby boom generation reached working age

and more women entered the labor force. This increasing supply of labor

allowed employers to offer attractive early retirement options. Between the

mid-1980s and the mid-1990s, participation rates roughly stabilized for

males and increased for females. Since the mid-1990s, however, participation rates for both sexes at ages 50 and over have generally risen significantly.
101

Economic Assumptions and Methods

Many economic and demographic factors, including longevity, health, disability prevalence, the business cycle, incentives for retirement in Social

Security and private pensions, education, and marriage patterns, will influence future labor force participation rates. The Office of the Chief Actuary

models some of these factors directly. To model the effects of other factors

related to increases in life expectancy, the office adjusts projected participation rates upward for mid-career and older ages to reflect projected increases

in life expectancy. For the intermediate projections, this adjustment increases

the total labor force by 3.1 percent for 2086.

For men age 16 and over, the projected age-adjusted labor force participation

rates1 for 2086 are 73.0, 72.7, and 72.5 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions, respectively. These rates are higher than the

2010 level of 71.2 percent because of: (1) increases due to assumed improvements in life expectancy; (2) decreases due to higher assumed disability

prevalence rates; and (3) decreases due to an increasing proportion of males

who never marry. For women age 16 and over, the projected age-adjusted

labor force participation rates for 2086 are 61.1, 60.8, and 60.6 percent, for

the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions, respectively. These

rates are higher than the 2010 level of 58.6 percent because of: (1) decreases

due to higher assumed disability prevalence rates; (2) increases due to

assumed improvements in life expectancy; and (3) increases due to assumed

changes in the proportion of females who are separated, widowed, divorced,

or never married.

The unemployment rates presented in table V.B2 are in the most commonly

cited form, the civilian rate. For years through 2021, the table presents total

civilian rates without adjustment for the changing age-sex distribution of the

population. For years after 2021, the table presents unemployment rates as

age-sex-adjusted rates, using the age-sex distribution of the 2010 civilian

labor force. Age-sex-adjusted rates allow for more meaningful comparisons

across longer time periods. The effect of age-sex adjustment through 2021 is

small.

The total civilian unemployment rate reflects the projected levels of unemployment for various age-sex groups of the population. The Office of the

Chief Actuary projects each group’s unemployment rate by relating changes

in the unemployment rate to the changes in the economic cycle, as measured

by the ratio of actual to potential GDP. For each alternative, the total civilian

 1 The Office of the Chief Actuary adjusts the labor force participation rates to the 2010 age distribution of

the civilian noninstitutional U.S. population.
Assumptions and Methods

102

unemployment rate moves toward the ultimate assumed rate as the economy

moves toward the long-range sustainable growth path.

The Trustees assume that each alternative will reach the ultimate age-sexadjusted unemployment rate by 2021. The ultimate assumed unemployment

rates are 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and highcost assumptions, respectively. These values are unchanged from the 2011

report.

6. Gross Domestic Product Projections

The value of real GDP equals the product of three components: (1) average

weekly total employment;1 (2) productivity; and (3) average hours worked

per week. Given this formula, the growth rate in real GDP is approximately

equal to the sum of the growth rates for total employment, productivity, and

average hours worked. For the 41-year period from 1966 to 2007, which covers the last five complete economic cycles, the average growth rate in real

GDP was 3.1 percent. This average growth rate approximately equals the

sum of the average growth rates of 1.6, 1.7, and -0.3 percent for total

employment, productivity, and average hours worked, respectively. As a

result of the 2007-09 recession, the real GDP in 2011 was only 0.8 percent

above the 2007 level.

For the intermediate assumptions, the average annual growth in real GDP is

3.0 percent from 2011 to 2021, the approximate sum of component growth

rates of 1.1 percent for total employment, 1.8 percent for productivity, and

0.0 percent for average hours worked. The projected average annual growth

in real GDP of 3.0 percent for this period is 0.7 percentage point higher than

the underlying sustainable trend rate of 2.3 percent. This 0.7 percentage

point above-trend component reflects a relatively rapid increase in employment as the economy recovers and the unemployment rate falls from

9 percent in 2011 to its assumed ultimate level of 5.5 percent in 2019. After

2021, the Trustees do not project any economic cycles. Accordingly, the projected annual growth rate in real GDP combines the projected growth rates

for total employment, total U.S. economy productivity, and average hours

worked. After 2021, the annual growth in real GDP averages 2.1 percent,

based on the assumed ultimate growth rates of 0.5 percent for total employment, 1.7 percent for productivity, and -0.05 percent for average hours

worked.

 1 Total employment is the sum of the U.S. Armed Forces and total civilian employment, which depends on

the projected total civilian labor force and unemployment rates.
103

Economic Assumptions and Methods

For the low-cost assumptions, the annual growth in real GDP averages

3.6 percent over the decade ending in 2021. The relatively faster growth is

due mostly to higher assumed rates of growth for employment and worker

productivity. For the high-cost assumptions, the annual growth in real GDP

averages 2.2 percent for the decade ending in 2021.

7. Interest Rates

Table V.B2 presents average annual nominal and real interest rates for newly

issued trust fund securities. The nominal rate is the average of the nominal

interest rates for special U.S. Government obligations issuable to the trust

funds in each of the 12 months of the year. Interest for these securities is generally compounded semiannually. The “real interest rate” is the annual yield

rate for investments in these securities divided by the annual rate of growth

in the CPI for the first year after issuance. The real rate shown for each year

reflects the actual realized (historical) or expected (future) real yield on securities issuable in the prior year.

To develop a reasonable range of assumed ultimate future real interest rates

for the three alternatives, the Office of the Chief Actuary examined historical

experience for the last five complete economic cycles. For the 41-year period

from 1967 to 2007, the real interest rate averaged 2.8 percent per year. The

real interest rates averaged 1.3, -1.0, 5.2, 4.0, and 2.2 percent per year over

the economic cycles 1967-73, 1974-79, 1980-89, 1990-2000, and 2001-07,

respectively. The assumed ultimate real interest rates are 3.4 percent,

2.9 percent, and 2.4 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost

assumptions, respectively. Compared to the 2011 report, the ultimate real

interest rate is unchanged for the intermediate assumptions, 0.2 percentage

point lower for the low-cost assumptions, and 0.3 percentage point higher for

the high-cost assumptions.1 These ultimate real interest rates, when combined with the ultimate CPI assumptions of 1.8, 2.8, and 3.8 percent, yield

ultimate nominal interest rates of about 5.2 percent for the low-cost assumptions, about 5.7 percent for the intermediate assumptions, and about

6.2 percent for the high-cost assumptions. These nominal rates for newly

issued trust fund securities reach their ultimate levels by the end of the shortrange period.

The actual average annual nominal interest rate was 2.8 percent for 2010,

which means that securities newly issued in 2010 would yield 2.8 percent if

 1 The Trustees narrowed the range of interest rates for three reasons: (1) to reduce the differential effects of

interest rates on the ranges of trust fund ratios produced by the alternative scenarios and the stochastic simulations; (2) to make the range more symmetric; and (3) to offset the widening of the range of estimates for

the alternative scenarios due to other assumption changes.
Assumptions and Methods

104

held 1 year. Estimated average prices rise from 2010 to 2011 by 3.7 percent;

therefore, the annual real interest rate for 2011 is -0.9 percent. For the 10-

year short-range projection period, projected nominal interest rates depend

on changes in the economic cycle and in the CPI. Under the intermediate

assumptions, the nominal interest rate rises to the ultimate assumed level of

5.7 percent by 2021. Under the low-cost assumptions, the average annual

nominal interest rate reaches an ultimate level of about 5.2 percent by 2021.

Under the high-cost assumptions, the rate reaches the ultimate level of about

6.2 percent by 2021.
105

Economic Assumptions and Methods

Table V.B2.—Additional Economic Factors

Calendar year 

Average annual

unemployment ratea

Annual percentage changeb in— Average annual interest rate

Labor

forcec Totalemploymentd RealGDPe Nominalf Realg

Historical data:

1960 to 1965. . . . . 5.5 1.3 1.6 5.0 4.0 2.5

1965 to 1970. . . . . 3.9 2.2 2.1 3.4 5.9 1.0

1970 to 1975. . . . . 6.1 2.5 1.5 2.7 6.7 .0

1975 to 1980. . . . . 6.8 2.7 2.9 3.7 8.5 -.9

1980 to 1985. . . . . 8.3 1.5 1.5 3.2 12.1 6.9

1985 to 1990. . . . . 5.9 1.7 2.0 3.2 8.5 5.1

1990 to 1995. . . . . 6.6 1.0 .9 2.5 7.0 4.3

1995 to 2000. . . . . 4.6 1.5 1.8 4.3 6.2 3.9

2000 to 2005. . . . . 5.4 .9 .7 2.4 4.6 2.4

2005 to 2010. . . . . 6.8 .6 -.4 .7 3.8 1.8

1966 to 1973. . . . . 4.6 2.4 2.0 3.6 6.1 1.3

1973 to 1979. . . . . 6.8 2.7 2.4 3.0 7.7 -1.0

1979 to 1989. . . . . 7.3 1.7 1.7 3.0 10.5 5.2

1989 to 2000. . . . . 5.6 1.3 1.3 3.3 6.8 4.0

2000 to 2007. . . . . 5.2 1.0 .9 2.4 4.6 2.2

2001 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.7 .8 .0 1.1 5.2 3.5

2002 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 .8 -.3 1.8 4.9 3.9

2003 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.0 1.1 1.0 2.5 4.1 2.6

2004 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .6 1.1 3.5 4.3 1.5

2005 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1 1.3 1.7 3.1 4.3 .8

2006 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 1.4 1.8 2.7 4.8 1.1

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 1.1 1.1 1.9 4.7 1.9

2008 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 .8 -.4 -.3 3.6 .6

2009 . . . . . . . . . . . 9.3 -.1 -3.7 -3.5 2.9 4.4

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . 9.6 -.2 -.6 3.0 2.8 .9

2011h . . . . . . . . . . 9.0 -.2 .5 1.7 2.4 -.9

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.9 1.2 1.3 2.6 2.4 .4

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.7 .7 .8 2.9 3.4 .5

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2 .8 1.3 3.5 4.4 1.4

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4 .9 1.8 4.0 5.0 2.3

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.6 .9 1.8 3.8 5.1 2.8

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1 .9 1.5 3.3 5.0 2.7

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.7 .8 1.2 3.0 5.2 2.4

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .6 .8 2.4 5.5 2.4

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .6 .6 2.2 5.6 2.7

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .5 .5 2.1 5.7 2.8

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .5 .5 2.1 5.7 2.9

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.0 5.7 2.9

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .6 .6 2.2 5.7 2.9

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .5 .6 2.2 5.7 2.9

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .5 .5 2.2 5.7 2.9

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .5 .5 2.1 5.7 2.9

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.1 5.7 2.9

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.1 5.7 2.9

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.1 5.7 2.9

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.1 5.7 2.9

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.1 5.7 2.9

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.0 5.7 2.9

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.0 5.7 2.9

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 .4 .4 2.0 5.7 2.9

Low-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.5 1.3 1.7 3.6 2.6 0.5

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9 .9 1.5 4.5 3.6 1.3

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . 7.0 1.0 2.0 4.8 4.4 2.3

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.0 1.1 2.2 4.8 4.8 3.0

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1 1.1 2.0 4.3 4.8 3.3
Assumptions and Methods

106

Low-cost: (Cont.)

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 1.0 1.5 3.3 4.7 3.3

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .9 1.0 3.0 4.8 3.0

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .7 .7 2.8 5.1 3.1

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .7 .7 2.7 5.1 3.3

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 .6 .6 2.7 5.2 3.3

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .6 .6 2.7 5.2 3.4

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .5 .5 2.5 5.2 3.4

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .7 .7 2.7 5.2 3.4

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .7 .7 2.8 5.2 3.4

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.8 5.2 3.4

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .7 .7 2.8 5.2 3.4

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.8 5.2 3.4

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.8 5.2 3.4

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.8 5.2 3.4

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.9 5.2 3.4

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.9 5.2 3.4

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.9 5.2 3.4

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.9 5.2 3.4

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 .8 .8 2.8 5.2 3.4

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . 9.4 1.0 .6 .8 1.9 .2

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . 9.9 .3 -.3 1.2 3.4 -.6

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . 9.7 .4 .6 2.0 4.7 .6

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . 9.4 .5 .8 2.6 5.4 1.6

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.8 .5 1.2 3.1 6.0 2.1

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1 .6 1.3 3.0 6.4 2.5

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . 7.6 .6 1.3 2.9 6.6 2.6

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . 7.0 .6 1.2 2.8 6.6 2.8

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.7 .6 .9 2.3 6.4 2.8

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .5 .6 1.8 6.2 2.6

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .4 .4 1.6 6.2 2.4

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .3 .3 1.5 6.2 2.4

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .5 .5 1.7 6.2 2.4

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .4 .4 1.6 6.2 2.4

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .3 .3 1.5 6.2 2.4

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .2 .2 1.4 6.2 2.4

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .1 .1 1.3 6.2 2.4

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .1 .1 1.3 6.2 2.4

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .1 .1 1.3 6.2 2.4

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .0 .0 1.2 6.2 2.4

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 .0 .0 1.2 6.2 2.4

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 -.1 -.1 1.2 6.2 2.4

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 -.1 -.1 1.1 6.2 2.4

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 -.1 -.1 1.1 6.2 2.4

a The Office of the Chief Actuary adjusts the civilian unemployment rates for 2022 and later to the age-sex

distribution of the civilian labor force in 2010.

b For rows with a single year listed, the value is the annual percentage change from the prior year. For rows

with a range of years listed, the value is the compounded average annual percentage change.

c The U.S. civilian labor force.

d Total U.S. military and civilian employment.

e The value of the total output of goods and services in 2005 dollars.

f The average of the nominal interest rates, which compound semiannually, for special public-debt obligations issuable to the trust funds in each of the 12 months of the year.

g The realized or expected annual real yield for each year on securities issuable in the prior year.

h Historical data are not available for the full year. Estimated values vary slightly by alternative and are

shown for the intermediate assumptions.

Table V.B2.—Additional Economic Factors (Cont.)

Calendar year 

Average annual

unemployment ratea

Annual percentage changeb in— Average annual interest rate

Labor

forcec Totalemploymentd RealGDPe Nominalf Realg
107

Program Assumptions and Methods

C. PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS

The Office of the Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration uses a

set of models to project future income and cost under the OASDI program.

These models rely not only on the demographic and economic assumptions

described in the previous sections, but also on a number of program-specific

assumptions and methods. Values of certain program parameters change

from year to year as prescribed by formulas set out in the Social Security

Act. These program parameters affect the level of payroll taxes collected and

the level of benefits paid. The office uses more complex models to project

the numbers of future workers covered under OASDI and the levels of their

covered earnings, as well as the numbers of future beneficiaries and the

expected levels of their benefits. The following subsections provide descriptions of these program-specific assumptions and methods.

1. Automatically Adjusted Program Parameters

The Social Security Act requires that certain parameters affecting the determination of OASDI benefits and taxes be adjusted annually to reflect

changes in particular economic measures. Formulas prescribed in the law,

applied to reported statistics, change these program parameters annually. The

law bases these automatic adjustments on measured changes in the national

average wage index (AWI) and the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage

Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI).1 This section shows values for program

parameters adjusted using these indices from the time that these adjustments

became effective through 2021. Projected values for future years depend on

the economic assumptions described in the preceding section of this report.

Tables V.C1 and V.C2 present the historical and projected values of the CPIbased benefit increases, the AWI series, and the values of many of the wageindexed program parameters. Each table shows projections under the three

alternative sets of economic assumptions. Table V.C1 includes:

 • The annual cost-of-living benefit increase percentages. The automatic

cost-of-living adjustment provisions in the Social Security Act specify

increases in OASDI benefits based on increases in the CPI. In December 2009 and December 2010, there were no cost-of-living adjustments,

and in December 2011 there was a cost-of-living adjustment of 3.6 percent. Under all three sets of economic assumptions, the Trustees project

 1 The Federal Register publishes details of these indexation procedures annually. Also see

www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/index.html.
Assumptions and Methods

108

that there will be an annual cost-of-living adjustment in December 2012

and in future years.

 • The annual levels of and percentage increases in the AWI. Under section 215(b)(3) of the Social Security Act, Social Security benefit computations index taxable earnings (for most workers first becoming

eligible for benefits in 1979 or later) using the AWI for each year after

1950. This procedure converts a worker’s past earnings to approximately average-wage-indexed equivalent values near the time of his or

her benefit eligibility. Other program parameters presented in this section that are subject to the automatic-adjustment provisions also rely on

the AWI.

 • The wage-indexed contribution and benefit base. For any year, the contribution and benefit base is the maximum amount of earnings subject to

the OASDI payroll tax and creditable toward benefit computation. The

Social Security Act defers any increase in the contribution and benefit

base if there is no cost-of-living adjustment effective for December of

the preceding year. There was no increase in the contribution and benefit base in 2010 and 2011. Increases resumed in 2012.

 • The wage-indexed retirement earnings test exempt amounts. The

exempt amounts are the annual amount of earnings below which beneficiaries do not have benefits withheld. A lower exempt amount applies in

years before normal retirement age. A higher amount applies for the

year in which a beneficiary attains normal retirement age. The retirement earnings test does not apply beginning at normal retirement age.

The Social Security Act defers any increase in these exempt amounts if

there is no cost-of-living adjustment effective for December of the preceding year. There was no increase in these exempt amounts in 2010

and 2011. Increases resumed in 2012.
109

Program Assumptions and Methods

Table V.C1.—Cost-of-Living Benefit Increases, Average Wage Index, Contribution and 

Benefit Bases, and Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts, 1975-2021

Calendar year

Cost-of-living

benefit

increasea

(percent)

Average

wage index (AWI) b Contribution

and benefit

base c

Retirement earnings

test exempt amount

Amount

Increase

(percent)

Under

NRAd At NRAe

Historical data:

1975 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.0 $8,630.92 7.5 $14,100 $2,520 $2,520

1976 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.4 9,226.48 6.9 15,300 2,760 2,760

1977 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.9 9,779.44 6.0 16,500 3,000 3,000

1978 . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 10,556.03 7.9 17,700 3,240 4,000

1979 . . . . . . . . . . . 9.9 11,479.46 8.7 22,900 3,480 4,500

1980 . . . . . . . . . . . 14.3 12,513.46 9.0 25,900 3,720 5,000

1981 . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 13,773.10 10.1 29,700 4,080 5,500

1982 . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4 14,531.34 5.5 32,400 4,440 6,000

1983 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 15,239.24 4.9 35,700 4,920 6,600

1984 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 16,135.07 5.9 37,800 5,160 6,960

1985 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1 16,822.51 4.3 39,600 5,400 7,320

1986 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 17,321.82 3.0 42,000 5,760 7,800

1987 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 18,426.51 6.4 43,800 6,000 8,160

1988 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0 19,334.04 4.9 45,000 6,120 8,400

1989 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.7 20,099.55 4.0 48,000 6,480 8,880

1990 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.4 21,027.98 4.6 51,300 6,840 9,360

1991 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7 21,811.60 3.7 53,400 7,080 9,720

1992 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0 22,935.42 5.2 55,500 7,440 10,200

1993 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 23,132.67 .9 57,600 7,680 10,560

1994 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 23,753.53 2.7 60,600 8,040 11,160

1995 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 24,705.66 4.0 61,200 8,160 11,280

1996 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9 25,913.90 4.9 62,700 8,280 12,500

1997 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 27,426.00 5.8 65,400 8,640 13,500

1998 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 28,861.44 5.2 68,400 9,120 14,500

1999 . . . . . . . . . . . f2.5 30,469.84 5.6 72,600 9,600 15,500

2000 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 32,154.82 5.5 76,200 10,080 17,000

2001 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 32,921.92 2.4 80,400 10,680 25,000

2002 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 33,252.09 1.0 84,900 11,280 30,000

2003 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 34,064.95 2.4 87,000 11,520 30,720

2004 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.7 35,648.55 4.6 87,900 11,640 31,080

2005 . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1 36,952.94 3.7 90,000 12,000 31,800

2006 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 38,651.41 4.6 94,200 12,480 33,240

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 40,405.48 4.5 97,500 12,960 34,440

2008 . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 41,334.97 2.3 102,000 13,560 36,120

2009 . . . . . . . . . . . .0 40,711.61 -1.5 106,800 14,160 37,680

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . .0 41,673.83 2.4 106,800 14,160 37,680

Intermediate:

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . g3.6 43,008.96 3.2 g106,800 g 14,160 g37,680

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 44,644.06 3.8 g110,100 g14,640 g38,880

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 46,496.20 4.1 113,700 15,120 40,080

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 48,595.38 4.5 117,900 15,600 41,640

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 50,892.59 4.7 123,000 16,320 43,440

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 53,317.30 4.8 128,400 17,040 45,360

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5 55,988.97 5.0 134,400 17,880 47,520

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 58,698.31 4.8 141,000 18,720 49,800

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 61,178.72 4.2 147,900 19,680 52,200

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 63,675.71 4.1 155,100 20,520 54,720

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 66,160.67 3.9 161,700 21,480 57,120
Assumptions and Methods

110

Table V.C2 shows values for other wage-indexed parameters. The table provides historical values from 1978, when indexing of the amount of earnings

required for a quarter of coverage first began, through 2011, and also shows

projected values through 2021. These other wage-indexed program parameters are:

 • The bend points in the formula for computing the primary insurance

amount (PIA) for workers who reach age 62, become disabled, or die in

a given year. As figure V.C1 illustrates, these two bend points define

three ranges in a worker’s average indexed monthly earnings (AIME).

The formula for the worker’s PIA multiplies a 90, 32, or 15 percent facLow-cost:

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . g3.6 $43,024.67 3.2 g$106,800 g$14,160 g$37,680

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 44,975.10 4.5 g110,100 g14,640 g38,880

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 47,148.54 4.8 113,700 15,120 40,200

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 49,327.53 4.6 118,800 15,720 42,000

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 51,541.31 4.5 124,500 16,560 44,040

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 53,798.61 4.4 130,200 17,280 46,080

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 56,046.67 4.2 136,200 18,120 48,120

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.7 58,378.15 4.2 142,200 18,840 50,160

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 60,561.85 3.7 148,200 19,680 52,320

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 62,770.53 3.6 154,200 20,520 54,480

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 64,960.49 3.5 159,900 21,240 56,520

High-cost:

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . g3.6 43,004.50 3.2 g106,800 g14,160 g37,680

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 44,061.05 2.5 g110,100 g14,640 g38,880

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 45,755.82 3.8 113,700 15,120 40,080

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 47,696.44 4.2 116,400 15,480 41,160

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1 50,024.82 4.9 120,900 16,080 42,720

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 52,825.03 5.6 126,000 16,680 44,520

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6 55,928.50 5.9 132,300 17,520 46,680

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 59,176.22 5.8 139,500 18,480 49,320

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 62,301.42 5.3 147,900 19,560 52,200

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 65,304.65 4.8 156,300 20,760 55,200

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 68,163.48 4.4 164,700 21,840 58,080

a Effective with benefits payable for June in each year 1975-82, and for December in each year after 1982.

b See table VI.F6 for projected dollar amounts of the AWI beyond 2021.

c Public Law 95-216 specified amounts for 1979-81. Public Law 101-239 changed the indexing procedure

and caused slightly higher bases after 1989.

d Normal retirement age. See table V.C3 for specific values.

e In 1955-82, the retirement earnings test did not apply at ages 72 and over. In 1983-99, the test did not apply

at ages 70 and over. Beginning in 2000, the test does not apply beginning with the month of normal retirement

age attainment. In the year of normal retirement age attainment, the higher exempt amount applies to earnings

prior to the month of normal retirement age attainment. Public Law 95-216 specified amounts for 1978-82.

Public Law 104-121 specified amounts for 1996-2002.

f Originally determined as 2.4 percent. Pursuant to Public Law 106-554, effectively 2.5 percent.

g Actual amount, as determined under automatic-adjustment provisions.

Table V.C1.—Cost-of-Living Benefit Increases, Average Wage Index, Contribution and 

Benefit Bases, and Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts, 1975-2021 (Cont.)

Calendar year

Cost-of-living

benefit

increasea

(percent)

Average

wage index (AWI) b Contribution

and benefit

base c

Retirement earnings

test exempt amount

Amount

Increase

(percent)

Under

NRAd At NRAe
111

Program Assumptions and Methods

tor by the portion of the worker’s AIME that falls within the three

respective ranges, and then adds the resulting products together.

 • The bend points in the formula for computing the maximum total

amount of monthly benefits payable based on the earnings record of a

retired or deceased worker. As figure V.C2 illustrates, these three bend

points define four ranges in a worker’s PIA. The formula for the maximum family benefit multiplies a 150, 272, 134, or 175 percent factor by

the portion of the worker’s PIA that falls within the four respective

ranges, and then adds the resulting products together.

 Figure V.C1.—Primary-Insurance-Amount Formula for Those Newly Eligible in 2012

90% 

32% 

15% 

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$0 $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000

Primary Insurance Amount 

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings

First

bend point

($767)

Second

bend point

($4,624)
Assumptions and Methods

112

 • The amount of earnings required in a year to earn a quarter of coverage

(QC). The number and timing of QCs earned determines an individual’s

insured status—the basic requirement for benefit eligibility under

OASDI.

 • The old-law contribution and benefit base—the contribution and benefit

base that would have been in effect under the law prior to enactment of

the 1977 amendments. This old-law base is used in determining specialminimum benefits for certain workers who have many years of low

earnings in covered employment. Since 1986, the calculation of OASDI

benefits for certain workers who are eligible to receive pensions based

on noncovered employment uses the old-law base. In addition, the Railroad Retirement program and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 use the old-law base for certain purposes.

 Figure V.C2.—Maximum-Family-Benefit Formula for Those Newly Eligible in 2012

150% 

272% 

134% 

175% 

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

$3,500

$4,000

$4,500

$0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500

Maximum family benefit 

Primary Insurance Amount

Third

bend point

($1,845)

Second

bend point

($1,415)

First

bend point

($980)
113

Program Assumptions and Methods

Table V.C2.—Values for Selected Wage-Indexed Program Parameters, 

Calendar Years 1978-2021

Calendar year

AIME bend

points in PIA

formulaa

PIA bend points

in maximumfamily-benefit formulab

Earnings

required for

a quarter of

coverage

Old-law

contribution

and benefit

base c First Second First Second Third

Historical data:

1978 . . . . . . . . . d d d d de $250 e $17,700

1979 . . . . . . . . . e $180 e $1,085 e $230 e $332 e $433 260 18,900

1980 . . . . . . . . . 194 1,171 248 358 467 290 20,400

1981 . . . . . . . . . 211 1,274 270 390 508 310 22,200

1982 . . . . . . . . . 230 1,388 294 425 554 340 24,300

1983 . . . . . . . . . 254 1,528 324 468 610 370 26,700

1984 . . . . . . . . . 267 1,612 342 493 643 390 28,200

1985 . . . . . . . . . 280 1,691 358 517 675 410 29,700

1986 . . . . . . . . . 297 1,790 379 548 714 440 31,500

1987 . . . . . . . . . 310 1,866 396 571 745 460 32,700

1988 . . . . . . . . . 319 1,922 407 588 767 470 33,600

1989 . . . . . . . . . 339 2,044 433 626 816 500 35,700

1990 . . . . . . . . . 356 2,145 455 656 856 520 38,100

1991 . . . . . . . . . 370 2,230 473 682 890 540 39,600

1992 . . . . . . . . . 387 2,333 495 714 931 570 41,400

1993 . . . . . . . . . 401 2,420 513 740 966 590 42,900

1994 . . . . . . . . . 422 2,545 539 779 1,016 620 45,000

1995 . . . . . . . . . 426 2,567 544 785 1,024 630 45,300

1996 . . . . . . . . . 437 2,635 559 806 1,052 640 46,500

1997 . . . . . . . . . 455 2,741 581 839 1,094 670 48,600

1998 . . . . . . . . . 477 2,875 609 880 1,147 700 50,700

1999 . . . . . . . . . 505 3,043 645 931 1,214 740 53,700

2000 . . . . . . . . . 531 3,202 679 980 1,278 780 56,700

2001 . . . . . . . . . 561 3,381 717 1,034 1,349 830 59,700

2002 . . . . . . . . . 592 3,567 756 1,092 1,424 870 63,000

2003 . . . . . . . . . 606 3,653 774 1,118 1,458 890 64,500

2004 . . . . . . . . . 612 3,689 782 1,129 1,472 900 65,100

2005 . . . . . . . . . 627 3,779 801 1,156 1,508 920 66,900

2006 . . . . . . . . . 656 3,955 838 1,210 1,578 970 69,900

2007 . . . . . . . . . 680 4,100 869 1,255 1,636 1,000 72,600

2008 . . . . . . . . . 711 4,288 909 1,312 1,711 1,050 75,900

2009 . . . . . . . . . 744 4,483 950 1,372 1,789 1,090 79,200

2010 . . . . . . . . . 761 4,586 972 1,403 1,830 1,120 79,200

2011 . . . . . . . . . 749 4,517 957 1,382 1,803 1,120 79,200

2012 . . . . . . . . . 767 4,624 980 1,415 1,845 1,130 81,900

Intermediate:

2013 . . . . . . . . . 792 4,772 1,012 1,460 1,904 1,170 84,300

2014 . . . . . . . . . 822 4,953 1,050 1,516 1,977 1,210 87,600

2015 . . . . . . . . . 856 5,159 1,094 1,578 2,059 1,260 91,200

2016 . . . . . . . . . 894 5,392 1,143 1,650 2,152 1,320 95,400

2017 . . . . . . . . . 937 5,646 1,197 1,728 2,253 1,380 99,900

2018 . . . . . . . . . 981 5,915 1,254 1,810 2,361 1,440 104,700

2019 . . . . . . . . . 1,031 6,212 1,317 1,901 2,479 1,520 109,800

2020 . . . . . . . . . 1,080 6,512 1,381 1,993 2,599 1,590 115,200

2021 . . . . . . . . . 1,126 6,788 1,439 2,077 2,709 1,660 120,000
Assumptions and Methods

114

In addition to the economic factors that affect the determination of OASDI

benefits, there are certain legislated changes that affect current and future

benefit amounts. Two such changes are the scheduled increases in the normal

retirement age and in the delayed retirement credits. Table V.C3 shows the

scheduled changes in these parameters and the resulting effects on benefit

levels expressed as a percentage of PIA.

Low-cost:

2013 . . . . . . . . . $792 $4,773 $1,012 $1,461 $1,905 $1,170 $84,300

2014 . . . . . . . . . 828 4,990 1,058 1,527 1,991 1,220 88,200

2015 . . . . . . . . . 868 5,231 1,109 1,601 2,088 1,280 92,400

2016 . . . . . . . . . 908 5,473 1,160 1,675 2,184 1,340 96,900

2017 . . . . . . . . . 949 5,718 1,212 1,750 2,282 1,400 101,100

2018 . . . . . . . . . 990 5,969 1,265 1,826 2,382 1,460 105,600

2019 . . . . . . . . . 1,032 6,218 1,318 1,903 2,482 1,520 110,100

2020 . . . . . . . . . 1,075 6,477 1,373 1,982 2,585 1,580 114,600

2021 . . . . . . . . . 1,115 6,719 1,424 2,056 2,681 1,640 118,800

High-cost:

2013 . . . . . . . . . 792 4,771 1,011 1,460 1,904 1,170 84,300

2014 . . . . . . . . . 811 4,888 1,036 1,496 1,951 1,190 86,400

2015 . . . . . . . . . 842 5,076 1,076 1,553 2,026 1,240 89,700

2016 . . . . . . . . . 878 5,292 1,122 1,619 2,112 1,290 93,600

2017 . . . . . . . . . 921 5,550 1,177 1,698 2,215 1,360 98,100

2018 . . . . . . . . . 972 5,861 1,242 1,793 2,339 1,430 103,500

2019 . . . . . . . . . 1,029 6,205 1,315 1,899 2,476 1,520 109,800

2020 . . . . . . . . . 1,089 6,565 1,392 2,009 2,620 1,600 116,100

2021 . . . . . . . . . 1,147 6,912 1,465 2,115 2,758 1,690 122,100

a The formula to compute a PIA is: (1) 90% of AIME below the first bend point; plus (2) 32% of AIME in

excess of the first bend point but not in excess of the second; plus (3) 15% of AIME in excess of the second

bend point. The bend points are determined based on the first year a beneficiary becomes eligible for benefits.

b The formula to compute a family maximum is: (1) 150% of PIA below the first bend point; plus (2) 272%

of PIA in excess of the first bend point but not in excess of the second; plus (3) 134% of PIA in excess of the

second bend point but not in excess of the third; plus (4) 175% of PIA in excess of the third bend point.

c Contribution and benefit base that would have been in effect under the law prior to enactment of the Social

Security Amendments of 1977. Public Law 101-239 changed the indexing procedure and caused slightly

higher bases after 1989.

d No provision in law for this amount in this year.

e Amount specified by Social Security Amendments of 1977.

Table V.C2.—Values for Selected Wage-Indexed Program Parameters, 

Calendar Years 1978-2021 (Cont.)

Calendar year

AIME bend

points in PIA

formulaa

PIA bend points

in maximumfamily-benefit formulab

Earnings

required for

a quarter of

coverage

Old-law

contribution

and benefit

base c First Second First Second Third
115

Program Assumptions and Methods

2. Covered Employment

Projections of the total labor force and unemployment rate (see table V.B2)

use Bureau of Labor Statistics definitions from the Current Population Survey (CPS). These projections represent the average weekly number of

employed and unemployed persons, aged 16 and over, in the U.S. in a calendar year. The Office of the Chief Actuary defines the total covered workers

in a year as the persons who have any OASDI covered earnings (that is, earnings subject to the OASDI payroll tax) at any time during the year. Projected

covered employment is the sum of age-sex components, each of which the

office projects as a ratio to the CPS definition of employment.1 The projection methodology accounts for changes in the economic cycle, changes in

non-OASDI covered employment, the increase in coverage of Federal civilian employment as a result of the 1983 Social Security Amendments, and

Table V.C3.—Legislated Changes in Normal Retirement Age and Delayed Retirement

Credits for Persons Reaching Age 62 in Each Year 1986 and Later

Year of birth

Year of

attainment of

age 62

Normal

retirement

age (NRA)

Credit for each 

year of delayed 

retirement after

NRA (percent)

Benefit, as a percentage of PIA, 

beginning at age —

62 65 66 67 70

1924 . . . . . . . . 1986. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 3 80 100 103 106 115

1925 . . . . . . . . 1987. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 3 1/2 80 100 103 1/2 107 117 1/2

1926 . . . . . . . . 1988. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 3 1/2 80 100 103 1/2 107 117 1/2

1927 . . . . . . . . 1989. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 4 80 100 104 108 120

1928 . . . . . . . . 1990. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 4 80 100 104 108 120

1929 . . . . . . . . 1991. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 4 1/2 80 100 104 1/2 109 122 1/2

1930 . . . . . . . . 1992. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 4 1/2 80 100 104 1/2 109 122 1/2

1931 . . . . . . . . 1993. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 5 80 100 105 110 125

1932 . . . . . . . . 1994. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 5 80 100 105 110 125

1933 . . . . . . . . 1995. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 5 1/2 80 100 105 1/2 111 127 1/2

1934 . . . . . . . . 1996. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 5 1/2 80 100 105 1/2 111 127 1/2

1935 . . . . . . . . 1997. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 6 80 100 106 112 130

1936 . . . . . . . . 1998. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 6 80 100 106 112 130

1937 . . . . . . . . 1999. . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . 6 1/2 80 100 106 1/2 113 132 1/2

1938 . . . . . . . . 2000. . . . . . . . 65, 2 mo . . . 6 1/2 79 1/6 98 8/9 105 5/12 111 11/12 131 5/12

1939 . . . . . . . . 2001. . . . . . . . 65, 4 mo . . . 7 78 1/3 97 7/9 104 2/3 111 2/3 132 2/3

1940 . . . . . . . . 2002. . . . . . . . 65, 6 mo . . . 7 77 1/2 96 2/3 103 1/2 110 1/2 131 1/2

1941 . . . . . . . . 2003. . . . . . . . 65, 8 mo . . . 7 1/2 76 2/3 95 5/9 102 1/2 110 132 1/2

1942 . . . . . . . . 2004. . . . . . . . 65, 10 mo . . 7 1/2 75 5/6 94 4/9 101 1/4 108 3/4 131 1/4

1943-54 . . . . . 2005-16 . . . . . 66 . . . . . . . . 8 75 93 1/3 100 108 132

1955 . . . . . . . . 2017. . . . . . . . 66, 2 mo . . . 8 74 1/6 92 2/9 98 8/9 106 2/3 130 2/3

1956 . . . . . . . . 2018. . . . . . . . 66, 4 mo . . . 8 73 1/3 91 1/9 97 7/9 105 1/3 129 1/3

1957 . . . . . . . . 2019. . . . . . . . 66, 6 mo . . . 8 72 1/2 90 96 2/3 104 128

1958 . . . . . . . . 2020. . . . . . . . 66, 8 mo . . . 8 71 2/3 88 8/9 95 5/9 102 2/3 126 2/3

1959 . . . . . . . . 2021. . . . . . . . 66, 10 mo . . 8 70 5/6 87 7/9 94 4/9 101 1/3 125 1/3

1960 & later . . 2022 & later . 67 . . . . . . . . 8 70 86 2/3 93 1/3 100 124

 1 For those under age 16, projected covered employment is the sum of age-sex components, each of which

the office projects as a ratio to the Social Security area population.
Assumptions and Methods

116

changes in the number and employment status of other immigrants estimated

to be residing within the Social Security coverage area.

The covered-worker rate is the ratio of OASDI covered workers to the Social

Security area population. The projected age-adjusted coverage rate1 for

males age 16 and over is 70.8, 69.8, and 68.8 percent for 2086 for the lowcost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions, respectively. These rates are

higher than the 2010 level of about 66.4 percent. For females, the projected

age-adjusted coverage rate increases from 59.9 percent for 2010 to 63.6,

62.6, and 61.6 percent for 2086 for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost

assumptions, respectively.

3. Insured Population

Eligibility for worker benefits under the OASDI program requires some minimal level of work in covered employment. A worker satisfies this requirement by his or her accumulation of quarters of coverage (QCs). Prior to

1978, a worker earned one QC for each calendar quarter in which he or she

earned at least $50. In 1978, when annual earnings reporting replaced quarterly reporting, the amount required to earn a QC (up to a maximum of four

per year) was set at $250. As specified in the law, the Social Security Administration has adjusted this amount each year since then according to changes

in the AWI. Its value in 2012 is $1,130.

There are three types of insured status that a worker can acquire under the

OASDI program. The number and recency of QCs earned determine each

status. A worker acquires fully insured status when his or her total number of

QCs is greater than or equal to the number of years elapsed after the year of

attainment of age 21 (but not less than six). Once a worker has accumulated

40 QCs, he or she remains permanently fully insured. A worker acquires disability insured status if he or she is: (1) a fully insured worker who has accumulated 20 QCs during the 40-quarter period ending with the current quarter;

(2) a fully insured worker aged 24-30 who has accumulated QCs during onehalf of the quarters elapsed after the quarter of attainment of age 21 and up to

and including the current quarter; or (3) a fully insured worker under age 24

who has accumulated six QCs during the 12-quarter period ending with the

current quarter. A worker acquires currently insured status when he or she

has accumulated six QCs during the 13-quarter period ending with the current quarter. Periods of disability reduce the number of quarters required for

insured status, but not below the minimum of six QCs.

 1 Age-adjusted covered worker rates are adjusted to the 2010 age distribution of the Social Security area

population.
117

Program Assumptions and Methods

There are many types of benefits payable to workers and their family members under the OASDI program. A worker must be fully insured to be eligible for a primary retirement benefit and for his or her spouse or children to

be eligible for auxiliary benefits. A deceased worker must have been either

currently insured or fully insured at the time of death for his or her children

(and their mother or father) to be eligible for benefits. If there are no eligible

surviving children, the deceased worker must have been fully insured at the

time of death for his or her surviving spouse to be eligible. A worker must be

disability insured to be eligible for a primary disability benefit and for his or

her spouse or children to be eligible for auxiliary benefits.

The Office of the Chief Actuary estimates the fully insured population, as a

percentage of the Social Security area population, by single year of age and

sex starting in 1969. The short-range model extrapolates the historical trend

in these rates from data in the Continuous Work History Sample. The model

uses information on quarters of coverage earned due to employment covered

by Social Security derived from tabulations of the Continuous Work History

Sample. The model also uses historical administrative data on beneficiaries

in force and estimated historical mortality rates. The model combines this

information to estimate the proportion of individuals who were alive and

fully insured as of the end of each historical year. Using projected mortality

rates and covered workers, the model extrapolates these rates into the future

and applies them to the historical and projected population to arrive at the

fully insured population by age and sex through the end of the short-range

period.

The long-range model uses 30,000 simulated work histories for each sex and

birth cohort. The model constructs simulated work histories from past coverage rates, median earnings, and amounts required for crediting QCs, and

develops them in a manner that replicates historical individual variations in

tendency to work. Specifically, persons who have recently been out of covered employment are less likely to be in covered employment. This model

produces simulated fully insured percentages close to the fully insured percentages estimated by the short-range model from 1970 to the end of the

short-range period.

The Office of the Chief Actuary estimates the disability insured population,

as a percentage of the fully insured population, by age and sex starting in

1970. The office bases historical values on a tabulation of the disability

insured population from the Continuous Work History Sample and estimates

of the fully insured population. The short-range model projects these percentages by using the relationship between the historical percentages and

labor force participation rates. The long-range model projects these percent-
Assumptions and Methods

118

ages by using the same simulated work histories used to project the fully

insured percentages. The long-range model makes additional adjustments to

the model simulations in order to bring the disability insured percentages in

the historical and short-range periods into close agreement with those estimated from the Continuous Work History Sample and the short-range model.

The office does not project the currently insured population because the

number of beneficiaries who are entitled to benefits based solely on currently

insured status has been very small and is likely to remain small in the future.

Using these insured models, the percentage of the Social Security area population aged 62 and over that is fully insured will increase from its estimated

level of 82.5 for December 31, 2009, to 89.7, 89.7, and 89.6 for December

31, 2090, under the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost alternatives,

respectively. Over the projection period, the percentage for females increases

significantly, while the percentage for males declines somewhat. Under the

intermediate assumptions, for example, the percentage for males decreases

slightly from 92.4 to 90.7, and the percentage for females increases from

74.7 to 88.8.

4. Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Beneficiaries

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the number of OASI beneficiaries

for each type of benefit separately by the sex of the worker on whose earnings the benefits are based and by the age of the beneficiary. For the longrange period, the office also projects the number of beneficiaries by marital

status for selected types of benefits. The office uses two separate models in

making these projections. The short-range model makes projections during

the first 10 years of the projection period and the long-range model makes

projections thereafter.

The short-range model develops the number of retired-worker beneficiaries

by applying award rates to the aged fully insured population, excluding those

already receiving retired-worker, disabled-worker, aged-widow(er)’s, or

aged-spouse’s benefits, and by applying termination rates to the number of

retired-worker beneficiaries.

The long-range model projects the number of retired-worker beneficiaries

who were not previously converted from disabled-worker beneficiary status

as a percentage of the exposed population.1 For age 62, the model projects

this percentage by using a linear regression based on the historical relation-

 1 The exposed population is the fully insured population age 62 and over, excluding persons entitled to or

converted from disabled-worker benefits and fully insured persons entitled only to widow(er)’s benefits.
119

Program Assumptions and Methods

ship between this percentage and the labor force participation rate at age 62.

The percentage for ages 70 and over is nearly 100 because delayed retirement credits cannot be earned after age 70. The long-range model projects

the percentage for each age 63 through 69 based on historical experience

with an adjustment for changes in the portion of the primary insurance

amount that is payable at each age of entitlement. The model adjusts these

percentages for ages 62 through 69 to reflect changes in the normal retirement age.

The long-range model calculates the number of retired-worker beneficiaries

previously converted from disabled-worker beneficiary status using an

extension of disabled-worker death rates by age, sex, and duration.

The Office of the Chief Actuary estimates the number of aged-spouse beneficiaries, excluding those who are also receiving a retired-worker benefit, from

the population projected by age and sex. Benefits of aged-spouse beneficiaries depend on the earnings records of their husbands or wives, who are

referred to as “earners.” The short-range model projects insured aged-spouse

beneficiaries in conjunction with the retired-worker beneficiaries. This

model projects uninsured aged-spouse beneficiaries by applying award rates

to the aged uninsured male or female population and by applying termination

rates to the population already receiving such benefits.

The long-range model estimates aged-spouse beneficiaries separately for

those married and divorced. The model projects the number of married agedspouse beneficiaries, by age and sex, by applying a series of factors to the

number of spouses, aged 62 and over, in the population. These factors are the

probabilities that the spouse and the earner meet all of the conditions of

eligibility—that is, the probabilities that: (1) the earner is 62 or over; (2) the

earner is insured; (3) the earner is receiving benefits; (4) the spouse is not

receiving a benefit for the care of an entitled child; (5) the spouse is not

insured; and (6) the spouse is not eligible to receive a significant government

pension based on earnings in noncovered employment. To calculate the estimated number of aged-spouse beneficiaries, the model applies a projected

prevalence rate to the resulting number of spouses.

The long-range model estimates the number of divorced aged-spouse beneficiaries, by age and sex, by applying the same factors to the number of

divorced persons aged 62 and over in the population, with three differences.

First, the model applies a factor to reflect the probability that the earner (former spouse) is still alive. If the former spouse is not alive, the person may be

entitled to a divorced widow(er)’s benefit. Second, the model applies a factor

to reflect the probability that the marriage to the former spouse lasted at least
Assumptions and Methods

120

10 years. Third, the model does not apply factor (3) in the previous paragraph because, effective January 1985, a divorced person is generally no longer required to wait for the former spouse to receive benefits.

The Office of the Chief Actuary bases the projected numbers of children

under age 18, and students aged 18 and 19, who are eligible for benefits as

children of retired-worker beneficiaries, on the projected number of children

in the population. The short-range model develops the number of entitled

children by applying award rates to the number of children in the population

who have two living parents and by applying termination rates to the number

of children already receiving benefits.

The long-range model projects separately the number of entitled children by

sex of the earner parent. For each age under 18, the model projects the number of entitled children from the latest data by incorporating changes in the

number of children in the population and the ratio of retired workers aged 62

through 71 to the population aged 20 through 71. For student beneficiaries,

the model multiplies the number of children aged 18 and 19 in the population

by the probabilities that: (1) the parent is alive, aged 62 or over, insured, and

receiving a retired-worker benefit; and (2) the child is attending high school.

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the number of disabled children,

aged 18 and over, of retired-worker beneficiaries from the adult population.

The short-range model applies award rates to the population and applies termination rates to the number of disabled children already receiving benefits.

The long-range model projects the number of disabled children in a manner

similar to that used for student children except for a factor that reflects the

probability of being disabled before age 22.

The short-range model develops the number of spouses of retired workers,

who are entitled to spouse benefits because they are caring for a child who is

under age 16 or disabled, by applying award rates to the number of awards to

children of retired workers and by applying termination rates to the number

of young spouses with a child in their care who are already receiving benefits. The long-range model projects the number of young-spouse beneficiaries with a child in their care as a proportion of the number of child

beneficiaries of retired workers, including projected changes in average family size.

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the number of aged-widow(er) beneficiaries, excluding those who are also receiving a retired-worker benefit,

from the population by age and sex. The short-range model projects fully

insured aged-widow(er) beneficiaries in conjunction with the retired-worker

beneficiaries. The model projects the number of uninsured aged-widow(er)
121

Program Assumptions and Methods

beneficiaries by applying award rates to the aged uninsured male or female

population and by applying termination rates to the population already

receiving such benefits. The long-range model projects uninsured agedwidow(er) beneficiaries by marital status. The model multiplies the number

of widow(er)s in the population aged 60 and over by the probabilities that:

(1) the deceased earner is fully insured at death; (2) the widow(er) is not

receiving a benefit for the care of an entitled child; (3) the widow(er) is not

fully insured; and (4) the widow(er)’s benefits are not withheld because of

receipt of a significant government pension based on earnings in noncovered

employment. In addition, the model applies the same factors to the number

of divorced persons aged 60 and over in the population and includes additional factors representing the probability that the person’s former earner

spouse has died and that the marriage lasted at least 10 years. The model projects the number of insured aged-widow(er) beneficiaries who are ages 60

through 70 in a manner similar to that for uninsured aged-widow(er) beneficiaries. In addition, the model assumes that some insured widow(er)s who

had not applied for their retired-worker benefits will receive widow(er)’s

benefits. The model projects insured aged-widow(er) beneficiaries over age

70 by applying termination rates to the population that started receiving such

benefits prior to age 70.

The short-range model develops the number of disabled-widow(er) beneficiaries by applying award rates to the uninsured male or female population

and by applying termination rates to the population already receiving a disabled-widow(er) benefit. The long-range model projects the number for each

cohort by age from 50 to normal retirement age as percentages of the widowed and divorced populations, adjusted for the insured status of the

deceased spouse, the prevalence of disability, and the probability that the disabled spouse is not receiving another type of benefit.

The Office of the Chief Actuary bases the projected number of children

under age 18, and students aged 18 and 19, who are entitled to benefits as

survivors of deceased workers, on the number of children in the population

whose mothers or fathers are deceased. The short-range model develops the

number of entitled children by applying award rates to the number of

orphaned children and by applying termination rates to the number of children already receiving benefits.

The long-range model projects the number of child-survivor beneficiaries in

a manner similar to that for student beneficiaries of retired workers, except

that the model replaces the probability that the parent is aged 62 or over with

the probability that the parent is deceased.
Assumptions and Methods

122

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the number of disabled-child-survivor beneficiaries, aged 18 and over, from the adult population. The shortrange model applies award rates to the population and applies termination

rates to the number of disabled-child-survivor beneficiaries already receiving

benefits. The long-range model projects the number of disabled-child-survivor beneficiaries in a manner similar to that for student-child-survivor beneficiaries, except for including an additional factor to reflect the probability of

being disabled before age 22.

The short-range model develops the numbers of entitled mother-survivor and

father-survivor beneficiaries by applying award rates to the number of

awards to child-survivor beneficiaries, in cases where the children are either

under age 16 or disabled, and by applying termination rates to the number of

mother-survivors and father-survivors already receiving benefits. The longrange model estimates the numbers of mother-survivor and father-survivor

beneficiaries, assuming they are not remarried, from the number of child-survivor beneficiaries.

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the number of parent-survivor beneficiaries based on the historical pattern of the number of such beneficiaries.

Table V.C4 shows the projected number of beneficiaries under the OASI program by type of benefit. The retired worker beneficiary counts include those

persons who receive a residual auxiliary benefit in addition to their retiredworker benefit. The office makes estimates of the number and amount of

residual payments separately for spouses and widow(er)s.
123

Program Assumptions and Methods

Table V.C4.—OASI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status

at the End of Calendar Years 1945-2090

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Retired workers and auxiliaries Survivors

Worker Total a Spouse Child

WidowwidowerMotherfather Child Parent

Historical data:

1945 . . . . . . . . . . 518 159 13 94 121 377 6 1,288

1950 . . . . . . . . . . 1,771 508 46 314 169 653 15 3,477

1955 . . . . . . . . . . 4,474 1,192 122 701 292 1,154 25 7,961

1960 . . . . . . . . . . 8,061 2,269 268 1,544 401 1,577 36 14,157

1965 . . . . . . . . . . 11,101 2,614 461 2,371 472 2,074 35 19,128

1970 . . . . . . . . . . 13,349 2,668 546 3,227 523 2,688 29 23,030

1975 . . . . . . . . . . 16,589 2,867 643 3,888 582 2,919 21 27,509

1980 . . . . . . . . . . 19,564 3,018 639 4,415 563 2,610 15 30,823

1985 . . . . . . . . . . 22,435 3,069 456 4,862 372 1,918 10 33,122

1990 . . . . . . . . . . 24,841 3,104 421 5,098 304 1,777 6 35,551

1995 . . . . . . . . . . 26,679 3,027 441 5,213 275 1,884 4 37,522

1996 . . . . . . . . . . 26,905 2,971 442 5,199 242 1,898 4 37,661

1997 . . . . . . . . . . 27,282 2,926 441 5,043 230 1,893 3 37,817

1998 . . . . . . . . . . 27,518 2,866 439 4,981 221 1,884 3 37,911

1999 . . . . . . . . . . 27,784 2,811 442 4,936 212 1,885 3 38,073

2000 . . . . . . . . . . 28,505 2,798 459 4,901 203 1,878 3 38,747

2001 . . . . . . . . . . 28,843 2,742 467 4,828 197 1,890 3 38,969

2002 . . . . . . . . . . 29,195 2,681 477 4,771 194 1,908 2 39,227

2003 . . . . . . . . . . 29,537 2,622 480 4,707 190 1,910 2 39,448

2004 . . . . . . . . . . 29,952 2,569 482 4,643 184 1,901 2 39,733

2005 . . . . . . . . . . 30,461 2,524 488 4,569 178 1,903 2 40,126

2006 . . . . . . . . . . 30,976 2,476 490 4,494 171 1,899 2 40,508

2007 . . . . . . . . . . 31,528 2,431 494 4,436 165 1,892 2 40,947

2008 . . . . . . . . . . 32,274 2,370 525 4,380 160 1,915 2 41,625

2009 . . . . . . . . . . 33,514 2,343 561 4,327 160 1,921 2 42,828

2010 . . . . . . . . . . 34,593 2,316 580 4,285 159 1,913 2 43,847

2011 . . . . . . . . . . 35,600 2,291 594 4,239 158 1,907 2 44,791

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . 36,841 2,264 610 4,215 155 1,911 1 45,998

2015 . . . . . . . . . . 41,252 2,232 661 4,171 152 1,946 1 50,415

2020 . . . . . . . . . . 49,612 2,185 733 4,092 151 2,021 1 58,795

2025 . . . . . . . . . . 57,646 2,256 798 3,920 141 2,046 2 66,809

2030 . . . . . . . . . . 64,779 2,413 842 3,707 132 2,062 2 73,936

2035 . . . . . . . . . . 69,465 2,358 862 3,541 129 2,056 2 78,412

2040 . . . . . . . . . . 72,139 2,213 876 3,361 125 2,033 2 80,750

2045 . . . . . . . . . . 73,935 2,113 889 3,191 122 2,002 2 82,253

2050 . . . . . . . . . . 76,012 2,103 921 3,024 119 1,976 2 84,156

2055 . . . . . . . . . . 78,523 2,198 945 2,889 117 1,955 2 86,629

2060 . . . . . . . . . . 81,114 2,389 964 2,790 114 1,936 2 89,309

2065 . . . . . . . . . . 83,509 2,587 971 2,758 112 1,913 2 91,851

2070 . . . . . . . . . . 86,298 2,745 993 2,783 109 1,889 2 94,818

2075 . . . . . . . . . . 89,174 2,846 1,012 2,840 107 1,862 2 97,842

2080 . . . . . . . . . . 92,125 2,918 1,030 2,906 104 1,836 2 100,919

2085 . . . . . . . . . . 95,534 2,974 1,060 2,949 102 1,814 2 104,434

2090 . . . . . . . . . . 99,103 3,033 1,086 2,969 99 1,798 2 108,090
Assumptions and Methods

124

Notes: 

1. The number of beneficiaries does not include uninsured individuals who receive benefits under Section

228 of the Social Security Act. Transfers from the General Fund of the Treasury reimburse the OASI Trust

Fund for the cost of most of these individuals.

2. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

5. Disability Insurance Beneficiaries

The DI Trust Fund pays benefits to disabled workers who: (1) satisfy the disability insured requirements; (2) are unable to engage in substantial gainful

activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment

severe enough to satisfy the requirements of the program; and (3) have not

yet attained normal retirement age. Spouses and children of such disabled

Low-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . 36,837 2,264 610 4,214 155 1,911 1 45,994

2015 . . . . . . . . . . 41,176 2,233 661 4,165 152 1,950 1 50,339

2020 . . . . . . . . . . 49,273 2,187 736 4,069 154 2,051 1 58,471

2025 . . . . . . . . . . 56,879 2,213 807 3,923 138 2,163 2 66,124

2030 . . . . . . . . . . 63,382 2,349 862 3,736 127 2,260 2 72,718

2035 . . . . . . . . . . 67,370 2,264 895 3,598 121 2,346 2 76,596

2040 . . . . . . . . . . 69,357 2,095 923 3,444 117 2,412 2 78,349

2045 . . . . . . . . . . 70,620 1,970 951 3,288 114 2,465 2 79,410

2050 . . . . . . . . . . 72,340 1,935 1,003 3,132 114 2,519 2 81,045

2055 . . . . . . . . . . 74,636 2,011 1,044 3,003 115 2,569 2 83,381

2060 . . . . . . . . . . 77,036 2,164 1,079 2,905 117 2,623 2 85,926

2065 . . . . . . . . . . 79,180 2,325 1,100 2,867 120 2,681 2 88,275

2070 . . . . . . . . . . 81,611 2,443 1,142 2,883 122 2,742 2 90,945

2075 . . . . . . . . . . 84,122 2,490 1,182 2,921 125 2,799 2 93,641

2080 . . . . . . . . . . 86,983 2,511 1,223 2,972 127 2,854 2 96,672

2085 . . . . . . . . . . 90,818 2,543 1,288 3,015 130 2,914 2 100,708

2090 . . . . . . . . . . 95,429 2,589 1,352 3,052 132 2,981 2 105,537

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . 36,850 2,264 610 4,216 155 1,910 1 46,008

2015 . . . . . . . . . . 41,306 2,231 659 4,175 151 1,938 1 50,462

2020 . . . . . . . . . . 49,943 2,179 725 4,112 147 1,981 1 59,088

2025 . . . . . . . . . . 58,443 2,293 786 3,908 143 1,926 2 67,501

2030 . . . . . . . . . . 66,288 2,469 818 3,663 133 1,863 2 75,236

2035 . . . . . . . . . . 71,779 2,441 825 3,462 127 1,775 2 80,411

2040 . . . . . . . . . . 75,245 2,316 829 3,255 120 1,681 2 83,448

2045 . . . . . . . . . . 77,660 2,236 827 3,069 112 1,590 2 85,496

2050 . . . . . . . . . . 80,151 2,248 840 2,897 105 1,515 2 87,756

2055 . . . . . . . . . . 82,934 2,359 848 2,760 98 1,458 2 90,459

2060 . . . . . . . . . . 85,737 2,576 852 2,662 92 1,405 2 93,325

2065 . . . . . . . . . . 88,306 2,831 841 2,635 85 1,347 2 96,046

2070 . . . . . . . . . . 91,265 3,085 842 2,663 78 1,290 2 99,225

2075 . . . . . . . . . . 94,322 3,289 840 2,735 72 1,235 2 102,495

2080 . . . . . . . . . . 97,166 3,439 835 2,821 67 1,183 2 105,513

2085 . . . . . . . . . . 99,838 3,522 834 2,875 62 1,135 2 108,268

2090 . . . . . . . . . . 102,050 3,563 832 2,901 58 1,093 2 110,499

a Retired-worker beneficiaries include persons who also receive a residual benefit consisting of the excess of

an auxiliary benefit over their retired-worker benefit.

Table V.C4.—OASI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status

at the End of Calendar Years 1945-2090 (Cont.)

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Retired workers and auxiliaries Survivors

Worker Total a Spouse Child

WidowwidowerMotherfather Child Parent
125

Program Assumptions and Methods

workers may also receive DI benefits provided they satisfy certain criteria,

primarily age and earnings requirements.

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the number of disabled-worker beneficiaries in current-payment status (disability prevalence) for each future

year. The projections start with the number in current-payment status as of

December 2011. Projections of the number of new beneficiaries awarded

benefits each year (disability incidence) and the number of beneficiaries

leaving the disability rolls each year then determine the number in currentpayment status in later years. Beneficiaries leave the rolls due to death and

recovery (disability terminations) and due to conversions from disabledworker to retired-worker beneficiary status, after which the OASI Trust Fund

pays benefits. The remainder of this section describes the concepts of disability incidence, termination, and prevalence.

a. Disability Incidence

The disability incidence rate is the ratio of the number of new beneficiaries

awarded benefits each year to the number of individuals who meet insured

requirements but are not yet receiving benefits (the disability-exposed population1). The Office of the Chief Actuary projects the number of newly

awarded beneficiaries for each future year by multiplying assumed age-sexspecific disability incidence rates and the projected disability-exposed population by age and sex.

Figure V.C3 illustrates the historical and estimated incidence rates under the

three alternatives. Incidence rates have varied substantially during the historical period since 1970 due to a variety of demographic and economic factors,

along with changes in legislation and program administration. The solid lines

in figure V.C3 show the incidence rate adjusted to the age-sex distribution of

the disability-exposed population for 2000. This adjustment allows a comparison of incidence rates over time by focusing on the likelihood of becoming disabled, and by excluding the effects of a changing distribution of the

population toward ages where disability is more or less likely.

The dashed lines in figure V.C3 represent the gross (unadjusted) incidence

rates. The changing age-sex distribution of the exposed population over time

influences these unadjusted rates. The gross incidence rate fell substantially

below the age-sex-adjusted rate between 1975 and 1995 as the baby-boom

generation swelled the size of the younger working-age population, where

 1 The disability-exposed population excludes those receiving benefits, while the disability insured population includes them. Section .C.3 of this report describes the projection of the disability insured population.
Assumptions and Methods

126

disability incidence is lower than in older populations. After 1995, the gross

rate rose faster than the age-sex-adjusted rate as the baby-boom generation

moved into an age range where disability incidence peaks. After 2023, the

projected gross incidence rate declines relative to the age-sex-adjusted rate

as the baby-boom generation moves above the normal retirement age and the

lower-birth-rate cohorts of the 1970s enter prime disability ages (50 to normal retirement age). As these smaller cohorts age beyond normal retirement

age, by about 2050, the gross incidence rate returns to a higher relative level

under the intermediate assumptions. Thereafter, the gross rate remains higher

and reflects the persistently higher average age of the working-age population, which is largely due to lower birth rates since 1965.

For the first 10 years of the projection period (through 2021), incidence rates

reflect several factors including: (1) aspects of program administration, such

as efforts to reduce the disability backlog and recent changes to how claims

are adjudicated; (2) assumed future unemployment rates; and (3) underlying

trends in incidence. For this year’s report, all three sets of underlying economic assumptions include a gradual economic recovery with unemployment rates gradually declining to their ultimate sustainable levels. During the

period of high unemployment, the projected disability incidence rates are

above the general trend level. The elevated incidence rates subside as the

economy recovers, and then briefly drop below the general trend level since

some of the earlier additional awards would have occurred in a later year.

After 2021, age-sex-specific incidence rates trend toward the ultimate rates

assumed for the long-range projections and reach these ultimate rates in

2031. These ultimate age-sex-specific disability incidence rates were

selected based on careful analysis of historical levels and patterns and

expected future conditions, including the impact of scheduled increases in

the normal retirement age.1 The ultimate incidence rates represent the likely

average rates of incidence for the future.

For the intermediate alternative, the Trustees assume that the ultimate agesex-adjusted incidence rate (adjusted to the disability-exposed population for

the year 2000) will be 5.4 awards per thousand exposed, which is higher than

in last year’s report by 0.2 awards per thousand exposed. Figure V.C3 illustrates that the estimated ultimate age-sex-adjusted incidence level of 5.4 is

only slightly higher than the average rate for the historical period 1970

through 2011. However, a similar comparison using gross incidence rates

gives a different result. The estimated ultimate gross incidence rate is signifi-

 1 Projected incidence rates are adjusted upward to account for additional workers who are expected to file

for disability benefits (rather than retirement benefits) in response to reductions in retirement benefits as the

normal retirement age rises.
127

Program Assumptions and Methods

cantly greater than the average gross rate over the historical period due to the

changing age-sex distribution of the disability-exposed population.

The Trustees assume that the ultimate age-sex-adjusted incidence rates for

the low-cost and high-cost alternatives will be 4.4 and 6.5 awards per thousand exposed, or about 15 percent lower and 25 percent higher than the average for the historical period, respectively. Each of these ultimate age-sexadjusted incidence rates is higher than those in last year’s report by 0.2

awards per thousand exposed.

b. Disability Termination

Beneficiaries stop receiving disability benefits when they die or recover from

their disabling condition. The basis for determining recovery can be either

medical or vocational. The termination rate is the ratio of the number of terminations to the average number of disabled-worker beneficiaries during the

year.

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects termination rates by age, sex, and

reason for termination. In addition, the office assumes that termination rates

 Figure V.C3.—DI Disability Incidence Rates, 1970-2090

[Awards per thousand disability-exposed]

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Gross incidence rates

Age-sex-adjusted

incidence rates

I

II

III

Historical Estimated
Assumptions and Methods

128

in the long-range period (post-2021) vary by duration of entitlement to disabled-worker benefits.

In the short-range period (through 2021), the projected age-sex-adjusted

death rate (adjusted to the 2000 disabled-worker population) under the intermediate assumptions gradually declines from 26.0 deaths per thousand beneficiaries in 2011 to about 21.9 per thousand by 2021. The projected age-sexadjusted recovery rate under the intermediate assumptions rises from a relatively low level of 9.9 per thousand beneficiaries in 2011 (reflecting temporarily lower levels of continuing disability reviews) to 11.2 per thousand

beneficiaries by 2021. Under the low-cost and high-cost assumptions, total

age-sex-adjusted termination rates due to death and recovery are roughly 10-

15 percent higher or lower, respectively, than under the intermediate assumptions.

For the long-range period (post-2021), the Office of the Chief Actuary projects death and recovery rates by age, sex, and duration of entitlement relative to the average level of rates experienced over the base period 2001-

2005. The assumed ultimate age-sex-adjusted recovery rate for disabled

workers is about 10.4 per thousand beneficiaries. The assumed ultimate agesex-adjusted recovery rates for the low-cost and high-cost alternatives are

about 12.5 and 8.2 recoveries per thousand beneficiaries, respectively.

Recovery rates by age, sex, and duration of entitlement reach ultimate levels

in the twentieth year of the projection period (2031) for all three sets of

assumptions. In contrast, death rates by age and sex change throughout the

long-range period at the same rate as death rates in the general population.

From the age-sex-adjusted death rate of 26.0 per thousand beneficiaries in

2011, rates decrease to 17.3, 10.6, and 6.1 per thousand disabled-worker beneficiaries for 2090 under the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions, respectively.

Figure V.C4 illustrates gross and age-sex-adjusted total termination rates for

disabled-worker beneficiaries for the historical period since 1970, and for the

projection period through 2090. In the near term, in 2013 and 2014, projected recovery terminations increase because the Social Security Administration continues to reduce the pending backlog of continuing disability

reviews. As with incidence rates, the age-sex-adjusted termination rate illustrates the real change in the tendency to terminate benefits. Changes in the

age-sex distribution of the beneficiary population influence the gross rate. A

shift in the beneficiary population to older ages, as when the baby-boom generation moves into pre-retirement ages, increases gross death termination

rates relative to the age-sex-adjusted rates.
129

Program Assumptions and Methods

c. Comparison of Incidence, Termination, and Conversion

Incidence and termination rates are the foundation for projecting the number

of disabled-worker beneficiaries in current-payment status. At normal retirement age, beneficiaries convert to retired-worker status and leave the DI

rolls. Conversions are simply a transfer of beneficiaries at normal retirement

age from the DI Trust Fund account to the OASI Trust Fund account. Therefore, the disability “conversion” rate is 100 percent for disabled-worker beneficiaries reaching normal retirement age in a given year and zero at all other

ages. After conversion, recovery from the disabling condition is no longer

relevant. Conversions represent a form of exit from the DI rolls and therefore

the Office of the Chief Actuary excludes them from disabled-worker beneficiary totals.

Figure V.C5 compares the historical and projected (intermediate) levels of

incidence, termination, and conversion on both a gross basis and an age-sexadjusted basis. The conversion ratio is the number of conversions in a given

year (that is, beneficiaries who reach normal retirement age) divided by the

average number of disabled-worker beneficiaries at all ages in that year. The

ratio is constant on an age-sex-adjusted basis, except for the two periods during which normal retirement age increases under current law. On a gross

 Figure V.C4.—DI Disability Termination Rates, 1970-2090

[Terminations per thousand disabled-worker beneficiaries]

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Gross termination rates

Age-sex-adjusted

termination rates

II

III

I

Historical Estimated
Assumptions and Methods

130

basis, however, the conversion ratio rises and falls with the changing proportion of all disabled-worker beneficiaries who attain normal retirement age in

a given year.

Termination rates have declined and the Trustees expect them to continue to

decline, largely because of declining death rates. Incidence rates have varied

widely, and, on an age-sex-adjusted basis under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees expect them to remain near the middle of the high and low

extremes experienced since 1970. The gross conversion ratio generally

increases due to aging of the beneficiary population.

d. DI Beneficiaries and Disability Prevalence Rates

The Office of the Chief Actuary makes detailed projections of disabledworker awards, terminations, and conversions and combines these to project

the number of disabled workers receiving benefits over the next 75 years.

Table V.C5 presents the projected numbers of disabled workers in currentpayment status. The number of disabled workers in current-payment status

grows from 8.6 million at the end of 2011, to 12.7 million, 14.4 million, and

15.0 million at the end of 2090, under the low-cost, intermediate, and high-

 Figure V.C5.—Comparison of DI Disability Incidence Rates, Termination Rates and 

Conversion Ratios Under Intermediate Assumptions, 1970-2090

[Awards per thousand disability-exposed;

terminations and conversions per thousand disabled-worker beneficiaries]

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Termination rates &

Conversion ratios

Incidence rates

Calendar year

Gross incidence rates

Age-sex-adjusted incidence rates

Gross conversion ratios

Age-sex-adjusted conversion ratios

Age-sex-adjusted and 

gross termination rates

Historical Estimated
131

Program Assumptions and Methods

cost assumptions, respectively. Of course, much of this growth results from

the growth and aging of the population described earlier in this chapter. Table

V.C5 also presents projected numbers of auxiliary beneficiaries and disability prevalence rates on both a gross basis and an age-sex-adjusted basis.

Table V.C5.—DI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status

at the End of Calendar Years 1960-2090

[Beneficiaries in thousands; prevalence rates per thousand persons insured for disability benefits]

Calendar year

Disabledworker

beneficiaries

Auxiliary beneficiaries

Total

beneficiaries

Disability

prevalence rates

Spouse Child Gross

Age-sexadjusted

Historical data:

1960. . . . . . . . . . . . 455 77 155 687 — —

1965. . . . . . . . . . . . 988 193 558 1,739 — —

1970. . . . . . . . . . . . 1,493 283 889 2,665 20 18

1975. . . . . . . . . . . . 2,488 453 1,411 4,351 29 29

1980. . . . . . . . . . . . 2,856 462 1,359 4,677 28 31

1985. . . . . . . . . . . . 2,653 306 945 3,904 24 26

1990. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,007 266 989 4,261 25 28

1995. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,179 264 1,409 5,852 33 35

1996. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,378 224 1,463 6,065 34 36

1997. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,501 207 1,438 6,146 34 36

1998. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,691 190 1,446 6,327 35 36

1999. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,870 176 1,468 6,514 36 36

2000. . . . . . . . . . . . 5,036 165 1,466 6,667 37 37

2001. . . . . . . . . . . . 5,268 157 1,482 6,907 38 37

2002. . . . . . . . . . . . 5,539 152 1,526 7,217 39 38

2003. . . . . . . . . . . . 5,869 151 1,571 7,590 41 39

2004. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,198 153 1,599 7,950 43 39

2005. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,519 157 1,633 8,309 45 40

2006. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,807 156 1,652 8,615 46 40

2007. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,099 154 1,665 8,918 48 41

2008. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,427 155 1,692 9,273 50 41

2009. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,788 159 1,749 9,695 52 43

2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,204 161 1,820 10,185 55 44

2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,576 164 1,874 10,614 57 45

Intermediate:

2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,864 164 1,933 10,960 58 46

2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,396 163 2,044 11,602 61 47

2020. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,683 168 2,086 11,937 62 47

2025. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,280 180 2,175 12,635 64 47

2030. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,264 180 2,287 12,731 63 48

2035. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,385 170 2,368 12,922 62 48

2040. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,623 165 2,436 13,224 62 48

2045. . . . . . . . . . . . 11,166 178 2,506 13,850 63 49

2050. . . . . . . . . . . . 11,539 189 2,579 14,307 64 49

2055. . . . . . . . . . . . 11,874 208 2,664 14,745 65 49

2060. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,077 220 2,749 15,046 65 50

2065. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,485 230 2,831 15,547 65 50

2070. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,923 236 2,904 16,063 66 50

2075. . . . . . . . . . . . 13,282 237 2,968 16,488 66 51

2080. . . . . . . . . . . . 13,734 244 3,035 17,013 67 51

2085. . . . . . . . . . . . 14,068 250 3,104 17,423 68 51

2090. . . . . . . . . . . . 14,366 255 3,177 17,797 68 51
Assumptions and Methods

132

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

The disability prevalence rate is the ratio of the number of disabled-worker

beneficiaries in current-payment status to the number of persons insured for

disability benefits. Figure V.C6 illustrates the historical and projected disability prevalence rates on both a gross basis and on an age-sex-adjusted

basis (adjusted to the age-sex distribution of the insured population for the

year 2000).

Changes in prevalence rates are a direct result of changes in incidence rates

and termination rates. Figure V.C5 depicts patterns for incidence and termination rates, which are helpful for understanding the trend in prevalence

Low-cost:

2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,770 163 1,900 10,832 58 45

2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,910 159 1,909 10,977 58 45

2020. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,697 163 1,873 10,732 55 42

2025. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,850 151 1,907 10,908 54 40

2030. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,497 142 1,972 10,611 51 39

2035. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,364 125 2,042 10,530 49 38

2040. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,425 115 2,127 10,667 48 38

2045. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,785 120 2,225 11,130 48 38

2050. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,052 126 2,328 11,506 48 38

2055. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,322 137 2,441 11,900 47 38

2060. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,534 144 2,565 12,243 47 38

2065. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,939 152 2,706 12,797 47 38

2070. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,422 156 2,850 13,428 47 38

2075. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,918 156 2,992 14,066 47 39

2080. . . . . . . . . . . . 11,569 162 3,135 14,867 47 39

2085. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,169 169 3,280 15,619 48 39

2090. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,748 175 3,430 16,353 48 39

High-cost:

2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,958 165 1,966 11,089 59 46

2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,943 167 2,198 12,309 65 50

2020. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,806 174 2,321 13,301 70 53

2025. . . . . . . . . . . . 11,790 214 2,447 14,450 74 54

2030. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,073 223 2,566 14,862 75 57

2035. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,450 221 2,618 15,289 76 59

2040. . . . . . . . . . . . 12,876 221 2,635 15,732 78 60

2045. . . . . . . . . . . . 13,602 243 2,642 16,488 81 60

2050. . . . . . . . . . . . 14,066 261 2,652 16,978 83 61

2055. . . . . . . . . . . . 14,431 282 2,686 17,400 85 62

2060. . . . . . . . . . . . 14,574 299 2,712 17,584 86 62

2065. . . . . . . . . . . . 14,899 315 2,715 17,930 87 63

2070. . . . . . . . . . . . 15,181 329 2,700 18,210 89 63

2075. . . . . . . . . . . . 15,253 330 2,675 18,257 90 63

2080. . . . . . . . . . . . 15,289 331 2,653 18,273 91 63

2085. . . . . . . . . . . . 15,157 327 2,639 18,124 91 64

2090. . . . . . . . . . . . 15,004 324 2,631 17,959 91 64

Table V.C5.—DI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status

at the End of Calendar Years 1960-2090 (Cont.)

[Beneficiaries in thousands; prevalence rates per thousand persons insured for disability benefits]

Calendar year

Disabledworker

beneficiaries

Auxiliary beneficiaries

Total

beneficiaries

Disability

prevalence rates

Spouse Child Gross

Age-sexadjusted
133

Program Assumptions and Methods

rates. Annual incidence and termination rates are not directly comparable or

combinable because their denominators differ.

Age-sex-adjusted prevalence rates have increased primarily because: (1) termination rates have declined; (2) incidence rates at younger ages have

increased relative to rates at older ages; and (3) incidence rates have

increased substantially for women to parity with men. Gross prevalence rates

have increased more than age-sex-adjusted prevalence rates ever since the

baby-boom generation began to reach ages 50 through normal retirement

age, a time of life when disability incidence rates are relatively high. With

this upward shift in the age distribution of the disabled population, gross

conversions to retired worker status at normal retirement age have naturally

increased as well. The Office of the Chief Actuary projects both gross and

age-sex adjusted prevalence rates to grow at a slower pace based on assumed

stabilization in three factors: (1) the age distribution of the general population; (2) the age distribution of the disability insured population; and

(3) relative incidence rates by age and gender. As these factors gradually stabilize, the declining death termination rate continues to have a small influence toward higher disability prevalence rates.

 Figure V.C6.—DI Disability Prevalence Rates, 1970-2090

[Rate per thousand persons insured for disability benefits]

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090

Calendar year

Gross prevalence rates

Age-sex-adjusted

prevalence rates

III

II

II

I

I

Historical Estimated

III
Assumptions and Methods

134

As mentioned above in the discussion of incidence and termination rates, the

age-sex-adjusted prevalence rate isolates the changing trend in the true likelihood of receiving benefits for the insured population, without reflecting

changes in the age distribution of the population. As with incidence rates,

gross disability prevalence rates declined relative to the age-sex-adjusted rate

when the baby-boom generation reached working age between 1975 and

1995; this trend reflects the lower disability prevalence rates associated with

younger ages. Conversely, the gross rate of disability prevalence has

increased relative to the age-sex-adjusted rate after 1995 due to the aging of

the baby-boom generation into ages with higher disability prevalence rates.

Under the intermediate assumptions, the projected age-sex-adjusted disability prevalence rate grows from 45.1 per thousand disability insured at the end

of 2011 to 51.0 per thousand at the end of 2090. As mentioned above, the

Office of the Chief Actuary projects that the growth in prevalence will slow

relative to the historical period.

Under the low-cost and high-cost assumptions, the age-sex-adjusted disability prevalence rate decreases to 39.0 per thousand and increases to 63.7 per

thousand insured workers at the end of 2090, respectively.

Table V.C5 presents projections of the numbers of auxiliary beneficiaries

paid from the DI Trust Fund. As indicated at the beginning of this subsection, auxiliary beneficiaries are qualifying spouses and children of disabled

workers. A spouse must either be at least age 62 or have an eligible child

beneficiary in his or her care who is either under age 16 or disabled prior to

age 22. A child must be: (1) under age 18; (2) age 18 or 19 and still a student

in high school; or (3) age 18 or older and disabled prior to age 22.

The projection of the number of auxiliary beneficiaries relies on the projected number of disabled-worker beneficiaries. In the short-range period

(2012-21), the Office of the Chief Actuary projects incidence and termination rates for each category of auxiliary beneficiary. After 2021, the office

projects child beneficiaries at ages 18 and under in relation to the projected

number of children in the population using the probability that either of their

parents is a disabled-worker beneficiary. The office projects the remaining

categories of children and spouses in a similar manner.

6. Covered and Taxable Earnings, Taxable Payroll, and Payroll Tax

Contributions

Covered earnings are the sum of covered wages and covered self-employment net earnings. The Office of the Chief Actuary projects covered wages

for component sectors of the economy (i.e., private, State and local, Federal
135

Program Assumptions and Methods

civilian, and military) based on the projected overall growth of sectoral and

total wages in the U.S. economy. The projections of covered wages also

reflect changes in covered employment due to a relative increase in non-covered undocumented immigrants and to the mandatory coverage of new hires

in the Federal civilian sector. The office projects covered self-employment

net earnings based on the growth in net proprietors’ income in the U.S. economy.

Taxable earnings are the amount of covered earnings subject to the Social

Security payroll tax. Taxable wages for an employee are total covered wages

from all wage employment up to the contribution and benefit base. Taxable

wages for an employer are the sum of all covered wages paid to each

employee up to the base. Employees with multiple jobs whose total wages

exceed the base are eligible for a refund of excess taxes withheld; employers

are not eligible for a refund on this basis. For self-employed workers with no

taxable wages, taxable earnings are the amount of covered self-employment

net earnings up to the base. For self-employed workers with taxable wages

less than the base, covered self-employment net earnings are taxable up to

the difference between the base and their taxable wages. For projection purposes, the Office of the Chief Actuary computes taxable earnings based on a

proportion of covered earnings that is at or below the base.

The OASDI taxable payroll (see table VI.F6) is the amount of earnings in a

year that, when multiplied by the combined OASDI employee-employer

payroll tax rate, yields the total amount of payroll taxes due from wages and

self-employment net earnings in the year. The Trustees use taxable payroll to

estimate OASDI income and to determine income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances. (See section IV.B.1 for definitions of these terms.) Taxable

payroll derives from taxable earnings, which is the sum of taxable wages and

self-employment earnings. In computing taxable payroll, wages take into

account the “excess wages” earned by workers with multiple jobs whose

combined wages exceed the contribution and benefit base. In addition, from

1983 through 2001, taxable payroll includes deemed wage credits for military service after 1956. Prior to 1984, the self-employment tax rate was less

than the combined employee-employer rate; therefore, the Office of the

Chief Actuary multiplies taxable self-employment earnings by the ratio of

the self-employment rate to the combined employee-employer rate to reflect

this difference in payroll tax rate. Also, prior to 1988, employers were

exempt from paying Social Security payroll tax on part of their employees’

tips. To take this exemption into account, the office reduces taxable payroll

by half of the amount of tips not subject to employer tax.
Assumptions and Methods

136

The ratio of taxable payroll to covered earnings fell from 88.1 percent for

1984 to 82.5 percent for 2000, mostly due to relatively higher increases in

wage levels for very high earners. From 2000 to 2010, the taxable payroll

ratio varied with the business cycle, rising during economic downturns and

falling during recoveries. Specifically, the ratio rose to 85.6 percent for 2002,

declined to 82.2 percent for 2007, rose to 84.9 percent for 2009, and was

83.9 percent for 2010.

For the 2011 report, the Trustees assumed a level for the taxable payroll ratio

for 2021 of 82.5 percent for the intermediate assumptions, 81.8 percent for

the high-cost assumptions (or about 0.75 percentage point lower than the

intermediate assumptions), and 83.3 percent for the low-cost assumptions (or

about 0.75 percentage point higher than the intermediate assumptions). For

the 2012 report, the Trustees assume a level for the taxable payroll ratio for

2021 of 82.5 percent for the intermediate assumptions, 81.0 percent for the

high-cost assumptions (or about 1.50 percentage points lower than the intermediate assumptions), and 84.0 percent for the low-cost assumptions (or

about 1.50 percentage points higher than the intermediate assumptions).

Compared to the 2011 report, the Trustees assume the same level

(82.5 percent) for the taxable payroll ratio for 2021 under the intermediate

assumptions, but assume levels that have a wider range for the high-cost and

low-cost assumptions.

The Office of the Chief Actuary projects payroll tax contributions using the

patterns of tax collection required by Federal laws and regulations. The

office determines payroll tax liabilities by multiplying the scheduled tax rates

for each year by the amount of taxable wages and self-employment net earnings for that year. The office then splits these liabilities into amounts by collection period. For wages, Federal law requires that employers withhold

OASDI and HI payroll taxes and Federal individual income taxes from

employees’ pay. As an employer’s accumulation of such taxes (including the

employer share of payroll taxes) meets certain thresholds, which the Department of the Treasury determines, the employer must deposit these taxes with

the U.S. Treasury by a specific day, depending on the amount of money

involved1. For projection purposes, the office splits the payroll tax contributions related to wages into amounts paid in the same quarter as incurred and

in the following quarter. Self-employed workers must make estimated tax

payments on their earnings four times during the year and to make up any

 1 Generally, the higher the amount of liability, the sooner the taxes must be paid. For smaller employers,

payment is due by the middle of the month following when the liability was incurred. Medium-size employers have three banking days in which to make their deposits. Larger employers must make payment on the

next business day after paying their employees.
137

Program Assumptions and Methods

underestimate on their individual income tax returns. The projection splits

the self-employed tax liabilities by collection quarter to reflect this pattern of

receipts. 

The projected tax contributions also reflect the method used to insure that

money transferred to the trust funds is adjusted, over time, to equal the actual

liability owed. Because payers generally make tax payments without identifying the separate OASDI contribution amounts, Treasury makes daily transfers of money from the general fund to the trust funds on an initial estimated

basis. The Social Security Administration periodically certifies the amounts

of wages and self-employment net earnings on which tax contributions are

owed for each year, at which time Treasury determines adjustments to appropriations to reconcile tax liabilities with deposits in the trust funds. This process also includes periodic transfers from the trust funds to the general fund

for contributions on wages in excess of the contribution and benefit base.

Table V.C6 shows the payroll tax contribution rates applicable under current

law in each calendar year and the allocation of these rates between the OASI

and DI Trust Funds.1 It also shows the contribution and benefit base for each

year through 2012.

 1 Table VI.F1 shows the payroll tax contribution rates for the Hospital Insurance (HI) program.
Assumptions and Methods

138

Table V.C6.—Contribution and Benefit Base and Payroll Tax Contribution Rates

Calendar years

Contribution

and benefit 

base

Payroll tax contribution rates (percent)

Employees and employers, 

combineda Self-employedb

OASDI OASI DI OASDI OASI DI

1937-49 . . . . . . . . . $3,000 2.00 2.00 — — — —

1950. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000 3.00 3.00 — — — —

1951-53 . . . . . . . . . 3,600 3.00 3.00 — 2.2500 2.2500 —

1954. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,600 4.00 4.00 — 3.0000 3.0000 —

1955-56 . . . . . . . . . 4,200 4.00 4.00 — 3.0000 3.0000 —

1957-58 . . . . . . . . . 4,200 4.50 4.00 0.50 3.3750 3.0000 0.3750

1959. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,800 5.00 4.50 .50 3.7500 3.3750 .3750

1960-61 . . . . . . . . . 4,800 6.00 5.50 .50 4.5000 4.1250 .3750

1962. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,800 6.25 5.75 .50 4.7000 4.3250 .3750

1963-65 . . . . . . . . . 4,800 7.25 6.75 .50 5.4000 5.0250 .3750

1966. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,600 7.70 7.00 .70 5.8000 5.2750 .5250

1967. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,600 7.80 7.10 .70 5.9000 5.3750 .5250

1968. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,800 7.60 6.65 .95 5.8000 5.0875 .7125

1969. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,800 8.40 7.45 .95 6.3000 5.5875 .7125

1970. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,800 8.40 7.30 1.10 6.3000 5.4750 .8250

1971. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,800 9.20 8.10 1.10 6.9000 6.0750 .8250

1972. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,000 9.20 8.10 1.10 6.9000 6.0750 .8250

1973. . . . . . . . . . . . 10,800 9.70 8.60 1.10 7.0000 6.2050 .7950

1974. . . . . . . . . . . . 13,200 9.90 8.75 1.15 7.0000 6.1850 .8150

1975. . . . . . . . . . . . 14,100 9.90 8.75 1.15 7.0000 6.1850 .8150

1976. . . . . . . . . . . . 15,300 9.90 8.75 1.15 7.0000 6.1850 .8150

1977. . . . . . . . . . . . 16,500 9.90 8.75 1.15 7.0000 6.1850 .8150

1978. . . . . . . . . . . . 17,700 10.10 8.55 1.55 7.1000 6.0100 1.0900

1979. . . . . . . . . . . . 22,900 10.16 8.66 1.50 7.0500 6.0100 1.0400

1980. . . . . . . . . . . . 25,900 10.16 9.04 1.12 7.0500 6.2725 .7775

1981. . . . . . . . . . . . 29,700 10.70 9.40 1.30 8.0000 7.0250 .9750

1982. . . . . . . . . . . . 32,400 10.80 9.15 1.65 8.0500 6.8125 1.2375

1983. . . . . . . . . . . . 35,700 10.80 9.55 1.25 8.0500 7.1125 .9375

1984c. . . . . . . . . . . 37,800 11.40 10.40 1.00 11.4000 10.4000 1.0000

1985c. . . . . . . . . . . 39,600 11.40 10.40 1.00 11.4000 10.4000 1.0000

1986c. . . . . . . . . . . 42,000 11.40 10.40 1.00 11.4000 10.4000 1.0000

1987c. . . . . . . . . . . 43,800 11.40 10.40 1.00 11.4000 10.4000 1.0000

1988c. . . . . . . . . . . 45,000 12.12 11.06 1.06 12.1200 11.0600 1.0600

1989c. . . . . . . . . . . 48,000 12.12 11.06 1.06 12.1200 11.0600 1.0600

1990 . . . . . . . . . . . 51,300 12.40 11.20 1.20 12.4000 11.2000 1.2000

1991. . . . . . . . . . . . 53,400 12.40 11.20 1.20 12.4000 11.2000 1.2000

1992. . . . . . . . . . . . 55,500 12.40 11.20 1.20 12.4000 11.2000 1.2000

1993. . . . . . . . . . . . 57,600 12.40 11.20 1.20 12.4000 11.2000 1.2000

1994. . . . . . . . . . . . 60,600 12.40 10.52 1.88 12.4000 10.5200 1.8800

1995. . . . . . . . . . . . 61,200 12.40 10.52 1.88 12.4000 10.5200 1.8800

1996. . . . . . . . . . . . 62,700 12.40 10.52 1.88 12.4000 10.5200 1.8800

1997. . . . . . . . . . . . 65,400 12.40 10.70 1.70 12.4000 10.7000 1.7000

1998. . . . . . . . . . . . 68,400 12.40 10.70 1.70 12.4000 10.7000 1.7000

1999. . . . . . . . . . . . 72,600 12.40 10.70 1.70 12.4000 10.7000 1.7000

2000. . . . . . . . . . . . 76,200 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2001. . . . . . . . . . . . 80,400 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2002. . . . . . . . . . . . 84,900 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2003. . . . . . . . . . . . 87,000 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2004. . . . . . . . . . . . 87,900 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2005. . . . . . . . . . . . 90,000 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000
139

Program Assumptions and Methods

7. Income From Taxation of Benefits

Current law credits the OASI and DI Trust Funds with income taxes from the

taxation of up to the first 50 percent of OASI and DI benefit payments. (The

HI Trust Fund receives the remainder of the income taxes from the taxation

of up to 85 percent of OASI and DI benefit payments.)

For the short-range period, the Office of the Chief Actuary estimates the

income to the trust funds from taxation of benefits by applying the following

two factors to total OASI and DI benefit payments: (1) the percentage of

benefit payments (limited to 50 percent) that is taxable; and (2) the average

marginal tax rate applicable to those benefits.

For the long-range period, the office estimates the income to the trust funds

from taxation of benefits by applying projected ratios of taxation of OASI

and DI benefits to total OASI and DI benefit payments. The income thresholds used for benefit taxation are, by law, constant in the future, while

income and benefit levels continue to rise. Accordingly, projected ratios of

income from taxation of benefits to the amount of benefits increase gradu2006. . . . . . . . . . . . $94,200 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2007. . . . . . . . . . . . 97,500 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2008. . . . . . . . . . . . 102,000 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2009. . . . . . . . . . . . 106,800 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2010d . . . . . . . . . . . 106,800 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

2011d . . . . . . . . . . . 106,800 10.40 8.89 1.51 10.4000 8.8900 1.5100

2012d . . . . . . . . . . . 110,100 10.40 8.89 1.51 10.4000 8.8900 1.5100

2013 and later . . . . e 12.40 10.60 1.80 12.4000 10.6000 1.8000

a Except as noted below, the combined employee/employer rate is divided equally between employees and

employers.

b Beginning in 1990, self-employed persons receive a deduction, for purposes of computing their net earnings, equal to half of the combined OASDI and HI contributions that would be payable without regard to the

contribution and benefit base. The OASDI contribution rate then applies to net earnings after this deduction,

but subject to the OASDI base.

c In 1984 only, employees received an immediate credit of 0.3 percent of taxable wages against their OASDI

payroll tax contributions. The self-employed received similar credits of 2.7 percent, 2.3 percent, and

2.0 percent against their combined OASDI and Hospital Insurance (HI) contributions on net earnings from

self-employment in 1984, 1985, and 1986-89, respectively. The General Fund of the Treasury reimbursed the

trust funds for these credits.

d Public Law 111-147 exempted most employers from paying the employer share of OASDI payroll tax on

wages paid during the period March 19, 2010 through December 31, 2010 to certain qualified individuals

hired after February 3, 2010. Public Law 111-312 reduced the OASDI payroll tax rate for 2011 by 2 percentage points for employees and for self-employed workers. Public Law 112-96 extended the 2011 rate reduction through 2012. These laws require that the General Fund of the Treasury reimburse the OASI and DI

Trust Funds for these temporary reductions in 2010 through 2012 payroll tax revenue, in order to “replicate

to the extent possible” revenue that would have been received if the combined employee/employer payroll

tax rates had remained at 12.4 percent for OASDI (10.6 percent for OASI and 1.8 percent for DI).

e Subject to automatic adjustment based on increases in average wages.

Table V.C6.—Contribution and Benefit Base and Payroll Tax Contribution Rates (Cont.)

Calendar years

Contribution

and benefit 

base

Payroll tax contribution rates (percent)

Employees and employers, 

combineda Self-employedb

OASDI OASI DI OASDI OASI DI
Assumptions and Methods

140

ally. Ultimate tax ratios for OASI and DI benefits used in the projection rely

on estimates from the Office of Tax Analysis in the Department of the Treasury. 

8. Average Benefits

Projections of average benefits for each benefit type depend on recent historical averages, projected average primary insurance amounts (PIAs), and projected ratios of average benefits to average PIAs. Calculations of average

PIAs depend on projected distributions of beneficiaries by duration from

year of initial entitlement, average PIAs at initial entitlement, and increases

in PIAs after initial entitlement. Projected increases in average PIAs after initial entitlement depend on automatic benefit increases, recomputations to

reflect additional covered earnings, and other factors. Calculations of future

average PIAs at initial entitlement depend on projected earnings histories,

which in turn depend on a combination of the actual earnings histories associated with a sample of 2007 initial entitlements and more recent actual earnings levels by age and sex for covered workers.

For retired-worker, aged-spouse, and aged-widow(er) benefits, the percentage of the PIA that is payable depends on the age at initial entitlement to

benefits. Projected ratios of average benefits to average PIAs for these types

of benefits depend on projections of age distributions at initial entitlement.

9. Benefit Payments

For each type of benefit, benefit payments are the product of the number of

beneficiaries and the corresponding average monthly benefit. The shortrange model calculates benefit payments on a quarterly basis. The long-range

model calculates all benefit payments on an annual basis, using the number

of beneficiaries on December 31. Adjustments to these annual benefit payments include retroactive payments to newly awarded beneficiaries and other

amounts not reflected in the regular monthly benefit payments.

Lump-sum death payments are the product of: (1) the number of lump-sum

death payments projected on the basis of the assumed death rates, the projected fully insured population, and the estimated percentage of the fully

insured population that will qualify for benefits; and (2) the amount of the

lump-sum death payment, which is $255 (unindexed since 1973).

10.Illustrative Scheduled Benefit Amounts

Table V.C7 shows, under the intermediate assumptions, future benefit

amounts payable upon retirement at the normal retirement age and at age 65,
141

Program Assumptions and Methods

for workers attaining age 65 in 2012 and subsequent years. The table shows

illustrative benefit amounts for workers with four separate pre-retirement

earnings patterns. The benefit amounts in table V.C7 are in CPI-indexed

2012 dollars—that is, adjusted to 2012 levels by the CPI indexing series

shown in table VI.F6. Table V.C7 also shows each benefit amount as a percentage of career-average earnings, wage indexed to the year prior to retirement. These percentages are therefore the benefit “replacement rates” for

earners with the career-average level of earnings.

The normal retirement age was 65 for individuals who reached age 62 before

2000. It increased to age 66 during the period 2000-05, at a rate of 2 months

per year as workers attained age 62. Under current law, the normal retirement

age will increase to age 67 during the period 2017-22, also by 2 months per

year as workers attain age 62. The illustrative benefit amounts shown in table

V.C7 for retirees at age 65 are lower than the amounts shown for retirees at

normal retirement age because the statute requires actuarial reduction of benefits taken before normal retirement age.

Table V.C7 shows four different pre-retirement earnings patterns. Three of

these patterns assume the earnings history of workers with scaled-earnings

patterns1 and reflect low, medium, and high career-average levels of preretirement earnings starting at age 21. The fourth pattern assumes the earnings history of a steady maximum earner. The three scaled-earnings patterns

derive from earnings experienced by insured workers during 1991-2008.

These earnings levels differ by age. The career-average level of earnings for

each scaled case targets a percent of the national average wage index (AWI).

As a result, the benefit amounts shown here are consistent with the levels for

“steady-earnings” cases presented in the 2000 and earlier Trustees Reports.

Since 2001, the Trustees have used scaled-earnings cases, instead of steadyearnings cases, because they better illustrate the differences in benefit levels

under the wide variety of reform proposals considered in recent years.

For the scaled medium earner, the career-average earnings level is about

equal to the AWI. For the scaled low and high earners, the career-average

earnings level is about 45 percent and 160 percent of the AWI, respectively.

The steady maximum earner has earnings at or above the contribution and

benefit base for each year starting at age 22 through the year prior to retirement.

 1 Actuarial Note Number 2011.3 has more details on scaled-earnings patterns.

See www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/NOTES/ran3/an2011-3.html.
Assumptions and Methods

142

Table V.C7.—Annual Scheduled Benefit Amountsa for Retired Workers

With Various Pre-Retirement Earnings Patterns

Based on Intermediate Assumptions, Calendar Years 2012-90 

Year attain age 65b

Retirement at normal retirement age Retirement at age 65

Age at

retirement

CPI-indexed

2012

dollars c Percent of

earnings

Age at

retirement

CPI-indexed

2012

dollarsc Percent ofearnings

 Scaled low earnings:d

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 $11,390 57.8 65:0 $10,648 55.0

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 11,327 53.7 65:0 10,582 51.4

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:2 12,481 53.9 65:0 11,503 50.4

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 13,643 55.5 65:0 11,827 49.2

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 14,347 55.3 65:0 12,436 49.0

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 15,161 55.2 65:0 13,134 48.9

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 16,042 55.1 65:0 13,904 48.9

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 16,988 55.3 65:0 14,722 48.9

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 17,960 55.3 65:0 15,568 49.0

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 18,958 55.4 65:0 16,429 49.0

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 20,001 55.4 65:0 17,335 49.1

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 21,084 55.4 65:0 18,273 49.1

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 22,228 55.4 65:0 19,264 49.1

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 23,428 55.4 65:0 20,304 49.1

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 24,710 55.4 65:0 21,415 49.0

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 26,079 55.3 65:0 22,603 49.0

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 27,551 55.3 65:0 23,877 49.0

Scaled medium earnings:e

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 18,771 42.9 65:0 17,534 40.8

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 18,667 39.8 65:0 17,441 38.1

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:2 20,575 40.0 65:0 18,966 37.4

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 22,498 41.2 65:0 19,492 36.5

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 23,644 41.0 65:0 20,491 36.3

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 24,987 40.9 65:0 21,652 36.3

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 26,444 40.9 65:0 22,920 36.3

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 27,999 41.0 65:0 24,266 36.3

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 29,603 41.1 65:0 25,655 36.4

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 31,244 41.1 65:0 27,079 36.4

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 32,958 41.1 65:0 28,565 36.4

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 34,745 41.1 65:0 30,113 36.4

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 36,632 41.1 65:0 31,747 36.4

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 38,607 41.1 65:0 33,459 36.4

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 40,719 41.0 65:0 35,289 36.4

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 42,979 41.0 65:0 37,246 36.3

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 45,403 41.0 65:0 39,348 36.3

Scaled high earnings:f

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 24,891 35.5 65:0 23,255 33.8

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 24,745 33.0 65:0 23,124 31.6

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:2 27,252 33.1 65:0 25,122 30.9

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 29,817 34.1 65:0 25,836 30.2

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 31,337 34.0 65:0 27,159 30.1

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 33,110 33.9 65:0 28,694 30.0

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 35,041 33.9 65:0 30,368 30.0

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 37,101 33.9 65:0 32,155 30.1

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 39,227 34.0 65:0 33,999 30.1

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 41,404 34.0 65:0 35,880 30.1

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 43,675 34.0 65:0 37,854 30.1

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 46,045 34.0 65:0 39,903 30.1

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 48,543 34.1 65:0 42,073 30.1

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 51,160 34.0 65:0 44,339 30.1

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 53,957 34.0 65:0 46,763 30.1

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 56,951 34.0 65:0 49,356 30.1

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 60,163 33.9 65:0 52,139 30.1
143

Program Assumptions and Methods

11. Administrative Expenses

The projection of administrative expenses through 2021 depends on historical experience and the expected growth in average wages. Additionally, the

Office of Budget of the Social Security Administration provides estimates

for the first several years of the projection. For years after 2021, projected

administrative expenses increase by increases in the number of beneficiaries

and increases in the average wage, which more than offset assumed improvements in administrative productivity. Legislative simplification of the Social

Security Act could offset these assumed increases.

12.Railroad Retirement Financial Interchange

Federal law covers railroad workers under a separate multi-tiered plan, with

a first tier of coverage similar to OASDI coverage. An annual financial interchange between the Railroad Retirement fund and the OASI and DI Trust

Funds reflects the difference between: (1) the amount of OASDI benefits that

would be paid to railroad workers and their families if railroad employment

had been covered under the OASDI program, plus administrative expenses

Steady maximum earnings:g

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 $29,902 28.7 65:0 $27,762 27.4

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:0 30,115 26.5 65:0 28,002 25.3

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66:2 33,338 26.5 65:0 30,619 24.7

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 36,667 27.3 65:0 31,545 24.0

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 38,600 27.2 65:0 33,207 23.9

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 40,803 27.1 65:0 35,109 23.9

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 43,148 27.1 65:0 37,128 23.9

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 45,697 27.1 65:0 39,333 23.9

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 48,251 27.2 65:0 41,532 24.0

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 50,820 27.3 65:0 43,747 24.0

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 53,607 27.3 65:0 46,145 24.0

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 56,521 27.3 65:0 48,653 24.0

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 59,582 27.3 65:0 51,290 24.0

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 62,798 27.3 65:0 54,056 24.0

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 66,237 27.3 65:0 57,017 24.0

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 69,911 27.3 65:0 60,179 24.0

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67:0 73,854 27.2 65:0 63,572 24.0

a Annual amounts are the total for the 12-month period starting with the month of retirement.

b Attains age 65 on January 1 of the year.

c CPI-indexed dollar adjustment uses the adjusted CPI indexing series shown in table VI.F6.

d Career-average earnings at about 45 percent of the national average wage index (AWI).

e Career-average earnings at about 100 percent of the AWI.

f Career-average earnings at about 160 percent of the AWI.

g Earnings for each year at or above the contribution and benefit base.

Table V.C7.—Annual Scheduled Benefit Amountsa for Retired Workers

With Various Pre-Retirement Earnings Patterns

Based on Intermediate Assumptions, Calendar Years 2012-90 (Cont.) 

Year attain age 65b

Retirement at normal retirement age Retirement at age 65

Age at

retirement

CPI-indexed

2012

dollars c Percent of

earnings

Age at

retirement

CPI-indexed

2012

dollarsc Percent ofearnings
Assumptions and Methods

144

associated with these benefits; and (2) the amount of OASDI payroll tax and

income tax that would be received with allowances for interest from railroad

workers.

Calculation of the financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement

depends on trends similar to those used in estimating the cost of OASDI benefits. The annual short-range cost is about $4-5 billion and the long-range

summarized cost is 0.03 percent of taxable payroll.

13.Military Service Transfers

Beginning in 1966, the General Fund of the Treasury reimbursed the OASI

and DI Trust Funds annually for the cost (including administrative expenses)

of providing additional benefit payments resulting from noncontributory

wage credits for military service performed prior to 1957. The 1983 amendments modified the reimbursement mechanism and the timing of the reimbursements, and required a reimbursement in 1983 to include all future costs

attributable to the wage credits. The amendments also require adjustments to

that 1983 reimbursement every fifth year, beginning with 1985, to account

for actual data.
145

History of Trust Fund Operations

VI. APPENDICES

A. HISTORY OF OASI AND DI TRUST FUND OPERATIONS

The Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund was established on January 1, 1940 as a separate account in the United States Treasury.

The Federal Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund, another separate account

in the United States Treasury, was established on August 1, 1956. These

funds conduct the financial operations of the OASI and DI programs. The

Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of

these funds. The following paragraphs describe the various components of

trust fund income and outgo. Following this description, tables VI.A1 and

VI.A2 present the historical operations of the separate trust funds since their

inception, and table VI.A3 presents the operations of the combined trust

funds during the period when they have co-existed.

The primary receipts of these two funds are amounts appropriated under permanent authority on the basis of payroll tax contributions. Federal law

requires that all employees who work in OASDI covered employment, and

their employers, make payroll tax contributions on their wages. Employees

and their employers must also make payroll tax contributions on monthly

cash tips if such tips are at least $20. Self-employed persons must make payroll tax contributions on their covered net earnings from self-employment.

The Federal Government pays amounts equivalent to the combined employer

and employee contributions that would be paid on deemed wage credits

attributable to military service performed between 1957 and 2001, if such

wage credits were covered wages.

Income also includes various reimbursements from the General Fund of the

Treasury, such as: (1) the cost of noncontributory wage credits for military

service before 1957, and periodic adjustments to previous determinations of

this cost; (2) the cost in 1971-82 of deemed wage credits for military service

performed after 1956; (3) the cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons

who attained age 72 before 1968; (4) the cost of payroll tax credits provided

to employees in 1984 and self-employed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law

98-21; (5) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain self-employment earnings

from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (6) payroll tax revenue

forgone under the provisions of Public Laws 111-147 and 111-312.

Beginning in 1984, Federal law subjected up to 50 percent of an individual’s

or couple’s OASDI benefits to Federal income taxation under certain circumstances. Effective for taxable years beginning after 1993, the law increased

the maximum percentage from 50 percent to 85 percent. Treasury credits the

proceeds from this taxation of up to 50 percent of benefits to the OASI and

DI Trust Funds in advance, on an estimated basis, at the beginning of each
Appendices

146

calendar quarter, with no reimbursement to the general fund for interest costs

attributable to the advance transfers.1 Treasury makes subsequent adjustments based on the actual amounts shown on annual income tax records.

Each of the OASI and DI Trust Funds receives the income taxes paid on the

benefits from that trust fund.2

Another source of income to the trust funds is interest received on investments held by the trust funds. On a daily basis, Treasury invests trust fund

income not required to meet current operating expenses, primarily in interest-bearing obligations of the U.S. Government. These investments include

the special public-debt obligations described in the next paragraph. The

Social Security Act also authorizes the trust funds to hold obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. The act therefore permits the trust funds to hold certain Federally sponsored agency

obligations and marketable obligations.3 The trust funds may acquire any of

these obligations on original issue at the issue price or by purchase of outstanding obligations at their market price.

The Social Security Act authorizes the issuance of special public-debt obligations for purchase exclusively by the trust funds. The act provides that the

interest rate for special obligations newly issued in any month is the average

market yield, as of the last business day of the prior month, on all of the outstanding marketable U.S. obligations that are due or callable more than 4

years in the future. This rate is rounded to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Beginning January 1999, in calculating the average market yield rate

for this purpose, the Treasury incorporates the yield to the call date when a

callable bond’s market price is above par.

Although the Social Security Act does not authorize the purchase or sale of

special issues in the open market, the Treasury may redeem them at any time

at par value. In practice, the Treasury redeems special issues prior to maturity only when needed to meet current operating expenses. Given this separation from market-based valuations, changes in market yield rates do not

cause fluctuations in principal value. As is true for marketable Treasury

securities held by the public, the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

backs all of the investments held by the trust funds.

 1 The HI Trust Fund receives the additional tax revenue resulting from the increase to 85 percent.

 2 A special provision applies to benefits paid to nonresident aliens. Effective for taxable years beginning

after 1994, Public Law 103-465 subjects benefits to a flat-rate tax, usually 25.5 percent, before they are

paid. Therefore, this tax remains in the trust funds. From 1984 to 1994, the flat-rate tax was usually

15 percent.

 3 The Social Security Act requires the trust funds to acquire special-issue obligations unless the Managing

Trustee determines that the purchase of marketable obligations is in the public interest. The purchase of marketable obligations has been quite limited and has not occurred since 1980.
147

History of Trust Fund Operations

The primary expenditures of the OASI and DI Trust Funds are: (1) OASDI

benefit payments, net of any reimbursements from the General Fund of the

Treasury for unnegotiated benefit checks; and (2) expenses incurred by the

Social Security Administration and the Department of the Treasury in administering the OASDI program and the provisions of the Internal Revenue

Code relating to the collection of contributions. Such administrative

expenses include expenditures for construction, rental and lease, or purchase

of office buildings and related facilities for the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Act prohibits expenditures from the OASI and DI

Trust Funds for any purpose not related to the payment of benefits or administrative costs for the OASDI program. 

The expenditures of the trust funds also include: (1) the costs of vocational

rehabilitation services furnished to disabled persons receiving cash benefits

because of their disabilities, where such services contributed to their successful rehabilitation; and (2) net costs of the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Act that provide for a system of coordination and financial interchange

between the Railroad Retirement program and the Social Security program.

Under the financial interchange provisions, the Railroad Retirement program’s Social Security Equivalent Benefit Account and the trust funds interchange amounts on an annual basis so that each trust fund is in the same

position it would have been had railroad employment always been covered

under Social Security.

The statements of the operations of the trust funds in this report do not

include the net worth of facilities and other fixed capital assets because the

value of fixed capital assets is not available in the form of a financial asset

redeemable for the payment of benefits or administrative expenditures. As a

result of this unavailability, the actuarial status of the trust funds does not

take these assets into account.
Appendices

148

Table VI.A1.— Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 1937-2011

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsa

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interestb Total

Benefit

payments c

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiod

1937e . $0.8 $0.8 — — ff f — — $0.8 $0.8 —

1938e . .4 .4 — — ff f — — .4 1.1 7,660

1939e . .6 .6 — — ff f — — .6 1.7 8,086

1940 . . .4 .3 — — f $0.1 f f — .3 2.0 2,781

1941 . . .8 .8 — — $0.1 .1 $0.1 f — .7 2.8 1,782

1942 . . 1.1 1.0 — — .1 .2 .1 f — .9 3.7 1,737

1943 . . 1.3 1.2 — — .1 .2 .2 f — 1.1 4.8 1,891

1944 . . 1.4 1.3 — — .1 .2 .2 f — 1.2 6.0 2,025

1945 . . 1.4 1.3 — — .1 .3 .3 f — 1.1 7.1 1,975

1946 . . 1.4 1.3 — — .2 .4 .4 f — 1.0 8.2 1,704

1947 . . 1.7 1.6 f — .2 .5 .5 f — 1.2 9.4 1,592

1948 . . 2.0 1.7 f — .3 .6 .6 $0.1 — 1.4 10.7 1,542

1949 . . 1.8 1.7 f — .1 .7 .7 .1 — 1.1 11.8 1,487

1950 . . 2.9 2.7 f — .3 1.0 1.0 .1 — 1.9 13.7 1,156

1951 . . 3.8 3.4 f — .4 2.0 1.9 .1 — 1.8 15.5 698

1952 . . 4.2 3.8 — — .4 2.3 2.2 .1 — 1.9 17.4 681

1953 . . 4.4 3.9 — — .4 3.1 3.0 .1 — 1.3 18.7 564

1954 . . 5.6 5.2 — — .4 3.7 3.7 .1 f 1.9 20.6 500

1955 . . 6.2 5.7 — — .5 5.1 5.0 .1 f 1.1 21.7 405

1956 . . 6.7 6.2 — — .5 5.8 5.7 .1 f .9 22.5 371

1957 . . 7.4 6.8 — — .6 7.5 7.3 .2 f -.1 22.4 300

1958 . . 8.1 7.6 — — .6 8.6 8.3 .2 $0.1 -.5 21.9 259

1959 . . 8.6 8.1 — — .5 10.3 9.8 .2 .3 -1.7 20.1 212

1960 . . 11.4 10.9 — — .5 11.2 10.7 .2 .3 .2 20.3 180

1961 . . 11.8 11.3 — — .5 12.4 11.9 .2 .3 -.6 19.7 163

1962 . . 12.6 12.1 — — .5 14.0 13.4 .3 .4 -1.4 18.3 141

1963 . . 15.1 14.5 — — .5 14.9 14.2 .3 .4 .1 18.5 123

1964 . . 16.3 15.7 — — .6 15.6 14.9 .3 .4 .6 19.1 118

1965 . . 16.6 16.0 — — .6 17.5 16.7 .3 .4 -.9 18.2 109

1966 . . 21.3 20.6 $0.1 — .6 19.0 18.3 .3 .4 2.3 20.6 96

1967 . . 24.0 23.1 .1 — .8 20.4 19.5 .4 .5 3.7 24.2 101

1968 . . 25.0 23.7 .4 — .9 23.6 22.6 .5 .4 1.5 25.7 103

1969 . . 29.6 27.9 .4 — 1.2 25.2 24.2 .5 .5 4.4 30.1 102

1970 . . 32.2 30.3 .4 — 1.5 29.8 28.8 .5 .6 2.4 32.5 101

1971 . . 35.9 33.7 .5 — 1.7 34.5 33.4 .5 .6 1.3 33.8 94

1972 . . 40.1 37.8 .5 — 1.8 38.5 37.1 .7 .7 1.5 35.3 88

1973 . . 48.3 46.0 .4 — 1.9 47.2 45.7 .6 .8 1.2 36.5 75

1974 . . 54.7 52.1 .4 — 2.2 53.4 51.6 .9 .9 1.3 37.8 68

1975 . . 59.6 56.8 .4 — 2.4 60.4 58.5 .9 1.0 -.8 37.0 63

1976 . . 66.3 63.4 .6 — 2.3 67.9 65.7 1.0 1.2 -1.6 35.4 54

1977 . . 72.4 69.6 .6 — 2.2 75.3 73.1 1.0 1.2 -2.9 32.5 47

1978 . . 78.1 75.5 .6 — 2.0 83.1 80.4 1.1 1.6 -5.0 27.5 39

1979 . . 90.3 87.9 .6 — 1.8 93.1 90.6 1.1 1.4 -2.9 24.7 30

1980 . . 105.8 103.5 .5 — 1.8 107.7 105.1 1.2 1.4 -1.8 22.8 23

1981 . . 125.4 122.6 .7 — 2.1 126.7 123.8 1.3 1.6 -1.3 21.5 18

1982 . . 125.2 123.7 .7 — .8 142.1 138.8 1.5 1.8 g .6 22.1 15

1983 . . 150.6 138.3 5.5 — 6.7 153.0 149.2 1.5 2.3 -2.4 19.7 14

1984 . . 169.3 159.5 4.7 $2.8 2.3 161.9 157.8 1.6 2.4 7.4 27.1 20
149

History of Trust Fund Operations

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

1985 . . $184.2 $175.1 $4.0 $3.2 $1.9 $171.2 $167.2 $1.6 $2.3 g$8.7 $35.8 24

1986 . . 197.4 189.1 1.8 3.4 3.1 181.0 176.8 1.6 2.6 g3.2 39.1 28

1987 . . 210.7 201.1 1.7 3.3 4.7 187.7 183.6 1.5 2.6 23.1 62.1 30

1988 . . 240.8 227.7 2.1 3.4 7.6 200.0 195.5 1.8 2.8 40.8 102.9 41

1989 . . 264.7 248.1 2.1 2.4 12.0 212.5 208.0 1.7 2.8 52.2 155.1 59

1990 . . 286.7 266.1 -.7 4.8 16.4 227.5 223.0 1.6 3.0 59.1 214.2 78

1991 . . 299.3 272.5 .1 5.9 20.8 245.6 240.5 1.8 3.4 53.7 267.8 87

1992 . . 311.2 281.1 -.1 5.9 24.3 259.9 254.9 1.8 3.1 51.3 319.2 103

1993 . . 323.3 290.9 f 5.3 27.0 273.1 267.8 2.0 3.4 50.2 369.3 117

1994 . . 328.3 293.3 f 5.0 29.9 284.1 279.1 1.6 3.4 44.1 413.5 130

1995 . . 342.8 304.7 -.2 5.5 32.8 297.8 291.6 2.1 4.1 45.0 458.5 139

1996 . . 363.7 321.6 f 6.5 35.7 308.2 302.9 1.8 3.6 55.5 514.0 149

1997 . . 397.2 349.9 f 7.4 39.8 322.1 316.3 2.1 3.7 75.1 589.1 160

1998 . . 424.8 371.2 f 9.1 44.5 332.3 326.8 1.9 3.7 92.5 681.6 177

1999 . . 457.0 396.4 f 10.9 49.8 339.9 334.4 1.8 3.7 117.2 798.8 201

2000 . . 490.5 421.4 f 11.6 57.5 358.3 352.7 2.1 3.5 132.2 931.0 223

2001 . . 518.1 441.5 f 11.9 64.7 377.5 372.3 2.0 3.3 140.6 1,071.5 247

2002 . . 539.7 455.2 .4 12.9 71.2 393.7 388.1 2.1 3.5 146.0 1,217.5 272

2003 . . 543.8 456.1 f 12.5 75.2 406.0 399.8 2.6 3.6 137.8 1,355.3 300

2004 . . 566.3 472.8 f 14.6 79.0 421.0 415.0 2.4 3.6 145.3 1,500.6 322

2005 . . 604.3 506.9 -.3 13.8 84.0 441.9 435.4 3.0 3.6 162.4 1,663.0 340

2006 . . 642.2 534.8 f 15.6 91.8 461.0 454.5 3.0 3.5 181.3 1,844.3 361

2007 . . 675.0 560.9 f 17.2 97.0 495.7 489.1 3.1 3.6 179.3 2,023.6 372

2008 . . 695.5 574.6 f 15.6 105.3 516.2 509.3 3.2 3.6 179.3 2,202.9 392

2009 . . 698.2 570.4 f 19.9 107.9 564.3 557.2 3.4 3.7 133.9 2,336.8 390

2010 . . 677.1 544.8 2.0 22.1 108.2 584.9 577.4 3.5 3.9 92.2 2,429.0 400

2011 . . 698.8 482.4 87.8 22.2 106.5 603.8 596.2 3.5 4.1 95.0 2,524.1 402

a Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI Trust Fund for: (1) the cost of

noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost in 1971-82 of deemed wage credits

for military service performed after 1956; (3) the cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons who attained age

72 before 1968; (4) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in 1984 and self-employed persons in

1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (5) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain self-employment earnings from

SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (6) payroll tax revenue forgone under the provisions of Public

Laws 111-147 and 111-312.

b Net interest includes net profits or losses on marketable investments. Beginning in 1967, the trust fund pays

administrative expenses on an estimated basis, with a final adjustment including interest made in the following

fiscal year. Net interest includes the amounts of these interest adjustments. The 1970 report describes the

accounting for administrative expenses for years prior to 1967. Beginning in October 1973, figures include relatively small amounts of gifts to the fund. Net interest for 1983-86 reflects payments for interest on amounts

owed under the interfund borrowing provisions. During 1983-90, net interest reflects interest reimbursements

paid from the trust fund to the general fund on advance tax transfers.

c Beginning in 1966, includes payments for vocational rehabilitation services furnished to disabled persons

receiving benefits because of their disabilities. Beginning in 1983, net benefit amounts include reimbursements

paid from the general fund to the trust fund for unnegotiated benefit checks.

d The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year as a percentage of expenditures during the year. The table shows no ratio for 1937 because no assets existed at the beginning of the year. For years

1984-90, assets at the beginning of a year include January advance tax transfers. 

e Operations prior to 1940 are for the Old-Age Reserve Account established by the original Social Security Act.

The 1939 Amendments transferred the assets of the Account to the OASI Trust Fund effective January 1, 1940.

f Between -$50 million and $50 million.

g Reflects interfund borrowing and subsequent repayment of loans. The OASI Trust Fund borrowed

$17.5 billion from the DI and HI Trust Funds in 1982 and repaid the loans in 1985 ($4.4 billion) and 1986

($13.2 billion).

Table VI.A1.— Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 1937-2011 (Cont.)

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsa

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interestb Total

Benefit

payments c

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiod
Appendices

150

Table VI.A2.— Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 1957-2011

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursements a

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interestb Total

Benefit

paymentsc

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiod

1957 . . $0.7 $0.7 — — e $0.1 $0.1 e — $0.6 $0.6 —

1958 . . 1.0 1.0 — — e .3 .2 e — .7 1.4 249

1959 . . .9 .9 — — e .5 .5 $0.1 e .4 1.8 284

1960 . . 1.1 1.0 — — $0.1 .6 .6 e e .5 2.3 304

1961 . . 1.1 1.0 — — .1 1.0 .9 .1 e .1 2.4 239

1962 . . 1.1 1.0 — — .1 1.2 1.1 .1 e -.1 2.4 206

1963 . . 1.2 1.1 — — .1 1.3 1.2 .1 e -.1 2.2 183

1964 . . 1.2 1.2 — — .1 1.4 1.3 .1 e -.2 2.0 159

1965 . . 1.2 1.2 — — .1 1.7 1.6 .1 e -.4 1.6 121

1966 . . 2.1 2.0 e — .1 1.9 1.8 .1 e .1 1.7 82

1967 . . 2.4 2.3 e — .1 2.1 2.0 .1 e .3 2.0 83

1968 . . 3.5 3.3 e — .1 2.5 2.3 .1 e 1.0 3.0 83

1969 . . 3.8 3.6 e — .2 2.7 2.6 .1 e 1.1 4.1 111

1970 . . 4.8 4.5 e — .3 3.3 3.1 .2 e 1.5 5.6 126

1971 . . 5.0 4.6 $0.1 — .4 4.0 3.8 .2 e 1.0 6.6 140

1972 . . 5.6 5.1 .1 — .4 4.8 4.5 .2 e .8 7.5 140

1973 . . 6.4 5.9 .1 — .5 6.0 5.8 .2 e .5 7.9 125

1974 . . 7.4 6.8 .1 — .5 7.2 7.0 .2 e .2 8.1 110

1975 . . 8.0 7.4 .1 — .5 8.8 8.5 .3 e -.8 7.4 92

1976 . . 8.8 8.2 .1 — .4 10.4 10.1 .3 e -1.6 5.7 71

1977 . . 9.6 9.1 .1 — .3 11.9 11.5 .4 e -2.4 3.4 48

1978 . . 13.8 13.4 .1 — .3 13.0 12.6 .3 e .9 4.2 26

1979 . . 15.6 15.1 .1 — .4 14.2 13.8 .4 e 1.4 5.6 30

1980 . . 13.9 13.3 .1 — .5 15.9 15.5 .4 e -2.0 3.6 35

1981 . . 17.1 16.7 .2 — .2 17.7 17.2 .4 e -.6 3.0 21

1982 . . 22.7 22.0 .2 — .5 18.0 17.4 .6 e f -.4 2.7 17

1983 . . 20.7 18.0 1.1 — 1.6 18.2 17.5 .6 e 2.5 5.2 15

1984 . . 17.3 15.5 .4 $0.2 1.2 18.5 17.9 .6 e -1.2 4.0 35

1985 . . 19.3 17.0 1.2 .2 .9 19.5 18.8 .6 e f2.4 6.3 27

1986 . . 19.4 18.2 .2 .2 .8 20.5 19.9 .6 $0.1 f1.5 7.8 38

1987 . . 20.3 19.5 .2 e .6 21.4 20.5 .8 .1 -1.1 6.7 44

1988 . . 22.7 21.8 .2 .1 .6 22.5 21.7 .7 .1 .2 6.9 38

1989 . . 24.8 23.8 .2 .1 .7 23.8 22.9 .8 .1 1.0 7.9 38

1990 . . 28.8 28.4 -.6 .1 .9 25.6 24.8 .7 .1 3.2 11.1 40

1991 . . 30.4 29.1 e .2 1.1 28.6 27.7 .8 .1 1.8 12.9 39

1992 . . 31.4 30.1 e .2 1.1 32.0 31.1 .8 .1 -.6 12.3 40

1993 . . 32.3 31.2 e .3 .8 35.7 34.6 1.0 .1 -3.4 9.0 35

1994 . . 52.8 51.4 e .3 1.2 38.9 37.7 1.0 .1 14.0 22.9 23

1995 . . 56.7 54.4 -.2 .3 2.2 42.1 40.9 1.1 .1 14.6 37.6 55

1996 . . 60.7 57.3 e .4 3.0 45.4 44.2 1.2 e 15.4 52.9 83

1997 . . 60.5 56.0 e .5 4.0 47.0 45.7 1.3 .1 13.5 66.4 113

1998 . . 64.4 59.0 e .6 4.8 49.9 48.2 1.6 .2 14.4 80.8 133

1999 . . 69.5 63.2 e .7 5.7 53.0 51.4 1.5 .1 16.5 97.3 152

2000 . . 77.9 71.1 -.8 .7 6.9 56.8 55.0 1.6 .2 21.1 118.5 171

2001 . . 83.9 74.9 e .8 8.2 61.4 59.6 1.7 e 22.5 141.0 193

2002 . . 87.4 77.3 e .9 9.2 67.9 65.7 2.0 .2 19.5 160.5 208

2003 . . 88.1 77.4 e .9 9.7 73.1 70.9 2.0 .2 15.0 175.4 219

2004 . . 91.4 80.3 e 1.1 10.0 80.6 78.2 2.2 .2 10.8 186.2 218
151

History of Trust Fund Operations

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

2005. . . $97.4 $86.1 e $1.1 $10.3 $88.0 $85.4 $2.3 $0.3 $9.4 $195.6 212

2006. . . 102.6 90.8 e 1.2 10.6 94.5 91.7 2.3 .4 8.2 203.8 207

2007. . . 109.9 95.2 e 1.4 13.2 98.8 95.9 2.5 .4 11.1 214.9 206

2008. . . 109.8 97.6 e 1.3 11.0 109.0 106.0 2.5 .4 .9 215.8 197

2009. . . 109.3 96.9 e 2.0 10.5 121.5 118.3 2.7 .4 -12.2 203.5 178

2010. . . 104.0 92.5 $0.4 1.9 9.3 127.7 124.2 3.0 .5 -23.6 179.9 159

2011. . . 106.3 81.9 14.9 1.6 7.9 132.3 128.9 2.9 .5 -26.1 153.9 136

a Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the DI Trust Fund for: (1) the cost of noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost in 1971-82 of deemed wage credits for

military service performed after 1956; (3) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in 1984 and selfemployed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (4) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain self-employment earnings from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (5) payroll tax revenue forgone under the provisions of Public Laws 111-147 and 111-312.

b Net interest includes net profits or losses on marketable investments. Beginning in 1967, the trust fund pays

administrative expenses on an estimated basis, with a final adjustment including interest made in the following

fiscal year. Net interest includes the amounts of these interest adjustments. The 1970 report describes the

accounting for administrative expenses for years prior to 1967. Beginning in July 1974, figures include relatively small amounts of gifts to the fund. Net interest for 1983-86 reflects payments for interest on amounts

owed under the interfund borrowing provisions. During 1983-90, net interest reflects interest reimbursements

paid from the trust fund to the general fund on advance tax transfers.

c Beginning in 1966, includes payments for vocational rehabilitation services furnished to disabled persons

receiving benefits because of their disabilities. Beginning in 1983, net benefit amounts include reimbursements

paid from the general fund to the trust fund for unnegotiated benefit checks.

d The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year as a percentage of expenditures during the year. The table shows no ratio for 1957 because no assets existed at the beginning of the year. For years

1984-90, assets at the beginning of a year include January advance tax transfers.

e Between -$50 million and $50 million.

f Reflects interfund borrowing and subsequent repayment of loans. The DI Trust Fund loaned $5.1 billion to the

OASI Trust Fund in 1982. The OASI Trust Fund repaid the loan in 1985 ($2.5 billion) and 1986 ($2.5 billion).

Table VI.A2.— Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 1957-2011 (Cont.)

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsa

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interestb Total

Benefit

payments c

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiod
Appendices

152

Table VI.A3.— Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

Calendar Years 1957-2011

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsaTaxation of

benefits

Net

interestb Total

Benefit

payments c

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiod

1957 . . $8.1 $7.5 — — $0.6 $7.6 $7.4 $0.2 e $0.5 $23.0 298

1958 9.1 8.5 — — .6 8.9 8.6 .2 $0.1 .2 23.2 259

1959 . . 9.5 8.9 — — .6 10.8 10.3 .2 .3 -1.3 22.0 215

1960 . . 12.4 11.9 — — .6 11.8 11.2 .2 .3 .6 22.6 186

1961 . . 12.9 12.3 — — .6 13.4 12.7 .3 .3 -.5 22.2 169

1962 . . 13.7 13.1 — — .6 15.2 14.5 .3 .4 -1.5 20.7 146

1963 . . 16.2 15.6 — — .6 16.2 15.4 .3 .4 e 20.7 128

1964 . . 17.5 16.8 — — .6 17.0 16.2 .4 .4 .5 21.2 122

1965 . . 17.9 17.2 — — .7 19.2 18.3 .4 .5 -1.3 19.8 110

1966 . . 23.4 22.6 $0.1 — .7 20.9 20.1 .4 .5 2.5 22.3 95

1967 . . 26.4 25.4 .1 — .9 22.5 21.4 .5 .5 3.9 26.3 99

1968 . . 28.5 27.0 .4 — 1.0 26.0 25.0 .6 .5 2.5 28.7 101

1969 . . 33.3 31.5 .5 — 1.3 27.9 26.8 .6 .5 5.5 34.2 103

1970 . . 37.0 34.7 .5 — 1.8 33.1 31.9 .6 .6 3.9 38.1 103

1971 . . 40.9 38.3 .5 — 2.0 38.5 37.2 .7 .6 2.4 40.4 99

1972 . . 45.6 42.9 .5 — 2.2 43.3 41.6 .9 .7 2.3 42.8 93

1973 . . 54.8 51.9 .5 — 2.4 53.1 51.5 .8 .8 1.6 44.4 80

1974 . . 62.1 58.9 .5 — 2.7 60.6 58.6 1.1 .9 1.5 45.9 73

1975 . . 67.6 64.3 .5 — 2.9 69.2 67.0 1.2 1.0 -1.5 44.3 66

1976 . . 75.0 71.6 .7 — 2.7 78.2 75.8 1.2 1.2 -3.2 41.1 57

1977 . . 82.0 78.7 .7 — 2.5 87.3 84.7 1.4 1.2 -5.3 35.9 47

1978 . . 91.9 88.9 .8 — 2.3 96.0 93.0 1.4 1.6 -4.1 31.7 37

1979 . . 105.9 103.0 .7 — 2.2 107.3 104.4 1.5 1.5 -1.5 30.3 30

1980 . . 119.7 116.7 .7 — 2.3 123.6 120.6 1.5 1.4 -3.8 26.5 25

1981 . . 142.4 139.4 .8 — 2.2 144.4 141.0 1.7 1.6 -1.9 24.5 18

1982 . . 147.9 145.7 .9 — 1.4 160.1 156.2 2.1 1.8 f

 .2 24.8 15

1983 . . 171.3 156.3 6.7 — 8.3 171.2 166.7 2.2 2.3 .1 24.9 14

1984 . . 186.6 175.0 5.2 $3.0 3.4 180.4 175.7 2.3 2.4 6.2 31.1 21

1985 . . 203.5 192.1 5.2 3.4 2.7 190.6 186.1 2.2 2.4 f11.1 42.2 24

1986 . . 216.8 207.4 1.9 3.7 3.9 201.5 196.7 2.2 2.7 f

 4.7 46.9 29

1987 . . 231.0 220.6 1.9 3.2 5.3 209.1 204.1 2.4 2.6 21.9 68.8 31

1988 . . 263.5 249.5 2.3 3.4 8.2 222.5 217.1 2.5 2.9 41.0 109.8 41

1989 . . 289.4 271.9 2.3 2.5 12.7 236.2 230.9 2.4 2.9 53.2 163.0 57

1990 . . 315.4 294.5 -1.3 5.0 17.2 253.1 247.8 2.3 3.0 62.3 225.3 75

1991 . . 329.7 301.6 .1 6.1 21.9 274.2 268.2 2.6 3.5 55.5 280.7 82

1992 . . 342.6 311.3 -.1 6.1 25.4 291.9 286.0 2.7 3.2 50.7 331.5 96

1993 . . 355.6 322.0 .1 5.6 27.9 308.8 302.4 3.0 3.4 46.8 378.3 107

1994 . . 381.1 344.7 e 5.3 31.1 323.0 316.8 2.7 3.5 58.1 436.4 117

1995 . . 399.5 359.1 -.4 5.8 35.0 339.8 332.6 3.1 4.1 59.7 496.1 128

1996 . . 424.5 378.9 e 6.8 38.7 353.6 347.1 3.0 3.6 70.9 567.0 140

1997 . . 457.7 406.0 e 7.9 43.8 369.1 362.0 3.4 3.7 88.6 655.5 154

1998 . . 489.2 430.2 e 9.7 49.3 382.3 375.0 3.5 3.8 107.0 762.5 171

1999 . . 526.6 459.6 e 11.6 55.5 392.9 385.8 3.3 3.8 133.7 896.1 194

2000 . . 568.4 492.5 -.8 12.3 64.5 415.1 407.6 3.8 3.7 153.3 1,049.4 216

2001 . . 602.0 516.4 e 12.7 72.9 438.9 431.9 3.7 3.3 163.1 1,212.5 239

2002 . . 627.1 532.5 .4 13.8 80.4 461.7 453.8 4.2 3.6 165.4 1,378.0 263

2003 . . 631.9 533.5 e 13.4 84.9 479.1 470.8 4.6 3.7 152.8 1,530.8 288

2004 . . 657.7 553.0 e 15.7 89.0 501.6 493.3 4.5 3.8 156.1 1,686.8 305
153

History of Trust Fund Operations

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Tables VI.A4 and VI.A5 show the total assets of the OASI Trust Fund and

the DI Trust Fund, respectively, at the end of calendar years 2010 and 2011.

The tables show assets by interest rate and year of maturity. Bonds issued to

the trust funds in 2011 had an interest rate of 2.5 percent, compared with an

interest rate of 2.875 percent for bonds issued in 2010.

2005 . . $701.8 $592.9 -$0.3 $14.9 $94.3 $529.9 $520.7 $5.3 $3.9 $171.8 $1,858.7 318

2006 . . 744.9 625.6 e 16.9 102.4 555.4 546.2 5.3 3.8 189.5 2,048.1 335

2007 . . 784.9 656.1 e 18.6 110.2 594.5 584.9 5.5 4.0 190.4 2,238.5 345

2008 . . 805.3 672.1 e 16.9 116.3 625.1 615.3 5.7 4.0 180.2 2,418.7 358

2009 . . 807.5 667.3 e 21.9 118.3 685.8 675.5 6.2 4.1 121.7 2,540.3 353

2010 . . 781.1 637.3 2.4 23.9 117.5 712.5 701.6 6.5 4.4 68.6 2,609.0 357

2011 . . 805.1 564.2 102.7 23.8 114.4 736.1 725.1 6.4 4.6 69.0 2,677.9 354

a Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI and DI Trust Funds for: (1) the

cost of noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost in 1971-82 of deemed wage

credits for military service performed after 1956; (3) the cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons who

attained age 72 before 1968; (4) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in 1984 and self-employed

persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (5) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain self-employment earnings

from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (6) payroll tax revenue forgone under the provisions of Public

Laws 111-147 and 111-312.

b Net interest includes net profits or losses on marketable investments. Beginning in 1967, the trust funds pay

administrative expenses on an estimated basis, with a final adjustment including interest made in the following

fiscal year. Net interest includes the amounts of these interest adjustments. The 1970 report describes the

accounting for administrative expenses for years prior to 1967. Beginning in October 1973, figures include relatively small amounts of gifts to the funds. Net interest for 1983-86 reflects payments for interest on amounts

owed under the interfund borrowing provisions. During 1983-90, net interest reflects interest reimbursements

paid from the trust funds to the general fund on advance tax transfers.

c Beginning in 1966, includes payments for vocational rehabilitation services furnished to disabled persons

receiving benefits because of their disabilities. Beginning in 1983, net benefit amounts include reimbursements

paid from the general fund to the trust funds for unnegotiated benefit checks.

d The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year as a percentage of expenditures during the year. For years 1984-90, assets at the beginning of a year include January advance tax transfers.

e Between -$50 million and $50 million.

f Reflects interfund borrowing and subsequent repayment of loans. The OASI trust fund borrowed $12.4 billion

from the HI Trust Fund in 1982 and repaid the loan in 1985 ($1.8 billion) and 1986 ($10.6 billion).

Table VI.A3.— Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

Calendar Years 1957-2011 (Cont.)

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Calendar

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsa

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interestb Total

Benefit

paymentsc

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiod
Appendices

154

Note: Amounts of special issues are at par value. The trust fund always purchases and redeems special issues

at par value. The table groups equal amounts that mature in two or more years at a given interest rate. A negative undisbursed balance represents an extension of credit against securities to be redeemed within the following few days.

Table VI.A4.—Assets of the OASI Trust Fund, End of Calendar Years 2010 and 2011

[In thousands]

December 31, 2010 December 31, 2011

Obligations sold only to the trust funds (special issues): 

Certificates of indebtedness:

 1.750 percent, 2012 — $63,015,398

 2.375 percent, 2011 $69,480,186 —

Bonds:

 2.500 percent, 2013-16 — 23,887,152

 2.500 percent, 2017-25 — 53,746,083

 2.500 percent, 2026 — 166,547,382

 2.875 percent, 2012 7,264,431 —

 2.875 percent, 2013-15 21,793,293 21,793,293

 2.875 percent, 2016-24 65,379,888 65,379,888

 2.875 percent, 2025 160,575,595 160,575,595

 3.250 percent, 2012 10,628,270 —

 3.250 percent, 2013-15 31,884,813 31,884,813

 3.250 percent, 2016-23 85,026,160 85,026,160

 3.250 percent, 2024 153,311,163 153,311,163

 3.500 percent, 2012 9,513,751 —

 3.500 percent, 2013-15 28,541,253 28,541,253

 3.500 percent, 2016-17 19,027,504 19,027,504

 3.500 percent, 2018 86,900,994 86,900,994

 4.000 percent, 2012 12,075,193 9,125,781

 4.000 percent, 2013-22 120,751,920 120,751,920

 4.000 percent, 2023 142,682,893 142,682,893

 4.125 percent, 2011 1,398,449 —

 4.125 percent, 2012-19 84,135,568 84,135,568

 4.125 percent, 2020 106,585,700 106,585,700

 4.625 percent, 2011 9,167,664 —

 4.625 percent, 2012-15 36,670,656 36,670,656

 4.625 percent, 2016-18 27,502,989 27,502,989

 4.625 percent, 2019 96,068,657 96,068,657

 5.000 percent, 2011 12,454,233 —

 5.000 percent, 2012-21 124,542,320 124,542,320

 5.000 percent, 2022 130,607,701 130,607,701

 5.125 percent, 2011 11,567,866 —

 5.125 percent, 2012-19 92,542,928 92,542,928

 5.125 percent, 2020 11,567,769 11,567,769

 5.125 percent, 2021 118,153,469 118,153,469

 5.250 percent, 2011 9,235,912 —

 5.250 percent, 2012-15 36,943,648 36,943,648

 5.250 percent, 2016 9,235,911 9,235,911

 5.250 percent, 2017 77,387,242 77,387,242

 5.625 percent, 2011 9,621,438 —

 5.625 percent, 2012-15 38,485,748 38,485,748

 5.625 percent, 2016 68,151,331 68,151,331

 5.875 percent, 2011 6,169,273 —

 5.875 percent, 2012 6,169,273 6,169,273

 5.875 percent, 2013 43,258,869 43,258,869

 6.000 percent, 2011 6,693,627 —

 6.000 percent, 2012-13 13,387,256 13,387,256

 6.000 percent, 2014 49,952,497 49,952,497

 6.500 percent, 2011 8,577,396 —

 6.500 percent, 2012-14 25,732,188 25,732,188

 6.500 percent, 2015 58,529,893 58,529,893

 6.875 percent, 2011 3,975,272 —

 6.875 percent, 2012 37,089,596 37,089,596

 7.000 percent, 2011 33,114,324 —

Total investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,429,513,970 2,524,898,481

Undisbursed balances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -470,689 -823,874

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,429,043,281 2,524,074,607
155

History of Trust Fund Operations

Note: Amounts of special issues are at par value. The trust fund always purchases and redeems special issues

at par value. The table groups equal amounts that mature in two or more years at a given interest rate. A negative undisbursed balance represents an extension of credit against securities to be redeemed within the following few days.

Table VI.A5.—Assets of the DI Trust Fund, End of Calendar Years 2010 and 2011

[In thousands]

December 31, 2010 December 31, 2011

Obligations sold only to the trust funds (special issues):

Certificates of indebtedness: 

 1.750 percent, 2012 — $5,575,386

 2.375 percent, 2011 $6,835,145 —

Bonds:

 3.250 percent, 2013 877,560 —

 3.250 percent, 2014 877,560 —

 3.250 percent, 2015-16 1,755,118 1,755,118

 3.250 percent, 2017-20 3,510,240 3,510,240

 3.500 percent, 2013 1,115,127 —

 3.500 percent, 2014 1,115,127 —

 3.500 percent, 2015 1,115,127 1,115,127

 3.500 percent, 2016-17 2,230,256 2,230,256

 3.500 percent, 2018 11,378,384 11,378,384

 4.000 percent, 2013 622,572 —

 4.000 percent, 2014 622,572 —

 4.000 percent, 2015-16 1,245,144 1,245,144

 4.000 percent, 2017-19 1,867,713 1,867,713

 4.000 percent, 2020-22 1,867,716 1,867,716

 4.000 percent, 2023 14,675,554 14,675,554

 4.125 percent, 2013 677,385 —

 4.125 percent, 2014 677,385 —

 4.125 percent, 2015-17 2,032,155 2,032,155

 4.125 percent, 2018-19 1,354,772 1,354,772

 4.125 percent, 2020 12,911,283 12,911,283

 4.625 percent, 2013 855,498 —

 4.625 percent, 2014 855,498 —

 4.625 percent, 2015 855,498 855,498

 4.625 percent, 2016-18 2,566,491 2,566,491

 4.625 percent, 2019 12,233,881 12,233,881

 5.000 percent, 2013 476,586 —

 5.000 percent, 2014 476,586 147,273

 5.000 percent, 2015-19 2,382,930 2,382,930

 5.000 percent, 2020-21 953,168 953,168

 5.000 percent, 2022 14,052,982 14,052,982

 5.125 percent, 2013 665,131 —

 5.125 percent, 2014-17 2,660,524 2,660,524

 5.125 percent, 2018-19 1,330,260 1,330,260

 5.125 percent, 2020 665,115 665,115

 5.125 percent, 2021 13,576,398 13,576,398

 5.250 percent, 2013 1,363,408 —

 5.250 percent, 2014-16 4,090,224 4,090,224

 5.250 percent, 2017 10,263,256 10,263,256

 5.625 percent, 2013 1,524,968 —

 5.625 percent, 2014-15 3,049,934 3,049,934

 5.625 percent, 2016 8,899,848 8,899,848

 5.875 percent, 2013 5,361,805 —

 6.000 percent, 2013 695,967 —

 6.000 percent, 2014 6,057,772 6,057,772

 6.500 percent, 2012 291,007 —

 6.500 percent, 2013 1,317,108 —

 6.500 percent, 2014 1,317,109 1,317,109

 6.500 percent, 2015 7,374,881 7,374,881

 6.875 percent, 2012 4,445,520 —

Total investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180,023,248 153,996,392

Undisbursed balances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -116,407 -146,009

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179,906,841 153,850,383
Appendices

156

B. HISTORY OF ACTUARIAL STATUS ESTIMATES

This appendix chronicles the history of the OASDI actuarial balance and the

year of combined OASI and DI Trust Fund exhaustion since 1982. The actuarial balance is the principal summary measure of long-range actuarial status.

The 1983 report was the last report for which the actuarial balance was positive. Section IV.B.4 defines actuarial balance in detail. The two basic components of actuarial balance are the summarized income rate and the

summarized cost rate, both of which are expressed as percentages of taxable

payroll. For any given period, the actuarial balance is the difference between

the present value of non-interest income for the period and the present value

of the cost for the period, each divided by the present value of taxable payroll

for all years in the period. The computation of the actuarial balance also

includes:

 • The amount of the trust fund balances on hand at the beginning of the

valuation period in the reports for 1988 and later; and

 • The present value of a target trust fund balance equal to 100 percent of

the annual cost to be reached and maintained at the end of the valuation

period in the reports for 1991 and later.

Reports prior to 1973 used the current method of calculating the actuarial

balance based on present values, but the reports of 1973-87 did not. During

that period, the reports used the average-cost method, a simpler method

which approximates the results of the present-value approach. Under the

average-cost method, the sum of the annual cost rates over the 75-year projection period was divided by the total number of years, 75, to obtain the

average cost rate per year. A similar computation produced the average

income rate. The actuarial balance was the difference between the average

income rate and the average cost rate.

When the 1973 report introduced the average-cost method, the long-range

financing of the program was more nearly on a pay-as-you-go basis. Also,

the long-range demographic and economic assumptions in that report produced an annual rate of growth in taxable payroll which was about the same

as the annual rate at which the trust funds earned interest. In either situation

(i.e., pay-as-you-go financing, where the annual income rate is the same as

the annual cost rate, or an annual rate of growth in taxable payroll equal to

the annual interest rate), the average-cost method produces the same result as

the present-value method. However, by 1988, neither of these situations still

existed.
157

History of Actuarial Status

After the 1977 and 1983 Social Security Amendments, estimates showed

substantial increases in the trust funds continuing well into the 21st century.

These laws changed the program’s financing from essentially pay-as-you-go

to partial advance funding. Also, the reports from 1973-87 phased in reductions in long-range fertility rates and average real-wage growth, which produced an annual rate of growth in long-range taxable earnings which was

significantly lower than the assumed interest rate. As a result of the difference between this rate of growth and the assumed interest rate, the results of

the average-cost method and the present-value method in the reports for

1973-87 began to diverge, and by 1988 they were quite different. While the

average-cost method still accounted for most of the effects of the assumed

interest rate, it no longer accounted for all of the interest effects. The presentvalue method, by contrast, accounts for the full effect of the assumed interest

rates. The 1988 report reintroduced the present-value method of calculating

the actuarial balance in order to fully reflect the effects of interest.

A positive actuarial balance indicates that estimated income is more than sufficient to meet estimated trust fund obligations for the period as a whole. A

negative actuarial balance indicates that estimated income is insufficient to

meet estimated trust fund obligations for the entire period. An actuarial balance of zero indicates that the estimated income exactly matches estimated

trust fund obligations for the period.

Table VI.B1 contains the estimated OASDI actuarial balances, summarized

income rates, and summarized cost rates for the 1982 report through the current report. The reports computed these values on the basis of the intermediate assumptions, which recent reports refer to as alternative II and reports

prior to 1991 referred to as alternative II-B.
Appendices

158

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

For several of the years included in the table, significant legislative changes

or definitional changes affected the estimated actuarial balance. The Social

Security Amendments of 1983 accounted for the largest single change in

recent history: the actuarial balance of -1.82 for the 1982 report improved to

+0.02 for the 1983 report. In 1985, the estimated actuarial balance changed

largely because of an adjustment made to the method for estimating the age

distribution of immigrants.

Table VI.B1.—Long-Range OASDI Actuarial Balances and Trust Fund Exhaustion 

Dates as Shown in the Trustees Reports for 1982-2012a

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

a The reports compute the actuarial balance and year of trust fund exhaustion based on the intermediate

assumptions, which the 1982-90 reports referred to as alternative II-B and the 1991 and later reports refer to

as alternative II.

Year of report

Summarized

income rate

Summarized

cost rate

Actuarial

balance

Change from

previous year

Year of

combined trust

fund exhaustion

1982 12.27 14.09 -1.82 b 1983

1983 12.87 12.84 +.02 +1.84 solvent

1984 12.90 12.95 -.06 -.08 solvent

1985 12.94 13.35 -.41 -.35 2049

1986 12.96 13.40 -.44 -.03 2051

1987 12.89 13.51 -.62 -.18 2051

1988 12.94 13.52 -.58 +.04 2048

1989 13.02 13.72 -.70 -.13 2046

1990 13.04 13.95 -.91 -.21 2043

1991 13.11 14.19 -1.08 -.17 2041

1992 13.16 14.63 -1.46 -.38 2036

1993 13.21 14.67 -1.46 b

b Between -0.005 and 0.005 percent of taxable payroll.

2036

1994 13.24 15.37 -2.13 -.66 2029

1995 13.27 15.44 -2.17 -.04 2030

1996 13.33 15.52 -2.19 -.02 2029

1997 13.37 15.60 -2.23 -.03 2029

1998 13.45 15.64 -2.19 +.04 2032

1999 13.49 15.56 -2.07 +.12 2034

2000 13.51 15.40 -1.89 +.17 2037

2001 13.58 15.44 -1.86 +.03 2038

2002 13.72 15.59 -1.87 -.01 2041

2003 13.78 15.70 -1.92 -.04 2042

2004 13.84 15.73 -1.89 +.03 2042

2005 13.87 15.79 -1.92 -.04 2041

2006 13.88 15.90 -2.02 -.09 2040

2007 13.92 15.87 -1.95 +.06 2041

2008 13.94 15.63 -1.70 +.26 2041

2009 14.02 16.02 -2.00 -.30 2037

2010 14.01 15.93 -1.92 +.08 2037

2011 14.02 16.25 -2.22 -.30 2036

2012 14.02 16.69 -2.67 -.44 2033
159

History of Actuarial Status

Rebenchmarking of the National Income and Product Accounts and changes

in demographic assumptions contributed to the change in the actuarial balance for 1987. Various changes in assumptions and methods for the 1988

report had roughly offsetting effects on the actuarial balance. In 1989 and

1990, changes in economic assumptions accounted for most of the changes

in the estimated actuarial balance.

In 1991, the effect of legislation, changes in economic assumptions, and the

introduction of the cost of reaching and maintaining an ending target trust

fund combined to produce the change in the actuarial balance. In 1992,

changes in disability assumptions and the method for projecting average benefit levels accounted for most of the change in the actuarial balance. In 1993,

numerous small changes in assumptions and methods had offsetting effects

on the actuarial balance. In 1994, changes in the real-wage assumptions, disability rates, and the earnings sample used for projecting average benefit levels accounted for most of the change in the actuarial balance. In 1995,

numerous small changes had largely offsetting effects on the actuarial balance, including a substantial reallocation of the payroll tax rate, which

reduced the OASI actuarial balance, but increased the DI actuarial balance.

In 1996, a change in the method of projecting dually-entitled beneficiaries

produced a large increase in the actuarial balance, which almost totally offset

decreases produced by changes in the valuation period and in the demographic and economic assumptions. Various changes in assumptions and

methods for the 1997 report had roughly offsetting effects on the actuarial

balance. In 1998, increases caused by changes in the economic assumptions,

although partially offset by decreases produced by changes in the valuation

period and in the demographic assumptions, accounted for most of the

changes in the estimated actuarial balance. In 1999, increases caused by

changes in the economic assumptions (related to improvements in the CPI by

the Bureau of Labor Statistics) accounted for most of the changes in the estimated actuarial balance.

For the 2000 report, changes in economic assumptions and methodology

caused increases in the actuarial balance, although reductions in the balance

caused by the change in valuation period and changes in demographic

assumptions partially offset these increases. For the 2001 report, increases

caused by changes in the demographic starting values, although partially offset by a decrease produced by the change in the valuation period, accounted

for most of the changes in the estimated actuarial balance. For the 2002

report, changes in the valuation period and the demographic assumptions—

both decreases in the actuarial balance—were offset by changes in the economic assumptions, while an increase due to disability assumptions was
Appendices

160

slightly more than offset by a decrease due to changes in the projection methods and data. For the 2003 report, an increase due to the change in program

assumptions was more than offset by decreases due to the change in valuation period and changes in demographic assumptions. In the 2004 report,

increases due to changing the method of projecting benefit levels for higher

earners more than offset decreases in the actuarial balance arising from the

change in the valuation period and the net effect of other changes in programmatic data and methods.

For the 2005 report, an increase due to changing the method of projecting

future average benefit levels was more than offset by decreases due to

changes in the valuation period, updated starting values for the economic

assumptions, and other methodological changes. In 2006, decreases in the

actuarial balance due to the change in the valuation period, a reduction in the

ultimate annual real interest rate, and improvements in calculating mortality

for disabled workers, were greater in aggregate than increases in the actuarial

balance due to changes in demographic starting values and the ultimate total

fertility rate, as well as other programmatic data and method changes. For the

2007 report, increases in the actuarial balance arising from revised disability

incidence rate assumptions, improvements in average benefit level projections, and changes in near-term economic projections, more than offset

decreases in the balance due to the valuation period change and updated historical mortality data.

For the 2008 report, the large increase in the actuarial balance was primarily

due to changes in immigration projection methods and assumptions. These

changes more than offset the decreases in the actuarial balance due to the

change in the valuation period and the lower starting and ultimate mortality

rates. In 2009, changes in starting values and near-term economic assumptions due to the economic recession, faster ultimate rates of decline in death

rates for ages 65-84, and the change in the valuation period accounted for

most of the large decrease in the actuarial balance. Legislative changes, in

particular the estimated effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care

Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, were the

main reason for the increase in the actuarial balance for the 2010 report. The

change in the valuation period partially offset this increase; there were also

changes in several assumptions, methods, and recent data which had largely

offsetting effects.

For the 2011 report, changes in mortality projections, due to new starting

values and revised methods, were the most significant of several factors contributing to the increase in the deficit. These mortality changes resulted in

lower death rates for the population age 65 and over. Adding to this negative
161

History of Actuarial Status

effect were near-term lower levels of net other immigration and real earnings

than assumed in the 2010 report.

Section IV.B.7 describes changes affecting the actuarial balance shown for

the 2012 report.
Appendices

162

C. FISCAL YEAR HISTORICAL DATA AND

PROJECTIONS THROUGH 2021

Tables VI.C1, VI.C2, and VI.C3 contain details of the fiscal year 2011 operations of the OASI, DI, and the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, respectively. Fiscal year 2011 is the most recent fiscal year for which complete

information is available. These tables are similar to the calendar year operations tables in section III.A. Please see that section for a description of the

various items of income and outgo.
163

Fiscal Year Operations and Projections

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.C1.—Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Fiscal Year 2011

[In millions]

Total assets, September 30, 2010 $2,398,377

Receipts:

Net payroll tax contributions:

Payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $496,821

Payments from the General Fund of the Treasury for payroll tax contributions subject to refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1,790

Net payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495,031

Reimbursements from the general fund:

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,433

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,559

Reimbursements directed by P.L. 110-246. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Adjustment of previous determinations of costs attributable to noncontributory 

wage credits for military service performed before 1957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -113

Reimbursement for the costs of payments to uninsured persons who attained age 

72 before 1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

a Between -$0.5 and $0.5 million.

Payroll tax credits due to P.L. 98-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

Net general fund reimbursements 68,886

Income based on taxation of benefit payments:

Withheld from benefit payments to nonresident aliens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

All other, not subject to withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,013

Total income from taxation of benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,174

Investment income and interest adjustments:

Interest on investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107,411

Net Interest adjustmentsb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b Includes: (1) interest on adjustments in the allocation of administrative expenses between the trust fund and

the general fund account for the Supplemental Security Income program; (2) interest arising from the revised

allocation of administrative expenses among the trust funds; and (3) interest on certain reimbursements to the

trust fund.

6

Net investment income and interest adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107,418

Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692,510

Disbursements:

Benefit payments:

Monthly benefits and lump-sum death benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591,535

Reimbursement from the general fund for unnegotiated checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -59

Payment for costs of vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries 1

Net benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591,477

Financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement “Social Security Equivalent

Benefit Account”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,110

Administrative expenses:

Costs incurred by:

Social Security Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,945

Department of the Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712

Offsetting receipts from sales of supplies, materials, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -5

Miscellaneous reimbursements from the general fund c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

c Reimbursements for costs incurred in performing certain legislatively mandated activities not directly

related to administering the OASI program.

-7

Net administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,645

Total disbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 599,232

Net increase in assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93,278

Total assets, September 30, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,491,654
Appendices

164

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.C2.—Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Fiscal Year 2011

[In millions]

Total assets, September 30, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $186,946

Receipts:

Net payroll tax contributions:

Payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $84,335

Payments from the General Fund of the Treasury for payroll tax contributions subject to refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -304

Net payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84,031

Reimbursements from the general fund:

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,482

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Reimbursements directed by P.L. 110-246. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Adjustment of previous determinations of costs attributable to noncontributory 

wage credits for military service performed before 1957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3

Payroll tax credits due to P.L. 98-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

a Between -$0.5 and $0.5 million.

Net general fund reimbursements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,745

Income based on taxation of benefit payments:

Withheld from benefit payments to nonresident aliens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

All other, not subject to withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,874

Total income from taxation of benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,878

Investment income and interest adjustments:

Interest on investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,567

Interest adjustmentsb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b Includes: (1) interest on adjustments in the allocation of administrative expenses between the trust fund and

the general fund account for the Supplemental Security Income program; (2) interest arising from the revised

allocation of administrative expenses among the trust funds; and (3) interest on certain reimbursements to

the trust fund.

4

Total investment income and interest adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,571

Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,225

Disbursements:

Benefit payments:

Monthly benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127,980

Reimbursement from the general fund for unnegotiated checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -31

Payment for costs of vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries . 41

Net benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127,990

Financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement “Social Security Equivalent

Benefit Account” 465

Administrative expenses:

Costs incurred by:

Social Security Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,877

Department of the Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Demonstration projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Miscellaneous reimbursements from the general fundc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c Reimbursements for costs incurred in performing certain legislatively mandated activities not directly

related to administering the DI program.

-3

Total administrative expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,034

Total disbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131,489

Net increase in assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -25,264

Total assets, September 30, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161,682
165

Fiscal Year Operations and Projections

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.C3.—Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, Fiscal Year 2011

[In millions]

Total assets, September 30, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,585,323

Receipts:

Net payroll tax contributions:

Payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $581,156

Payments from the General Fund of the Treasury for payroll tax contributions subject to refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2,094

Net payroll tax contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 579,062

Reimbursements from the general fund:

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,915

Reduction in payroll tax contributions due to P.L. 111-147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,824

Reimbursements directed by P.L. 110-246. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Adjustment of previous determinations of costs attributable to noncontributory 

wage credits for military service performed before 1957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -116

Reimbursement for the costs of payments to uninsured persons who attained age 

72 before 1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

a Between -$0.5 and $0.5 million.

Payroll tax credits due to P.L. 98-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a

Net general fund reimbursements 80,631

Income based on taxation of benefit payments:

Withheld from benefit payments to nonresident aliens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

All other, not subject to withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,887

Total income from taxation of benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,053

Investment income and interest adjustments:

Interest on investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115,978

Net Interest adjustmentsb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b Includes: (1) interest on adjustments in the allocation of administrative expenses between the trust funds

and the general fund account for the Supplemental Security Income program; (2) interest arising from the

revised allocation of administrative expenses among the trust funds; and (3) interest on certain reimbursements to the trust funds.

10

Net investment income and interest adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115,988

Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Total receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 798,735

Disbursements:

Benefit payments:

Monthly benefits and lump-sum death benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719,515

Reimbursement from the general fund for unnegotiated checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -90

Payment for costs of vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries . 42

Net benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719,467

Financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement “Social Security Equivalent

Benefit Account”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,574

Administrative expenses:

Costs incurred by:

Social Security Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,822

Department of the Treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 845

Offsetting receipts from sales of supplies, materials, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -5

Demonstration projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Miscellaneous reimbursements from the general fundc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c Reimbursements for costs incurred in performing certain legislatively mandated activities not directly

related to administering the OASI and DI programs.

-10

Net administrative expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,680

Total disbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 730,721

Net increase in assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,014

Total assets, September 30, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,653,336
Appendices

166

Tables VI.C4, VI.C5, and VI.C6 show estimates of the operations and status of

the OASI, DI, and the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, respectively, during fiscal years 2007-21. Since 1976, the fiscal year for the U.S. Government is

the 12-month period ending September 30.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.C4.—Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Fiscal Years 2007-21

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Fiscal 

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsa

a Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI Trust Fund for: (1) the cost of

noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons who attained age 72 before 1968; (3) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in 1984 and

self-employed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (4) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain selfemployment earnings from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (5) payroll tax revenue forgone under

the provisions of Public Laws 111-147, 111-312, and 112-96.

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interest Total

Benefit

payments

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiob

b The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year (which are identical to assets at the

end of the prior year shown in the “Amount at end of year” column) as a percentage of cost for the year. 

Historical data:

2007 . $663.4 $553.4 c

c Between -$50 million and $50 million.

$16.7 $93.3 $488.6 $481.8 $3.2 $3.6 $174.8 $1,967.0 367

2008 . 692.9 573.7 c 16.4 102.7 509.9 503.0 3.3 3.6 183.0 2,150.1 386

2009 . 697.3 571.2 c 19.0 107.1 551.5 544.5 3.4 3.7 145.8 2,295.8 390

2010 . 682.4 552.0 $0.7 21.1 108.6 579.9 572.5 3.5 3.9 102.5 2,398.4 396

2011 . 692.5 495.0 68.9 21.2 107.4 599.2 591.5 3.6 4.1 93.3 2,491.7 400

Intermediate:

2012 . 729.3 500.7 94.8 28.6 105.3 635.7 628.4 3.4 4.0 93.5 2,585.2 392

2013 . 749.6 593.7 23.7 29.0 103.2 675.0 667.9 3.3 3.9 74.6 2,659.8 383

2014 . 792.9 657.0 -.1 31.9 104.2 716.5 708.8 3.4 4.2 76.5 2,736.2 371

2015 . 837.2 694.7 -.1 35.4 107.2 762.0 754.1 3.5 4.3 75.2 2,811.5 359

2016 . 894.3 743.5 .1 39.2 111.5 810.6 802.9 3.6 4.1 83.7 2,895.1 347

2017 . 946.3 786.1 .1 43.5 116.7 863.9 855.5 3.8 4.6 82.4 2,977.5 335

2018 . 1,004.8 834.1 c 47.7 123.0 922.3 913.6 3.9 4.7 82.5 3,060.0 323

2019 . 1,058.9 877.8 c 52.0 129.1 986.1 977.2 4.0 4.9 72.7 3,132.8 310

2020 . 1,109.3 916.3 c 56.7 136.3 1,056.2 1,047.0 4.2 5.1 53.1 3,185.8 297

2021 . 1,168.0 965.4 c 61.7 141.0 1,129.7 1,120.6 4.3 4.9 38.3 3,224.1 282

Low-cost:

2012 . 731.2 502.2 95.1 28.6 105.3 635.6 628.2 3.4 4.0 95.6 2,587.3 392

2013 . 766.6 609.0 24.6 28.9 104.2 673.5 666.4 3.3 3.8 93.2 2,680.4 384

2014 . 814.9 677.3 -.1 31.6 106.1 710.3 702.7 3.4 4.2 104.6 2,785.0 377

2015 . 864.7 719.6 -.1 34.8 110.4 749.2 741.5 3.5 4.2 115.5 2,900.5 372

2016 . 926.9 772.4 .1 38.3 116.1 791.1 783.6 3.6 3.9 135.8 3,036.2 367

2017 . 980.3 814.8 .1 42.1 123.3 837.2 829.1 3.7 4.4 143.0 3,179.3 363

2018 . 1,037.4 860.5 c 45.8 131.1 886.5 878.2 3.8 4.5 150.9 3,330.2 359

2019 . 1,091.8 902.2 c 49.5 140.0 940.1 931.6 3.9 4.6 151.7 3,481.9 354

2020 . 1,143.1 939.6 c 53.6 149.9 998.3 989.5 4.0 4.7 144.8 3,626.7 349

2021 . 1,204.5 988.1 c 57.8 158.5 1,058.5 1,049.9 4.1 4.5 145.9 3,772.6 343

High-cost:

2012 . 726.0 498.0 94.2 28.6 105.2 636.0 628.6 3.4 4.0 90.1 2,581.7 392

2013 . 727.1 574.0 22.5 29.1 101.5 676.7 669.5 3.3 3.9 50.4 2,632.1 382

2014 . 767.6 634.1 -.1 32.2 101.5 722.8 715.1 3.4 4.3 44.8 2,676.9 364

2015 . 803.5 664.1 -.1 35.9 103.6 774.5 766.5 3.5 4.4 29.0 2,705.9 346

2016 . 856.8 709.8 .1 40.2 106.7 832.0 824.1 3.7 4.2 24.8 2,730.7 325

2017 . 909.1 753.0 .1 45.1 111.0 896.6 887.9 3.8 4.8 12.5 2,743.2 305

2018 . 970.0 803.0 c 50.0 116.9 967.6 958.6 4.0 5.0 2.3 2,745.6 283

2019 . 1,029.5 853.3 c 55.1 121.1 1,046.4 1,036.9 4.2 5.3 -16.8 2,728.8 262

2020 . 1,083.2 898.3 c 60.7 124.2 1,131.7 1,121.9 4.3 5.5 -48.5 2,680.3 241

2021 . 1,141.2 950.9 c 66.7 123.6 1,221.3 1,211.5 4.5 5.4 -80.1 2,600.1 219
167

Fiscal Year Operations and Projections

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.C5.—Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Fiscal Years 2007-21

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Fiscal 

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsa

a Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the DI Trust Fund for: (1) the cost of noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to

employees in 1984 and self-employed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (3) the cost in 2009-17 of

excluding certain self-employment earnings from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (4) payroll tax

revenue forgone under the provisions of Public Laws 111-147, 111-312, and 112-96.

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interest Total

Benefit

payments

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiob

b The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year (which are identical to assets at the

end of the prior year shown in the “Amount at end of year” column) as a percentage of cost for the year. 

Historical data:

2007 . . $108.4 $94.0 c

c Between -$50 million and $50 million.

$1.4 $13.1 $96.8 $94.0 $2.4 $0.4 $11.6 $213.6 209

2008 . . 109.8 97.4 c 1.4 11.0 107.2 104.2 2.5 .4 2.7 216.2 199

2009 . . 109.7 97.0 c 1.8 10.8 118.1 115.1 2.6 .4 -8.5 207.8 183

2010 . . 105.5 93.7 $0.1 1.7 9.9 126.3 122.9 2.9 .5 -20.8 186.9 164

2011 . . 106.2 84.0 11.7 1.9 8.6 131.5 128.0 3.0 .5 -25.3 161.7 142

Intermediate:

2012 . . 109.4 85.0 16.1 1.1 7.2 138.8 135.2 3.1 .5 -29.4 132.3 116

2013 . . 112.9 100.8 4.0 2.5 5.6 146.0 142.3 3.1 .5 -33.1 99.2 91

2014 . . 118.2 111.6 c 2.7 4.0 151.8 147.9 3.4 .5 -33.6 65.6 65

2015 . . 123.5 118.0 c 3.0 2.5 157.8 153.7 3.6 .5 -34.3 31.3 42

2016 . . d

d The DI Trust Fund becomes exhausted in fiscal years 2016 and 2015 under the intermediate and the high-cost

assumptions, respectively. Accordingly, certain trust fund operation values from the year of trust fund exhaustion through 2021 are not meaningful under present law.

126.3 c 3.3 d 163.6 159.3 3.8 .5 d d 19

2017 . . d 133.5 c 3.6 d 169.3 164.8 4.1 .5 d dd

2018 . . d 141.6 c 3.9 d 175.4 170.7 4.3 .4 d dd

2019 . . d 149.1 c 4.2 d 182.1 177.1 4.6 .4 d dd

2020 . . d 155.6 c 4.6 d 189.6 184.4 4.8 .4 d dd

2021 . . d 163.9 c 5.0 d 198.9 193.5 5.1 .3 d dd

Low-cost:

2012 . . 109.7 85.3 16.1 1.1 7.2 137.2 133.7 3.1 .5 -27.5 134.2 118

2013 . . 115.7 103.4 4.2 2.4 5.7 142.0 138.4 3.1 .5 -26.3 107.9 94

2014 . . 122.0 115.0 c 2.6 4.4 144.8 140.9 3.4 .5 -22.8 85.1 74

2015 . . 128.5 122.2 c 2.8 3.5 147.4 143.3 3.6 .5 -18.9 66.2 58

2016 . . 137.0 131.2 c 3.0 2.8 149.9 145.6 3.8 .4 -12.9 53.3 44

2017 . . 143.9 138.4 c 3.3 2.2 152.5 148.0 4.0 .4 -8.6 44.6 35

2018 . . 151.5 146.1 c 3.5 1.9 155.5 150.9 4.3 .4 -4.1 40.6 29

2019 . . 158.7 153.2 c 3.7 1.8 159.2 154.4 4.5 .4 -.6 40.0 25

2020 . . 165.2 159.6 c 3.9 1.7 163.5 158.5 4.7 .3 1.7 41.7 24

2021 . . 173.9 167.8 c 4.2 1.9 169.1 163.8 5.0 .3 4.8 46.6 25

High-cost:

2012 . . 108.9 84.6 16.0 1.1 7.2 140.4 136.9 3.1 .5 -31.6 130.1 115

2013 . . 109.2 97.5 3.8 2.6 5.4 150.3 146.7 3.1 .5 -41.1 89.0 87

2014 . . 113.9 107.7 c 2.9 3.4 159.7 155.7 3.4 .5 -45.7 43.3 56

2015 . . d 112.8 c 3.2 d 169.5 165.4 3.6 .5 d d 26

2016 . . d 120.5 c 3.6 d 179.6 175.3 3.8 .5 d dd

2017 . . d 127.9 c 4.1 d 189.7 185.1 4.1 .5 d dd

2018 . . d 136.4 c 4.5 d 200.0 195.2 4.4 .5 d dd

2019 . . d 144.9 c 4.9 d 210.9 205.7 4.7 .4 d dd

2020 . . d 152.5 c 5.4 d 222.1 216.7 5.0 .4 d dd

2021 . . d 161.5 c 5.9 d 235.0 229.4 5.3 .4 d dd
Appendices

168

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.C6.—Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

Fiscal Years 2007-21

[Dollar amounts in billions]

Fiscal

year

Income Cost Assets

Total

Net payroll tax

contributions

GF

reimbursementsa

a Includes reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI and DI Trust Funds for: (1) the

cost of noncontributory wage credits for military service before 1957; (2) the cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons who attained age 72 before 1968; (3) the cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in 1984

and self-employed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21; (4) the cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain selfemployment earnings from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246; and (5) payroll tax revenue forgone under

the provisions of Public Laws 111-147, 111-312, and 112-96.

Taxation of

benefits

Net

interest Total

Benefit

payments

Administrative

costs

RRB

interchange

Net

increase

during

year

Amount

at end

of year

Trust

fund

ratiob

b The “Trust fund ratio” column represents assets at the beginning of a year (which are identical to assets at the

end of the prior year shown in the “Amount at end of year” column) as a percentage of cost for the year. 

Historical data:

2007. . $771.8 $647.4 c

c Between -$50 million and $50 million.

$18.0 $106.4 $585.3 $575.8 $5.5 $4.0 $186.5 $2,180.6 341

2008. . 802.7 671.2 c 17.8 113.7 617.0 607.2 5.8 4.0 185.7 2,366.3 353

2009. . 807.0 668.2 c 20.8 118.0 669.7 659.6 6.0 4.1 137.3 2,503.6 353

2010. . 788.0 645.8 $0.9 22.8 118.5 706.3 695.4 6.4 4.4 81.7 2,585.3 354

2011. . 798.7 579.1 80.6 23.1 116.0 730.7 719.5 6.7 4.6 68.0 2,653.3 354

Intermediate:

2012. . 838.7 585.7 110.8 29.7 112.4 774.5 763.7 6.4 4.4 64.1 2,717.5 343

2013. . 862.5 694.5 27.8 31.5 108.8 821.0 810.2 6.4 4.3 41.5 2,759.0 331

2014. . 911.2 768.5 -.1 34.6 108.1 868.3 856.7 6.9 4.7 42.9 2,801.9 318

2015. . 960.7 812.7 -.1 38.4 109.7 919.8 907.8 7.1 4.8 40.9 2,842.8 305

2016. . 1,024.8 869.7 .1 42.5 112.4 974.3 962.3 7.5 4.5 50.5 2,893.3 292

2017. . 1,082.8 919.6 .1 47.1 116.0 1,033.2 1,020.3 7.9 5.1 49.5 2,942.8 280

2018. . 1,148.1 975.7 c 51.6 120.7 1,097.7 1,084.3 8.2 5.2 50.4 2,993.1 268

2019. . 1,208.2 1,026.8 c 56.2 125.1 1,168.2 1,154.3 8.6 5.3 40.0 3,033.1 256

2020. . 1,263.6 1,071.9 c 61.3 130.4 1,245.9 1,231.4 9.0 5.4 17.7 3,050.8 243

2021. . 1,329.0 1,129.3 c 66.7 133.0 1,328.6 1,314.0 9.4 5.2 .4 3,051.2 230

Low-cost:

2012. . 840.9 587.5 111.2 29.7 112.5 772.8 761.9 6.4 4.4 68.1 2,721.4 343

2013. . 882.4 712.4 28.7 31.3 109.9 815.5 804.8 6.4 4.3 66.9 2,788.3 334

2014. . 936.9 792.3 -.1 34.2 110.5 855.1 843.6 6.9 4.7 81.7 2,870.1 326

2015. . 993.2 841.8 -.1 37.6 113.9 896.6 884.7 7.2 4.7 96.6 2,966.7 320

2016. . 1,063.9 903.6 .1 41.3 118.9 941.0 929.2 7.5 4.4 122.9 3,089.5 315

2017. . 1,124.1 953.2 .1 45.4 125.5 989.7 977.1 7.8 4.8 134.4 3,223.9 312

2018. . 1,188.9 1,006.6 c 49.3 133.0 1,042.1 1,029.0 8.1 4.9 146.9 3,370.8 309

2019. . 1,250.5 1,055.5 c 53.2 141.8 1,099.4 1,085.9 8.4 5.0 151.1 3,521.9 307

2020. . 1,308.3 1,099.2 c 57.5 151.7 1,161.8 1,148.0 8.8 5.1 146.5 3,668.4 303

2021. . 1,378.4 1,155.9 c 62.0 160.4 1,227.6 1,213.7 9.1 4.8 150.8 3,819.2 299

High-cost:

2012. . 834.9 582.6 110.2 29.7 112.4 776.4 765.5 6.4 4.4 58.5 2,711.9 342

2013. . 836.3 671.5 26.3 31.6 106.8 827.0 816.2 6.4 4.4 9.2 2,721.1 328

2014. . 881.5 741.7 -.1 35.1 104.9 882.5 870.8 6.9 4.8 -1.0 2,720.1 308

2015. . 920.7 776.8 -.1 39.2 104.8 944.0 932.0 7.1 4.9 -23.3 2,696.8 288

2016. . 979.6 830.4 .1 43.9 105.2 1,011.7 999.4 7.5 4.7 -32.1 2,664.7 267

2017. . 1,035.9 880.8 .1 49.2 105.9 1,086.3 1,073.0 7.9 5.3 -50.3 2,614.4 245

2018. . 1,101.6 939.4 c 54.5 107.6 1,167.7 1,153.8 8.4 5.5 -66.1 2,548.3 224

2019. . 1,165.4 998.2 c 60.1 107.1 1,257.2 1,242.6 8.9 5.7 -91.8 2,456.5 203

2020. . 1,222.0 1,050.8 c 66.1 105.1 1,353.8 1,338.5 9.3 5.9 -131.7 2,324.8 181

2021. . 1,284.2 1,112.4 c 72.6 99.2 1,456.4 1,440.9 9.8 5.7 -172.2 2,152.5 160
169

Long-Range Sensitivity Analysis

D. LONG-RANGE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

This appendix presents estimates that illustrate the sensitivity of the longrange actuarial status of the OASDI program to changes in selected individual assumptions. The estimates based on the three alternative sets of assumptions, which were presented earlier in this report, illustrate the effects of

varying all of the principal assumptions simultaneously, in order to portray a

generally more optimistic or pessimistic future. For each sensitivity analysis

presented in this appendix, the intermediate alternative II projection is the

reference point, and one assumption is varied within that alternative. The

variation used for each individual assumption is the same as the level used

for that assumption in the low-cost alternative I and high-cost alternative III

projections.

Each table in this section shows the effects of changing a particular assumption on the OASDI summarized income rates, summarized cost rates, and

actuarial balances for 25-year, 50-year, and 75-year valuation periods. Following each table is a discussion of the estimated changes in cost rates. The

change in each of the actuarial balances is approximately equal to the change

in the corresponding cost rate, but in the opposite direction. This appendix

does not discuss income rates following each table because income rates

vary only slightly with changes in assumptions. This stability occurs because

the combined rate, which includes payroll taxes and reimbursements from

the General Fund of the Treasury, is constant for the entire 75-year valuation

period.

1. Total Fertility Rate

Table VI.D1 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

on the basis of alternative II with various assumptions about the ultimate

total fertility rate. The Trustees assume that total fertility will ultimately be

1.7, 2.0, and 2.3 children per woman under alternatives III, II, and I, respectively. The total fertility rate changes gradually from the 2011 level and

reaches ultimate values in 2036.
Appendices

170

For the 25-year period, the cost rate for the three fertility assumptions varies

by only about 0.05 percent of taxable payroll. In contrast, the 75-year cost

rate varies over a wide range, decreasing from 17.12 to 16.27 percent, as the

assumed ultimate total fertility rate increases from 1.7 to 2.3. Similarly,

while the 25-year actuarial balance varies by only 0.05 percent of taxable

payroll, the 75-year actuarial balance varies over a much wider range, from

-3.05 to -2.29 percent.

During the 25-year period, the very slight increases in the working population resulting from increases in fertility are more than offset by decreases in

the female labor force and increases in the number of child beneficiaries.

Therefore, program cost increases slightly with higher fertility. For the

75-year long-range period, however, changes in fertility have a relatively

greater effect on the labor force than on the beneficiary population. As a

result, an increase in fertility significantly reduces the cost rate. Each

increase of 0.1 in the ultimate total fertility rate increases the long-range

actuarial balance by about 0.13 percent of taxable payroll.

2. Death Rates

Table VI.D2 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

on the basis of alternative II with various assumptions about future reducTable VI.D1.—Sensitivity to Varying Fertility Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Ultimate total fertility ratea b

a The total fertility rate for any year is the average number of children who would be born to a woman in her

lifetime if she were to experience the birth rates by age observed in, or assumed for, the selected year, and if

she were to survive the entire childbearing period. The ultimate total fertility rate is reached in 2036.

b Ultimate total fertility rates used for this analysis are: 1.7 from the alternative III assumptions, 2.0 from the

alternative II assumptions, and 2.3 from the alternative I assumptions. All other assumptions used for this

analysis are from alternative II.

1.7 2.0 2.3

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.96 14.97 14.97

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.25 14.24 14.23

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.07 14.02 13.98

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.16 16.18 16.21

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.63 16.52 16.41

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.12 16.69 16.27

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.19 -1.21 -1.24

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.38 -2.28 -2.19

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3.05 -2.67 -2.29

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -6.76 -4.50 -2.67

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2033 2033 2033
171

Long-Range Sensitivity Analysis

tions in death rates for the period 2011-86. These assumptions are described

in section V.A.2. The Trustees assume that the age-sex-adjusted death rates

will decline at average annual rates of 0.39 percent, 0.77 percent, and

1.18 percent for alternatives I, II, and III, respectively. 

The variation in cost for the 25-year period is less pronounced than the variation for the 75-year period because the Trustees assume that decreases in

death rates will occur gradually. The 25-year cost rate increases from

16.04 percent (for an average annual death-rate reduction of 0.39 percent) to

16.33 percent (for an average annual death-rate reduction of 1.18 percent).

The 75-year cost rate increases from 16.20 to 17.19 percent. The actuarial

balance decreases from -1.07 to -1.36 percent for the 25-year period, and

from -2.19 to -3.16 percent for the 75-year period.

Lower death rates raise both the income (through increased taxable payroll)

and the cost of the OASDI program. The relative increase in cost, however,

exceeds the relative increase in taxable payroll. For any given year, reductions in the death rates for people who are age 62 and over (ages at which

death rates are the highest) increase the number of retired-worker beneficiaries (and, therefore, the amount of retirement benefits paid) without adding

significantly to the number of covered workers (and, therefore, to the taxable

payroll). Reductions for people at age 50 to retirement eligibility age result

Table VI.D2.—Sensitivity to Varying Death-Rate Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Average annual death-rate reductiona b

a The average annual death-rate reduction is the average annual geometric rate of decline in the age-sexadjusted death rate between 2010 and 2085. The overall age-sex-adjusted death rate decreases from 2011 to

2086 by 26 percent, 44 percent, and 59 percent for alternatives I, II, and III, respectively.

b The average annual death-rate reductions used for this analysis are: 0.39 percent from the alternative I

assumptions, 0.77 percent from the alternative II assumptions, and 1.18 percent from the alternative III

assumptions. All other assumptions used for this analysis are from alternative II.

0.39 percent 0.77 percent 1.18 percent

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.97 14.97 14.96

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.23 14.24 14.25

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.01 14.02 14.04

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.04 16.18 16.33

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.17 16.52 16.89

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.20 16.69 17.19

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.07 -1.21 -1.36

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.94 -2.28 -2.64

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.19 -2.67 -3.16

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3.49 -4.50 -5.49

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2033 2033 2032
Appendices

172

in significant increases to the taxable payroll. However, those increases are

not large enough to offset the sum of the additional retirement benefits mentioned above and the disability benefits paid to additional beneficiaries at

these pre-retirement ages, which are ages of high disability incidence. At

ages under 50, death rates are so low that even substantial reductions in death

rates do not result in significant increases in the numbers of covered workers

or beneficiaries. Consequently, if death rates decline by about the same relative amount for all ages, the cost increases faster than the rate of growth in

payroll, which results in higher cost rates and lower actuarial balances. Each

additional 0.1-percentage-point increase in the average annual rate of decline

in the death rate decreases the long-range actuarial balance by about 0.12

percent of taxable payroll.

3. Net Immigration

Table VI.D3 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

under alternative II with various assumptions about the magnitude of net

immigration. The Trustees assume that annual net immigration will average

790,000 persons, 1,080,000 persons, and 1,375,000 persons over the longrange period under alternatives III, II, and I, respectively.

Table VI.D3.—Sensitivity to Varying Net-Immigration Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Average annual net immigrationa b

a Net immigration per year is the annual net immigration to the Social Security area, including both legal and

other immigration, averaged over the 75-year projection period.

b The average annual net immigration assumptions used for this analysis are: 790,000 from the alternative III

assumptions, 1,080,000 from the alternative II assumptions, and 1,375,000 from the alternative I assumptions. All other assumptions used for this analysis are from alternative II.

790,000 1,080,000 1,375,000

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.00 14.97 14.94

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.27 14.24 14.21

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.06 14.02 13.99

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.32 16.18 16.06

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.74 16.52 16.33

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.95 16.69 16.46

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.33 -1.21 -1.11

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.47 -2.28 -2.12

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.89 -2.67 -2.47

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -4.91 -4.50 -4.13

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2032 2033 2033
173

Long-Range Sensitivity Analysis

For all three periods, when net immigration increases, the cost rate decreases.

For the 25-year period, the cost rate decreases from 16.32 percent of taxable

payroll (for average annual net immigration of 790,000 persons) to 16.06

percent (for average annual net immigration of 1,375,000 persons). For the

50-year period, it decreases from 16.74 percent to 16.33 percent, and for the

75-year period, it decreases from 16.95 percent to 16.46 percent. The actuarial balance increases from -1.33 to -1.11 percent for the 25-year period, from

-2.47 to -2.12 percent for the 50-year period, and from -2.89 to -2.47 percent

for the 75-year period.

The cost rate decreases with an increase in net immigration because immigration occurs at relatively young ages, thereby increasing the numbers of

covered workers earlier than the numbers of beneficiaries. Increasing average annual net immigration by 100,000 persons improves the long-range

actuarial balance by about 0.07 percent of taxable payroll.

4. Real-Wage Differential

Table VI.D4 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

on the basis of alternative II with various assumptions about the real-wage

differential. The Trustees assume the ultimate real-wage differential will be

0.51 percentage point, 1.12 percentage points, and 1.71 percentage points

under alternatives III, II, and I, respectively. In each case, the ultimate annual

increase in the CPI is 2.80 percent (consistent with alternative II). Therefore,

the ultimate percentage increases in average annual wages in covered

employment are 3.31, 3.92, and 4.51 percent.

For the 25-year period, the cost rate decreases from 16.89 percent (for a realwage differential of 0.51 percentage point) to 15.51 percent (for a differential

of 1.71 percentage points). For the 50-year period, it decreases from 17.56 to

15.54 percent, and for the 75-year period it decreases from 17.84 to 15.60

percent. The actuarial balance increases from -1.78 to -0.68 percent for the

25-year period, from -3.14 to -1.47 percent for the 50-year period, and from

-3.61 to -1.77 percent for the 75-year period.
Appendices

174

The cost rate decreases with increasing real-wage differentials. Higher wages

increase taxable payroll immediately, but they increase benefit levels only

gradually as new beneficiaries become entitled. In addition, cost-of-living

adjustments (COLAs) to benefits depend not on changes in wages, but on

changes in prices. Each 0.5-percentage-point increase in the real-wage differential increases the long-range actuarial balance by about 0.77 percent of taxable payroll.

5. Consumer Price Index

Table VI.D5 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

on the basis of alternative II with various assumptions about the rate of

increase for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Trustees assume the

annual increase in the CPI will be 1.80 percent, 2.80 percent, and 3.80 percent under alternatives I, II, and III, respectively. In each case, the ultimate

real-wage differential is 1.12 percentage points (consistent with alternative

II), yielding ultimate percentage increases in average annual wages in covered employment of 2.92, 3.92, and 4.92 percent.

Table VI.D4.—Sensitivity to Varying Real-Wage Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Ultimate percentage increase in wages-CPIa b

a The first value in each pair is the ultimate annual percentage increase in average wages in covered employment. The second value is the ultimate annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. The difference between the two values is the ultimate real-wage differential.

b The ultimate real-wage differentials of 0.51, 1.12, and 1.71 percentage points are the same as in alternatives III, II, and I, respectively. All other assumptions used for this analysis are from alternative II.

3.31-2.80 3.92-2.80 4.51-2.80

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.11 14.97 14.83

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.43 14.24 14.07

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.23 14.02 13.84

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.89 16.18 15.51

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.56 16.52 15.54

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.84 16.69 15.60

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.78 -1.21 -.68

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3.14 -2.28 -1.47

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3.61 -2.67 -1.77

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -6.33 -4.50 -2.96

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2031 2033 2036
175

Long-Range Sensitivity Analysis

For all three periods, the cost rate decreases when the assumed rates of

increase in the CPI are greater. For the 25-year period, the cost rate decreases

from 16.36 (for CPI increases of 1.80 percent) to 16.01 percent (for CPI

increases of 3.80 percent). For the 50-year period, it decreases from 16.75 to

16.29 percent, and for the 75-year period, it decreases from 16.94 to 16.44

percent. The actuarial balance increases from -1.35 to -1.08 percent for the

25-year period, from -2.48 to -2.09 percent for the 50-year period, and from

-2.88 to -2.45 percent for the 75-year period.

The time lag between the effects of the CPI changes on taxable payroll and

on benefit payments explains these patterns. When the rate of increase in the

CPI is greater and the real-wage differential is constant, then: (1) the effect

on taxable payroll due to a greater rate of increase in average wages occurs

immediately; and (2) the effect on benefits due to a larger COLA occurs with

a lag of about 1 year. As a result of these effects, the higher taxable payrolls

have a stronger effect than the higher benefits, which results in lower cost

rates. Each 1.0-percentage-point increase in the rate of the change in the CPI

increases the long-range actuarial balance by about 0.22 percent of taxable

payroll.

Table VI.D5.—Sensitivity to Varying CPI-Increase Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Ultimate percentage increase in wages-CPIa b

a The first value in each pair is the ultimate annual percentage increase in average wages in covered employment. The second value is the ultimate annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. The difference between the two values is the ultimate real-wage differential.

b The ultimate CPI increases of 1.80, 2.80, and 3.80 percent are the same as in alternatives I, II, and III,

respectively. The ultimate real-wage differential of 1.12 percentage points is the same as in alternative II. All

other assumptions used for this analysis are also from alternative II.

2.92-1.80 3.92-2.80 4.92-3.80

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.01 14.97 14.92

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.27 14.24 14.21

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.05 14.02 13.99

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.36 16.18 16.01

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.75 16.52 16.29

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.94 16.69 16.44

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.35 -1.21 -1.08

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.48 -2.28 -2.09

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.88 -2.67 -2.45

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -4.80 -4.50 -4.22

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2032 2033 2033
Appendices

176

6. Real Interest Rate

Table VI.D6 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

under alternative II with various assumptions about the annual real interest

rate (compounded semiannually) for special public-debt obligations issuable

to the trust funds. The Trustees assume that the ultimate annual real interest

rate will be 2.4 percent, 2.9 percent, and 3.4 percent under alternatives III, II,

and I, respectively. In each case, the ultimate annual increase in the CPI is

2.80 percent, which is consistent with alternative II. Therefore, the ultimate

annual yields are 5.3, 5.8, and 6.3 percent, respectively.

For the 25-year period, the cost rate decreases with increasing real interest

rates from 16.26 percent (for an ultimate real interest rate of 2.4 percent) to

16.10 percent (for an ultimate real interest rate of 3.4 percent). For the 50-

year period, it decreases from 16.62 to 16.42 percent and, for the 75-year

period, it decreases from 16.81 to 16.56 percent. The actuarial balance

increases from -1.36 to -1.07 percent for the 25-year period, from -2.47 to

-2.09 percent for the 50-year period, and from -2.89 to -2.44 percent for the

75-year period. Each 0.5-percentage-point increase in the real interest rate

increases the long-range actuarial balance by about 0.22 percent of taxable

payroll.

Table VI.D6.—Sensitivity to Varying Real-Interest Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Ultimate annual real interest ratea b

a The ultimate real interest rate is the effective annual yield on assets held by the trust funds divided by the

annual rate of growth in the CPI.

b The ultimate annual real interest rates used for this analysis are: 2.4 percent from the alternative III

assumptions, 2.9 percent from the alternative II assumptions, and 3.4 percent from the alternative I assumptions. All other assumptions used for this analysis are from alternative II.

2.4 percent 2.9 percent 3.4 percent

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.90 14.97 15.04

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.15 14.24 14.33

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.93 14.02 14.12

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.26 16.18 16.10

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.62 16.52 16.42

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.81 16.69 16.56

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.36 -1.21 -1.07

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.47 -2.28 -2.09

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.89 -2.67 -2.44

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -4.50 -4.50 -4.50

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2032 2033 2033
177

Long-Range Sensitivity Analysis

7. Disability Incidence Rates

Table VI.D7 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

on the basis of alternative II with various assumptions concerning future disability incidence rates. For all three alternatives, the Trustees assume that

incidence rates by age and sex will vary during the early years of the projection period before attaining ultimate levels in 2031. In comparison to the historical period 1970 through 2011, the ultimate age-sex-adjusted incidence

rate is about 4 percent higher for alternative II, 15 percent lower for alternative I, and 25 percent higher for alternative III.

For the 25-year period, the cost rate increases with increasing disability incidence rates, from 15.96 percent (for the relatively low rates assumed for

alternative I) to 16.41 percent (for the relatively high rates assumed for alternative III). For the 50-year period, it increases from 16.24 to 16.79 percent,

and for the 75-year period, it increases from 16.40 to 16.97 percent. The

actuarial balance decreases from -1.00 to -1.44 percent for the 25-year

period, from -2.01 to -2.55 percent for the 50-year period, and from -2.38 to

-2.95 percent for the 75-year period.

8. Disability Termination Rates

Table VI.D8 shows OASDI income rates, cost rates, and actuarial balances

on the basis of alternative II with various assumptions about future disability

termination rates. For all three alternatives, the Trustees assume that death

rates will decline throughout the long-range period. For alternative II, the

Table VI.D7.—Sensitivity to Varying Disability Incidence Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Disability incidence rates

based on alternative—

I II III

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.96 14.97 14.97

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.23 14.24 14.25

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.01 14.02 14.03

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.96 16.18 16.41

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.24 16.52 16.79

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.40 16.69 16.97

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.00 -1.21 -1.44

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.01 -2.28 -2.55

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.38 -2.67 -2.95

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -4.17 -4.50 -4.82

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2034 2033 2032
Appendices

178

age-sex-adjusted1 death rate declines to a level in 2086 that is about 58 percent lower than the level in 2011. For alternative I, the age-sex-adjusted

death rate declines to a level in 2086 that is about 32 percent lower than the

level in 2011. For alternative III, the age-sex-adjusted death rate declines to a

level in 2086 that is about 75 percent lower than the level in 2011.

For all three alternatives, ultimate recovery-termination rates by age, sex,

and duration are attained in the twentieth year of the projection period. For

alternative II, the age-sex-adjusted1 recovery rate in 2031 is about 10 recoveries per thousand disabled-worker beneficiaries. For alternative I, the agesex-adjusted recovery rate in 2031 is about 12 recoveries per thousand disabled-worker beneficiaries. For alternative III, the age-sex-adjusted recovery

rate in 2031 is about 8 recoveries per thousand disabled-worker beneficiaries.

For the 25-year period, the cost rate increases with decreasing disability termination rates, from 16.14 percent (for the relatively high termination rates

assumed for alternative I) to 16.22 percent (for the relatively low termination

rates assumed for alternative III). For the 50-year period, it increases from

16.47 to 16.57 percent, and for the 75-year period, it increases from 16.64 to

16.73 percent. The actuarial balance decreases from -1.18 to -1.25 percent

for the 25-year period, from -2.23 to -2.33 percent for the 50-year period, and

from -2.62 to -2.71 percent for the 75-year period.

 1 Age adjusted to the total disabled workers in current-payment status as of the year 2000.

Table VI.D8.—Sensitivity to Varying Disability Termination Assumptions

[As a percentage of taxable payroll]

Valuation period

Disability termination rates

based on alternative—

I II III

Summarized income rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.97 14.97 14.97

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.24 14.24 14.24

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.02 14.02 14.02

Summarized cost rate:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.14 16.18 16.22

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.47 16.52 16.57

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.64 16.69 16.73

Actuarial balance:

25-year: 2012-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.18 -1.21 -1.25

50-year: 2012-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.23 -2.28 -2.33

75-year: 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2.62 -2.67 -2.71

Annual balance for 2086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -4.45 -4.50 -4.55

Year of combined trust fund exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2033 2033 2033
179

Stochastic Projections 

E. STOCHASTIC PROJECTIONS AND UNCERTAINTY

Significant uncertainty surrounds the estimates under the intermediate

assumptions, especially for a period as long as 75 years. This appendix presents a way to illustrate the uncertainty of these estimates. The stochastic projections supplement the traditional methods of examining such uncertainty.

1. Background

The Trustees have traditionally shown estimates using the low-cost and highcost sets of specified assumptions to illustrate the presence of uncertainty.

These alternative estimates provide a range of possible outcomes for the projections. However, they do not provide an indication of the probability that

actual future experience will be inside or outside this range. This appendix

presents the results of a model, based on stochastic modeling techniques, that

estimates a probability distribution of future outcomes of the financial status

of the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds.

2. Stochastic Methodology

Other sections of this report provide estimates of the financial status of the

combined OASI and DI Trust Funds using a scenario-based model. For the

scenario-based model, the Trustees make assumptions about levels of fertility, changes in mortality, legal and other immigration levels, legal and other

emigration levels, changes in the Consumer Price Index, changes in average

real wages, unemployment rates, trust fund real yield rates, and disability

incidence and recovery rates. In general, the Trustees assume that each of

these variables will reach an ultimate value at a specific point during the

long-range period, and will maintain that value throughout the remainder of

the period. As mentioned above, three scenarios assume separate, specified

values for each of these variables. Chapter V contains more details about

each of these assumptions.

This appendix presents estimates of the probability that key measures of

OASDI solvency will fall in certain ranges, based on 5,000 independent stochastic simulations. Each simulation allows the above variables to vary

throughout the long-range period. Each variable fluctuates using standard

time-series modeling, a method designed to make inferences based on historical data. Generally, each variable is modeled using an equation that: (a) captures a relationship between current and prior years’ values of the variable;

and (b) introduces year-by-year random variation as observed in the historical period. For some variables, the equations also reflect relationships with

other variables. The equations contain parameters that are estimated using
Appendices

180

historical data for periods between 25 years and 110 years, depending on the

nature and quality of the available data. Each time-series equation is

designed so that, in the absence of random variation over time, the value of

the variable for each year equals its value under the intermediate assumptions.1

For each simulation, the stochastic method develops year-by-year random

variation in most of the variables using Monte Carlo techniques. The one

exception is that the model varies net other immigration directly rather than

as the difference of its components (other immigration minus other emigration). Each simulation produces an estimate of the financial status of the

combined OASI and DI Trust Funds. This appendix shows the distribution of

results from 5,000 simulations of the model.

Readers should interpret the results from this model with caution and with an

understanding of the model’s limitations. Results are very sensitive to equation specifications, degrees of interdependence among variables, and the historical periods used for the estimates. For some variables, recent historical

variation may not provide a realistic representation of the potential variation

for the future. Also, results would differ if additional variables (such as labor

force participation rates, retirement rates, marriage rates, and divorce rates)

were also allowed to vary randomly. Furthermore, more variability could

result if statistical approaches were used to model shifts in the central tendencies of the variables. The historical period utilized for most variables

does not reflect many substantial shifts, and time-series modeling reflects

only what occurred in the historical period. As a result, readers should understand that the true range of uncertainty is likely to be larger than indicated in

this appendix. Substantial shifts, as predicted by many experts and as seen in

prior centuries, are not fully reflected in the current model.

3. Stochastic Results

Figure VI.E1 displays the probability distribution of the year-by-year

OASDI cost rates (that is, cost as a percentage of taxable payroll). The range

of the cost rates widens as the projections move further into the future, which

reflects increasing uncertainty. The figure includes the income rate under the

intermediate assumptions to indicate the patterns of cash flow for the OASDI

program. The figure includes only this income rate, because there is relatively little variation in income rates throughout the projection period. The

 1 More detail on this model, and stochastic modeling in general, is available at

www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/stochastic/index.html.
181

Stochastic Projections 

two extreme lines in this figure illustrate the range within which future

annual cost rates are projected to occur 95 percent of the time (i.e., a 95-percent confidence interval). In other words, the model indicates that there is a

2.5 percent probability that the cost rate in a given year will exceed the upper

bound and a 2.5 percent probability that it will fall below the lower bound.

Other lines in the figure display additional confidence intervals (80-percent,

60-percent, 40-percent, and 20-percent) around future annual cost rates. The

median cost rate for each year is the rate that falls exactly in the middle of

possible outcomes for that year. These lines do not represent the results of

individual stochastic simulations. Instead, for each given year, they represent

the percentile distribution of cost rates based on all stochastic simulations for

that year. 

Figure VI.E2 presents the simulated probability distribution of the annual

trust fund ratios for the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds. The lines in this

figure display the median set (50th percentile) of estimated annual trust fund

ratios and the 95-percent, 80-percent, 60-percent, 40-percent, and 20-percent

confidence intervals expected for future annual trust fund ratios. These lines

are not the results of individual stochastic simulations. For each given year,

 Figure VI.E1.—Long-Range OASDI Cost Rates From Stochastic Modeling

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

2012 2027 2042 2057 2072 2087

Projection year

 

50%

97.5%

2.5%

90%

10%

Income Rate
Appendices

182

they represent the percentile distribution of trust fund ratios based on all stochastic simulations for that year.

The median estimate for each year indicates that the assets of the combined

OASI and DI Trust Funds become exhausted by the end of 2033 with a probability of 50 percent. This exhaustion date is the same as the year of exhaustion the Trustees project under the intermediate assumptions. Figure VI.E2

shows that the 95-percent confidence interval for the trust fund ratio in 2025

ranges from 249 to 94 percent of annual cost. 

The difference in the ranges of the projected trust fund ratios between two of

the methods for illustrating uncertainty (alternative scenarios and stochastic

simulations) is substantially due to the different assignment of real interest

rates in these two methods. The next section includes an explanation of the

different treatments.

4. Comparison of Results: Stochastic to Low-Cost, Intermediate, and

High-Cost Alternatives

This section compares results from two different approaches for determining

ranges of uncertainty for trust fund actuarial status. One approach uses

 Figure VI.E2.—Long-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratios From Stochastic Modeling

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

500%

2012 2027 2042 2057 2072 2087

Projection year

50%

97.5%

2.5%

90%

10%
183

Stochastic Projections 

results from the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost alternative scenarios.

The other approach uses stochastic distributions of results. Each of these

approaches provides insights into uncertainty. Comparison of the results

requires an understanding of the differences in the approaches. Two fundamental differences exist between the approach using alternative scenarios

and the stochastic approach.

The first fundamental difference relates to presentation of results. Figure

VI.E3 shows projected OASDI annual cost rates for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost alternatives along with the annual cost rates at the 97.5th

percentile, 50th percentile, and 2.5th percentile for the stochastic simulations. While all values on each line for the alternatives are results from a single specified scenario, the values on each stochastic line may be results from

different simulations for different years. The one stochastic simulation (from

the 5,000 simulations) that yields results closest to a particular percentile in

1 year may yield results that are distant from that percentile in another year.

Thus, the stochastic presentation illustrates distributions of the range of

potential results 1 year at a time, with no direct relationship of the results

among years.

 Figure VI.E3.—OASDI Cost Rates: Comparison of Stochastic to Low-Cost, Intermediate, 

and High-Cost Alternatives

[as a percentage of taxable payroll]

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

2012 2027 2042 2057 2072 2087

Projection year

Low-Cost

Intermediate

High-Cost

Stochastic 2.5%

Stochastic 50%

Stochastic 97.5%
Appendices

184

Even with this fundamental difference in the presentation of results, figure

VI.E3 shows similar results between the range of OASDI cost rates resulting

from the alternatives and from the 95-percent confidence interval of stochastic results. The cost rates for the high-cost alternative are similar to the stochastic year-by-year results at the 97.5th percentile. The intermediate

alternative results show slightly higher cost rates than the stochastic year-byyear results at the 50th percentile. The largest differences are between the

low-cost alternative and the stochastic year-by-year results at the 2.5th percentile. For this comparison, cost rates are higher for the low-cost alternative

than for the stochastic year-by-year results at the 2.5th percentile for years

before 2020 and after 2040.

The second fundamental difference between the alternatives and the stochastic simulations is the method of assigning values for assumptions in the simulations. For the alternatives, the Trustees assign specific values for key

demographic and economic variables. In comparison to the intermediate

alternative, each value assigned to the high-cost alternative tends to raise

estimated program cost and each value assigned to the low-cost alternative

tends to reduce it. In contrast, the stochastic method randomly assigns values

for the key demographic and economic variables in each of the 5,000 independent stochastic simulations. For each of the stochastic simulations,

assigned values for the various assumptions may have varying effects on

projected cost, with some tending toward higher cost and some tending

toward lower cost. Nonetheless, figure VI.E3 shows that the ranges in cost

rates for the alternatives and the 95-percent confidence interval of stochastic

simulations are similar. The principal difference is that the low-cost and

intermediate scenarios generate cost rates after 2040 that are somewhat

higher than the 2.5th-percentile and median stochastic results, respectively.

Accordingly, the alternatives produce a narrower, less optimistic range of

cost rates than do the stochastic simulations.

In contrast, the alternatives produce a wider, more optimistic range of trust

fund (unfunded obligation) ratios than do the stochastic simulations. Figure

VI.E4 compares the ranges of trust fund (unfunded obligation) ratios for the

alternative scenarios and the 95-percent confidence interval of the stochastic

simulations. This figure extends figure IV.E2 to show unfunded obligation

ratios, expressed as negative values below the zero percent line. Unfunded

obligation ratios are the ratio of the unfunded obligation at the beginning of

the year to the present value of annual cost for that year. Figure VI.E4 presents a more complete picture of the difference between the results from the

three alternative scenarios and the stochastic simulations.
185

Stochastic Projections 

As with cost rates, the trust fund (unfunded obligation) ratios differ most

notably in the comparison of the results from the low-cost alternative to the

97.5th-percentile results from the stochastic simulations. However, the direction of the difference reverses. While cost rates are considerably less optimistic for the low-cost alternative than for the 2.5th-percentile results of the

stochastic simulations, the trust fund (unfunded obligation) ratios for the

low-cost scenario are more optimistic than the 97.5th-percentile results of the

stochastic simulations. A similar relationship exists for the high-cost results,

where the alternative scenario and the stochastic results have similar cost

rates but the alternative scenario has higher (more favorable) trust fund

(unfunded obligation) ratios toward the end of the period.

This reversal is explainable. Projections of trust fund (unfunded obligation)

ratios shown in figure VI.E4 require an additional variable not reflected in

the cost rates shown in figure VI.E3. This additional variable is the real interest rate. For the alternatives, the Trustees assign higher real interest rates for

the low-cost alternative and lower real interest rates for the high-cost alternative. Under the limitations imposed by the law, where the trust funds cannot

borrow, a lower real interest rate is relatively pessimistic and thus consistent

with the high-cost alternative. However, in order to show the size of the

cumulative shortfall of non-interest income relative to scheduled cost, or the

unfunded obligation, that would not be payable under current law, the Trustees project the cost of scheduled benefits, even after the point at which trust

fund reserves become exhausted. In the case of the high-cost alternative, the

relatively low assumed interest rates have the effect of making this unfunded

obligation smaller than it otherwise would be. For the low-cost alternative,

the relatively high assumed real interest rates help maintain trust fund

reserves and account for the fact that the trust fund reserves remain positive

throughout the 75-year projection period. This assignment of real interest

rates elevates the level of the trust fund (unfunded obligation) ratio for both

low-cost and high-cost alternatives compared to the expected result without

variation in real interest rates across alternatives.

The stochastic model, however, assigns real interest randomly, yielding rates

with no correlation to the overall “optimism” or “pessimism” of the other

variable assignments. The tendency for elevated trust fund (unfunded obligation) ratios resulting from the assignment of real interest rates in both the

high-cost and low-cost alternatives is not present in the stochastic results.

The relationship between cost rates for the alternatives and cost rates for the

stochastic simulations, as shown in figure IV.E3, is therefore different from

the relationship between the trust fund (unfunded obligation) ratios for the

alternatives and the stochastic simulations as shown in figure IV.E4. Figure
Appendices

186

IV.E4 shows trust fund (unfunded obligation) ratios that tend to be higher

(more optimistic) for the extreme alternatives than for the extreme stochastic

results, which is contrary to the elevated cost rates (more pessimistic) for the

extreme alternatives. This contrary effect is more evident for the low-cost

alternative, which has substantially higher cost rates (more pessimistic) than

the stochastic 2.5th percentile for most years, but has substantially higher

trust fund reserves (more optimistic) throughout the projection period.

This contrast in results and methods does not mean that either approach to

illustrating ranges of uncertainty is superior to the other. The ranges are different and explainable. 

Table VI.E1 displays long-range actuarial estimates for the combined

OASDI program using the two methods of illustrating uncertainty: (1) alternative scenarios and (2) stochastic simulations. The table shows stochastic

estimates for the median (50th percentile) and for the 95-percent and 80-percent confidence intervals. For comparison, the table shows scenario-based

 Figure VI.E4.—OASDI Trust Fund (Unfunded Obligation) Ratios: Comparison of 

Stochastic to Low-Cost, Intermediate, and High-Cost Alternativesa

[Assets (Unfunded obligation) as a percentage of annual cost]

a An unfunded obligation, shown as a negative value in this figure, is equivalent to the amount the trust

funds would need to have borrowed to date in order to pay all scheduled benefits (on a timely basis) after

trust fund assets are exhausted. Note that current law does not permit the trust funds to borrow.

-3500%

-3000%

-2500%

-2000%

-1500%

-1000%

-500%

0%

500%

2012 2027 2042 2057 2072 2087

Projection year

Low-Cost

Intermediate

High-Cost

Stochastic 2.5%

Stochastic 50%

Stochastic 97.5%

Trustfund assets (positive)

Unfunded obligation (negative)
187

Stochastic Projections 

estimates for the intermediate, low-cost, and high-cost assumptions. Each

individual stochastic estimate in the table is the level at that percentile from

the distribution of the 5,000 simulations. For each given percentile, the values in the table for each long-range actuarial measure are generally from different stochastic simulations.

The median stochastic estimates displayed in table VI.E1 are, in general,

slightly more optimistic than the intermediate-alternative scenario-based

estimates. The median estimate of the long-range actuarial balance is -2.50

percent of taxable payroll, about 0.17 percentage point higher than projected

under the intermediate assumptions. The median year that cost first exceeds

non-interest income (and remains in excess of non-interest income throughout the remainder of the long-range period) is 2012, the same year as projected under the intermediate assumptions. The median year that assets first

become exhausted is 2033, also the same as projected under the intermediate

assumptions. The median estimates of the annual cost rate for the 75th year

of the projection period are 17.43 percent of taxable payroll and 5.77 percent

of gross domestic product (GDP). The comparable estimates under the intermediate assumptions are 17.83 percent of payroll and 6.10 percent of GDP.

A comparison of the 95-percent confidence interval to the range of variation

defined by the traditional low-cost and high-cost alternatives follows. For

three measures in table VI.E1 (the actuarial balance, the open group

unfunded obligation, and the first year assets become exhausted), the 95-percent stochastic confidence interval is narrower than the range defined by the

low-cost and high-cost alternatives. In other words, for these measures, the

range defined by the low-cost and high-cost alternatives contains the 95-percent confidence interval of the stochastic modeling projections. For one measure (the first year cost exceeds non-interest income and remains in excess

through 2086), the low-cost and high-cost estimates are consistent with the

bounds of the 95-percent stochastic confidence interval. For the remaining

two measures (the annual costs in the 75th year), one or both of the bounds

of the 95-percent stochastic confidence interval fall outside the range defined

by the low-cost and high-cost alternatives.
Appendices

188

Table VI.E1.—Long-Range Estimates Relating to the Actuarial Status of

the Combined OASDI Program

[Comparison of scenario-based and stochastic results]

Traditional

scenario-based model Stochastic model

IntermediateLowcostHighcost

Median

50th

percentile

80-percent

confidence interval

95-percent

confidence interval

10th

percentile

90th

percentile

2.5th

percentile

97.5th

percentile

Actuarial balance . . . . . . -2.67 -0.11 -5.89 -2.50 -3.91 -1.11 -4.71 -0.39

Open group unfunded 

obligation (in trillions) $8.6 -$0.1 $18.3 $8.2 $13.5 $3.6 $16.9 $1.0

First projected year cost 

exceeds non-interest 

income and remains in 

excess through 2086a .

a Cost began to exceed non-interest income prior to 2012.

2012 b

b The annual balance is negative for a temporary period and returns to positive levels before the end of the

projection period.

2012 2012 2012 c

c For this percentile, cost does not exceed non-interest income in 2086.

2012 c

First year assets become 

exhaustedd. . . . . . . . . .

d For some stochastic simulations, the first year in which trust fund assets become exhausted does not indicate a permanent exhaustion of assets.

2033 e

e The fund does not become exhausted within the projection period.

2027 2033 2030 2037 2029 2041

Annual cost in 75th year 

(percent of taxable

payroll) . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.83 12.96 25.16 17.43 12.85 22.10 11.09 24.83

Annual cost in 75th year 

(percent of GDP). . . . . 6.10 4.83 7.91 5.77 3.74 7.52 3.05 8.45
189

OASDI and HI: Percent of Payroll

F. ESTIMATES FOR OASDI AND HI, SEPARATE AND COMBINED

In this appendix, the Trustees present long-range actuarial estimates for the

OASDI and Hospital Insurance (HI) programs both separately and on a combined basis. These estimates facilitate analysis of the adequacy of the income

and assets of these programs relative to their cost under current law. This

appendix does not include estimates for the Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program because adequate financing is guaranteed in the law,

and because the SMI program is not financed through a payroll tax. For more

information on Medicare estimates, please see the 2012 Medicare Trustees

Report.

The emphasis in this appendix on combined operations, while significant,

should not obscure the analysis of the financial status of the individual trust

funds, which are legally separate and cannot be commingled. In addition, the

factors which determine the costs of the OASI, DI, and HI programs differ

substantially.

1. Estimates as a Percentage of Taxable Payroll

Comparing cost and income rates for the OASDI and HI programs as percentages of taxable payroll requires a note of caution. The taxable payrolls

for the HI program are larger than those estimated for the OASDI program

because: (1) a larger maximum taxable amount was established for the HI

program in 1991, with the maximum eliminated altogether for the HI program in 1994; (2) a larger proportion of Federal, State, and local government

employees are covered under the HI program; and (3) the earnings of railroad workers are included directly in the HI taxable payroll but not in the

OASDI taxable payroll. (Railroad contributions for the equivalent of OASDI

benefits are accounted for in a net interchange that occurs annually between

the OASDI and Railroad Retirement programs.) As a result, the HI taxable

payroll is about 26 percent larger than the OASDI taxable payroll throughout

the long-range period. Nonetheless, in this section the separately derived

rates for the programs are added to produce combined OASDI and HI rates.

As with the OASI and DI Trust Funds, income to the HI Trust Fund comes

primarily from contributions paid by employees, employers, and selfemployed persons. Table VI.F1 shows the OASDI and HI contribution rates

that are authorized in the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
Appendices

190

Table VI.F2 shows the Trustees’ estimates of annual income rates and cost

rates for the OASDI program, the HI program, and the combined OASDI and

HI programs, under the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost sets of assumptions described earlier in this report. The income rates reflect the tax rates

Table VI.F1.—Payroll Tax Contribution Rates for the OASDI and HI Programs

[In percent]

Calendar years

Employees and employers, 

combineda

a Except as noted below, the combined employee/employer rate is divided equally between employees and

employers.

Employees 

only Self employedb

b Beginning in 1990, self-employed persons receive a deduction, for purposes of computing their net earnings, equal to half of the combined OASDI and HI contributions that would be payable without regard to the

contribution and benefit base. The OASDI contribution rate then applies to net earnings after this deduction,

but subject to the OASDI base.

OASDI

up to basec

c The payroll tax on earnings for the OASDI program applies to annual earnings up to a contribution and

benefit base indexed to the average wage level. The base is $106,800 for 2011.

HI

all earningsd

d Prior to 1994, the payroll tax on earnings for the HI program applied to annual earnings up to a contribution base. The HI contribution base was eliminated beginning in 1994.

HI

over limite

e Starting with Federal personal income tax returns for 2013, earned income exceeding $200,000 for individual filers and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly is subject to an additional HI tax of 0.9 percent.

These income limits are not indexed after 2013.

OASDI

up to basec HI

all earningsd HIover limite

1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.70 0.70 — 5.80 0.35 —

1967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.80 1.00 — 5.90 .50 —

1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.60 1.20 — 5.80 .60 —

1969-70 . . . . . . . . . . 8.40 1.20 — 6.30 .60 —

1971-72 . . . . . . . . . . 9.20 1.20 — 6.90 .60 —

1973 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.70 2.00 — 7.00 1.00 —

1974-77 . . . . . . . . . . 9.90 1.80 — 7.00 .90 —

1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.10 2.00 — 7.10 1.00 —

1979-80 . . . . . . . . . . 10.16 2.10 — 7.05 1.05 —

1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.70 2.60 — 8.00 1.30 —

1982-83 . . . . . . . . . . 10.80 2.60 — 8.05 1.30 —

1984f. . . . . . . . . . . . .

f In 1984 only, employees received an immediate credit of 0.3 percent of taxable wages against their OASDI

payroll tax contributions. The self-employed received similar credits of 2.7 percent, 2.3 percent, and

2.0 percent against their combined OASDI and Hospital Insurance (HI) contributions on net earnings from

self-employment in 1984, 1985, and 1986-89, respectively. The General Fund of the Treasury reimbursed

the trust funds for these credits. 

11.40 2.60 — 11.40 2.60 —

1985f . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.40 2.70 — 11.40 2.70 —

1986-87f . . . . . . . . . . 11.40 2.90 — 11.40 2.90 —

1988-89f . . . . . . . . . . 12.12 2.90 — 12.12 2.90 —

1990-2010g. . . . . . . .

g Public Law 111-147 exempted most employers from paying the employer share of OASDI payroll tax on

wages paid during the period March 19, 2010 through December 31, 2010 to certain qualified individuals

hired after February 3, 2010. Public Law 111-312, Public Law 112-78, and Public Law 112-96 reduced the

OASDI payroll tax rate for 2011 and 2012 by 2 percentage points for employees and for self-employed

workers. These laws require that the General Fund of the Treasury reimburse the OASI and DI Trust Funds

for these temporary reductions in 2010, 2011, and 2012 payroll tax revenue, in order to “replicate to the

extent possible” revenue that would have been received if the combined employee/employer payroll tax

rates had remained at 12.4 percent for OASDI (10.6 percent for OASI and 1.8 percent for DI).

12.40 2.90 — 12.40 2.90 —

2011-2012g. . . . . . . . 10.40 2.90 — 10.40 2.90 —

2013 and later. . . . . . 12.40 2.90 0.90 12.40 2.90 0.90
191

OASDI and HI: Percent of Payroll

shown in table VI.F1. For the HI program, the income rates beginning in

2013 reflect: (1) the additional 0.9 percent tax on employees for relatively

high earnings; and (2) the portion of total payroll to which the 0.9 percent

rate applies. Annual income and cost rates indicate the cash-flow operation

of the programs. Therefore, income rates exclude interest earned on trust

fund assets. Table VI.F2 also shows annual balances, which are the differences between annual income rates and cost rates. Estimates shown for the

combined trust funds are theoretical because there is no current statutory

authority for borrowing by or transfers among these trust funds.

The Trustees project that the combined OASDI and HI cost rate will rise

generally above current levels under the intermediate and high-cost sets of

assumptions, with the greatest increase occurring during the period 2018-35.

Under both the intermediate and the high-cost assumptions, the Trustees

project annual deficits for the combined programs in each year of the 75-year

projection period. Under the intermediate assumptions, the combined cost

rate increases by 37 percent from its current level by 2086, while under the

high-cost assumptions, the cost rate more than doubles by 2086. Under the

low-cost assumptions, the combined cost rate decreases by 7 percent by the

end of the period, with positive annual balances in all years except for

2012-15 and 2023-50.
Appendices

192

Table VI.F2.—OASDI and HI Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances,

Calendar Years 2012-90

[As a percentage of taxable payroll a]

Calendar year

OASDI HI Combined

Income

rate

Cost

rate Balance

Income

rate

Cost

rate Balance

Income

rate

Cost

rate Balance

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . . 12.89 13.83 -0.93 3.20 3.73 -0.53 16.10 17.55 -1.46

2013 . . . . . . 12.83 13.95 -1.12 3.31 3.70 -.39 16.14 17.65 -1.51

2014 . . . . . . 12.93 13.98 -1.05 3.33 3.66 -.33 16.26 17.64 -1.38

2015 . . . . . . 12.95 13.97 -1.01 3.35 3.54 -.19 16.30 17.51 -1.20

2016 . . . . . . 12.98 13.94 -.96 3.37 3.50 -.13 16.35 17.44 -1.09

2017 . . . . . . 13.01 13.91 -.91 3.40 3.48 -.09 16.40 17.40 -1.00

2018 . . . . . . 13.03 13.96 -.93 3.41 3.50 -.08 16.45 17.46 -1.01

2019 . . . . . . 13.05 14.13 -1.08 3.43 3.54 -.11 16.49 17.68 -1.19

2020 . . . . . . 13.07 14.37 -1.30 3.46 3.61 -.15 16.53 17.99 -1.46

2021 . . . . . . 13.11 14.65 -1.55 3.48 3.69 -.21 16.59 18.35 -1.76

2025 . . . . . . 13.18 15.88 -2.70 3.56 4.16 -.60 16.74 20.04 -3.30

2030 . . . . . . 13.25 17.01 -3.76 3.65 4.68 -1.04 16.90 21.69 -4.79

2035 . . . . . . 13.28 17.41 -4.13 3.72 5.19 -1.47 17.00 22.60 -5.60

2040 . . . . . . 13.28 17.36 -4.07 3.78 5.54 -1.77 17.06 22.90 -5.84

2045 . . . . . . 13.28 17.19 -3.91 3.83 5.74 -1.90 17.11 22.92 -5.81

2050 . . . . . . 13.27 17.08 -3.81 3.90 5.82 -1.93 17.17 22.90 -5.73

2055 . . . . . . 13.28 17.09 -3.81 3.96 5.85 -1.88 17.24 22.94 -5.70

2060 . . . . . . 13.28 17.16 -3.87 4.03 5.91 -1.87 17.32 23.06 -5.74

2065 . . . . . . 13.29 17.20 -3.91 4.10 6.02 -1.92 17.38 23.22 -5.83

2070 . . . . . . 13.30 17.33 -4.03 4.16 6.16 -2.00 17.45 23.48 -6.03

2075 . . . . . . 13.31 17.46 -4.16 4.21 6.26 -2.05 17.52 23.72 -6.20

2080 . . . . . . 13.32 17.60 -4.29 4.26 6.29 -2.03 17.58 23.90 -6.32

2085 . . . . . . 13.33 17.79 -4.47 4.31 6.29 -1.97 17.64 24.08 -6.44

2090 . . . . . . 13.34 17.98 -4.64 4.36 6.27 -1.91 17.70 24.25 -6.55

Low-cost:

2012 . . . . . . 12.83 13.63 -.79 3.20 3.60 -.40 16.03 17.22 -1.19

2013 . . . . . . 12.87 13.52 -.65 3.30 3.49 -.19 16.17 17.01 -.85

2014 . . . . . . 12.90 13.30 -.40 3.32 3.39 -.07 16.22 16.69 -.47

2015 . . . . . . 12.92 13.09 -.18 3.33 3.21 .12 16.25 16.30 -.06

2016 . . . . . . 12.94 12.93 .01 3.35 3.11 .24 16.29 16.04 .25

2017 . . . . . . 12.96 12.84 .12 3.37 3.04 .33 16.33 15.88 .45

2018 . . . . . . 12.99 12.83 .16 3.39 3.00 .39 16.37 15.83 .55

2019 . . . . . . 13.00 12.92 .08 3.40 2.98 .43 16.40 15.90 .50

2020 . . . . . . 13.01 13.05 -.04 3.42 2.98 .44 16.44 16.04 .40

2021 . . . . . . 13.04 13.21 -.17 3.44 2.99 .44 16.48 16.20 .28

2025 . . . . . . 13.09 14.05 -.96 3.50 3.13 .37 16.59 17.18 -.59

2030 . . . . . . 13.14 14.79 -1.65 3.57 3.22 .35 16.71 18.01 -1.30

2035 . . . . . . 13.16 14.90 -1.75 3.62 3.26 .36 16.78 18.16 -1.39

2040 . . . . . . 13.15 14.64 -1.49 3.67 3.18 .49 16.81 17.81 -1.00

2045 . . . . . . 13.13 14.28 -1.15 3.71 3.05 .66 16.84 17.33 -.49

2050 . . . . . . 13.12 14.00 -.88 3.76 2.93 .83 16.87 16.93 -.06

2055 . . . . . . 13.11 13.82 -.71 3.81 2.84 .97 16.92 16.66 .25

2060 . . . . . . 13.10 13.66 -.56 3.86 2.83 1.03 16.97 16.50 .47

2065 . . . . . . 13.09 13.45 -.36 3.91 2.89 1.02 17.00 16.34 .67

2070 . . . . . . 13.08 13.28 -.19 3.96 2.96 1.00 17.04 16.23 .81

2075 . . . . . . 13.08 13.11 -.03 4.00 3.00 1.00 17.08 16.11 .97

2080 . . . . . . 13.07 12.97 .10 4.04 3.02 1.02 17.11 15.99 1.12

2085 . . . . . . 13.07 12.95 .12 4.08 3.02 1.07 17.15 15.97 1.18

2090 . . . . . . 13.07 13.00 .07 4.12 3.01 1.11 17.19 16.01 1.19
193

OASDI and HI: Percent of Payroll

Notes:

1. The income rate excludes interest income.

2. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.F3 shows summarized values over the 25-year, 50-year, and 75-

year valuation periods. For each of those periods, the summarized income

rates include beginning fund balances, and the summarized cost rates include

the cost of accumulating an ending fund balance equal to 100 percent of

annual cost at the end of the period. Estimates for the combined trust funds

are theoretical because there is no authority for borrowing by or transfers

among these trust funds.

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . . 12.99 14.12 -1.13 3.21 3.89 -0.69 16.20 18.01 -1.82

2013 . . . . . . 12.77 14.48 -1.71 3.32 3.94 -.62 16.09 18.42 -2.33

2014 . . . . . . 12.97 14.82 -1.84 3.35 3.98 -.64 16.32 18.80 -2.48

2015 . . . . . . 13.00 15.05 -2.05 3.37 3.94 -.57 16.37 18.99 -2.62

2016 . . . . . . 13.03 15.20 -2.17 3.40 3.98 -.58 16.43 19.18 -2.75

2017 . . . . . . 13.07 15.31 -2.24 3.43 4.04 -.61 16.49 19.35 -2.85

2018 . . . . . . 13.10 15.44 -2.34 3.45 4.13 -.68 16.55 19.57 -3.02

2019 . . . . . . 13.12 15.65 -2.53 3.47 4.26 -.79 16.59 19.91 -3.32

2020 . . . . . . 13.14 15.94 -2.80 3.50 4.43 -.93 16.64 20.38 -3.73

2021 . . . . . . 13.18 16.32 -3.14 3.53 4.63 -1.10 16.71 20.94 -4.23

2025 . . . . . . 13.28 17.94 -4.66 3.62 5.63 -2.01 16.90 23.57 -6.67

2030 . . . . . . 13.37 19.53 -6.16 3.73 7.00 -3.27 17.11 26.53 -9.42

2035 . . . . . . 13.42 20.36 -6.93 3.83 8.59 -4.76 17.25 28.95 -11.70

2040 . . . . . . 13.45 20.68 -7.23 3.91 10.09 -6.19 17.36 30.78 -13.42

2045 . . . . . . 13.46 20.87 -7.40 3.99 11.26 -7.27 17.45 32.12 -14.67

2050 . . . . . . 13.48 21.10 -7.62 4.07 12.06 -7.99 17.55 33.16 -15.61

2055 . . . . . . 13.50 21.47 -7.97 4.16 12.53 -8.37 17.66 34.01 -16.34

2060 . . . . . . 13.53 21.94 -8.40 4.25 12.82 -8.58 17.78 34.76 -16.98

2065 . . . . . . 13.56 22.43 -8.87 4.33 13.07 -8.74 17.89 35.50 -17.61

2070 . . . . . . 13.60 23.08 -9.47 4.41 13.37 -8.97 18.01 36.45 -18.44

2075 . . . . . . 13.64 23.77 -10.12 4.48 13.59 -9.11 18.13 37.36 -19.23

2080 . . . . . . 13.68 24.44 -10.76 4.55 13.66 -9.11 18.24 38.10 -19.86

2085 . . . . . . 13.72 25.05 -11.33 4.62 13.65 -9.03 18.34 38.70 -20.36

2090 . . . . . . 13.75 25.54 -11.79 4.68 13.61 -8.93 18.43 39.16 -20.73

a The taxable payroll for HI is significantly larger than the taxable payroll for OASDI because the HI taxable

maximum amount was eliminated beginning in 1994, and because HI covers all Federal civilian employees,

all State and local government employees hired after April 1, 1986, and railroad employees. Combined

OASDI and HI rates are the sum of the separately derived rates for each program.

Table VI.F2.—OASDI and HI Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances,

Calendar Years 2012-90 (Cont.)

[As a percentage of taxable payroll a]

Calendar year

OASDI HI Combined

Income

rate

Cost

rate Balance

Income

rate

Cost

rate Balance

Income

rate

Cost

rate Balance
Appendices

194

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

The Trustees project that the combined OASDI and HI system will experience large actuarial deficits for the 25-year, 50-year, and 75-year valuation

periods under the high-cost assumptions. Actuarial deficits under the intermediate assumptions are smaller than those for the high-cost assumptions for

all three valuation periods. The combined OASDI and HI system has a positive actuarial balance under the low-cost assumptions for all three valuation

periods.

Table VI.F3.—Summarized OASDI and HI Income Rates and Cost Rates for Valuation 

Periods,a Calendar Years 2012-90

[As a percentage of taxable payrollb]

a Income rates include beginning trust fund balances and cost rates include the cost of reaching an ending target trust fund equal to 100 percent of annual cost at the end of the period.

b The taxable payroll for HI is significantly larger than the taxable payroll for OASDI because the HI taxable

maximum amount was eliminated beginning 1994, and because HI covers all Federal civilian employees, all

State and local government employees hired after April 1, 1986, and railroad employees. Combined OASDI

and HI rates are computed as the sum of the separately derived rates for each program.

Valuation

period 

OASDI HI Combined

Income

rate

 Cost

rate

Actuarial

balance

Income

rate

 Cost

rate

Actuarial

balance

Income

rate

 Cost

rate

Actuarial

balance

Intermediate:

25-year:

2012-36. . . . . . 14.97 16.18 -1.21 3.66 4.34 -0.69 18.62 20.52 -1.90

50-year:

2012-61. . . . . . 14.24 16.52 -2.28 3.75 4.92 -1.17 17.99 21.44 -3.45

75-year:

2012-86. . . . . . 14.02 16.69 -2.67 3.86 5.21 -1.35 17.88 21.89 -4.02

Low-cost:

25-year:

2012-36. . . . . . 14.84 14.46 .38 3.60 3.30 .31 18.45 17.76 .69

50-year:

2012-61. . . . . . 14.08 14.24 -.16 3.67 3.14 .52 17.75 17.38 .36

75-year:

2012-86. . . . . . 13.82 13.93 -.11 3.75 3.09 .66 17.57 17.02 .55

High-cost:

25-year:

2012-36. . . . . . 15.09 18.22 -3.13 3.72 5.92 -2.20 18.81 24.14 -5.32

50-year:

2012-61. . . . . . 14.41 19.32 -4.91 3.85 8.21 -4.35 18.27 27.53 -9.26

75-year:

2012-86. . . . . . 14.25 20.14 -5.89 3.98 9.25 -5.27 18.23 29.39 -11.17
195

OASDI and HI: Percent of GDP

2. Estimates as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product

This section contains long-range projections of the operations of the combined Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASI and

DI) Trust Funds and of the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund, expressed as

a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). While expressing fund operations as a percentage of taxable payroll is the most useful approach for

assessing the financial status of the programs (see section IV.B.1), expressing them as a percentage of the total value of goods and services produced in

the United States provides an additional perspective.

Table VI.F4 shows non-interest income, total cost, and the resulting balance

of the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, of the HI Trust Fund, and of the

combined OASI, DI, and HI Trust Funds, expressed as percentages of GDP

on the basis of each of the three alternative sets of assumptions. Table VI.F4

also contains estimates of GDP. For OASDI, non-interest income consists of

payroll tax contributions, proceeds from taxation of benefits, and reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury, if any. Cost consists of benefit

payments, administrative expenses, financial interchange with the Railroad

Retirement program, and payments for vocational rehabilitation services for

disabled beneficiaries. For HI, non-interest income consists of payroll tax

contributions (including contributions from railroad employment), up to an

additional 0.9 percent tax on earned income for relatively high earners, proceeds from taxation of OASDI benefits, and reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury, if any. Cost consists of outlays (benefits and

administrative expenses) for insured beneficiaries. The Trustees show

income and cost estimates on a cash basis for the OASDI program and on an

incurred basis for the HI program.

The Trustees project the OASDI annual balance (non-interest income less

cost) as a percentage of GDP to be negative from 2012 through 2015 under

all three sets of assumptions. Under the low-cost assumptions, the OASDI

annual balance as a percentage of GDP is positive from 2016 through 2019.

After 2019, deficits increase to a peak in 2033 and decrease thereafter. By

2076, the OASDI balance becomes positive, reaching 0.04 percent of GDP

in 2086. Under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees estimate that the

OASDI balance will be negative for all years of the projection period.

Annual deficits decrease from 2013 through 2017, increase from 2017

through 2036, decrease from 2036 through 2053, and increase thereafter.

Under the high-cost assumptions, the OASDI balance is negative, with

increasing deficits throughout the projection period.

The Trustees project that the HI balance as a percentage of GDP will be negative from 2012 through 2014 under the low-cost assumptions, and then pos-
Appendices

196

itive and generally increasing thereafter. Under the intermediate

assumptions, the HI balance is negative throughout the projection period.

Annual deficits decline through 2018, reach a peak in 2047, and remain relatively stable thereafter. Under the high-cost assumptions, the HI balance is

negative for all years of the projection period. Annual deficits reach a peak in

2074 and decline thereafter.

The combined OASDI and HI annual balance as a percentage of GDP is negative throughout the projection period under both the intermediate and highcost assumptions. Under the low-cost assumptions, the combined OASDI

and HI balance is negative from 2012 through 2015, positive from 2016

through 2022, negative from 2023 through 2048, and then positive and rising

thereafter. Under the intermediate assumptions, combined OASDI and HI

annual deficits decline from 2013 through 2017, and then rise, reaching a

peak in 2041. After 2041, annual deficits fluctuate between about 2.2 percent

and 2.4 percent of GDP. Under the high-cost assumptions, combined annual

deficits rise throughout the projection period.

By 2086, the combined OASDI and HI annual balances as percentages of

GDP range from a positive balance of 0.54 percent for the low-cost assumptions to a deficit of 7.23 percent for the high-cost assumptions. Balances differ by a smaller amount for the tenth year, 2021, and range from a positive

balance of 0.15 percent for the low-cost assumptions to a deficit of 1.67 percent for the high-cost assumptions.

The summarized long-range (75-year) balance as a percentage of GDP for

the combined OASDI and HI programs varies among the three alternatives

by a relatively large amount, from a positive balance of 0.26 percent under

the low-cost assumptions to a deficit of 4.40 percent under the high-cost

assumptions. The 25-year summarized balance varies by a smaller amount,

from a positive balance of 0.29 percent to a deficit of 2.15 percent. Summarized rates are calculated on a present-value basis. They include the trust

fund balances on January 1, 2012 and the cost of reaching a target trust fund

level equal to 100 percent of the following year’s annual cost at the end of

the period. (See section IV.B.4 for further explanation.)
197

OASDI and HI: Percent of GDP

Table VI.F4.—OASDI and HI Annual and Summarized Income, Cost, and Balance

as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 2012-90

Calendar year

Percentage of GDP GDP in

dollars

(billions)

OASDI HI Combined

Incomea Cost Balance Incomea Cost Balance Incomea Cost Balance

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . . 4.67 5.01 -0.34 1.46 1.70 -0.24 6.12 6.70 -0.58 $15,757

2013 . . . . . . 4.66 5.06 -.41 1.51 1.69 -.18 6.17 6.75 -.58 16,441

2014 . . . . . . 4.71 5.09 -.38 1.53 1.68 -.15 6.23 6.77 -.53 17,300

2015 . . . . . . 4.73 5.10 -.37 1.55 1.63 -.09 6.27 6.73 -.46 18,303

2016 . . . . . . 4.76 5.11 -.35 1.56 1.63 -.06 6.32 6.74 -.41 19,340

2017 . . . . . . 4.81 5.14 -.33 1.59 1.63 -.04 6.39 6.77 -.38 20,392

2018 . . . . . . 4.85 5.19 -.34 1.61 1.64 -.04 6.46 6.84 -.38 21,458

2019 . . . . . . 4.87 5.28 -.40 1.62 1.67 -.05 6.49 6.94 -.45 22,488

2020 . . . . . . 4.89 5.38 -.49 1.63 1.70 -.07 6.52 7.08 -.56 23,525

2021 . . . . . . 4.91 5.49 -.58 1.64 1.74 -.10 6.54 7.22 -.68 24,597

2025 . . . . . . 4.89 5.89 -1.00 1.66 1.94 -.28 6.54 7.83 -1.28 29,392

2030 . . . . . . 4.87 6.25 -1.38 1.68 2.16 -.48 6.55 8.41 -1.86 36,679

2035 . . . . . . 4.85 6.36 -1.51 1.71 2.38 -.68 6.56 8.74 -2.18 45,940

2040 . . . . . . 4.83 6.31 -1.48 1.72 2.53 -.81 6.55 8.84 -2.29 57,653

2045 . . . . . . 4.79 6.21 -1.41 1.74 2.60 -.86 6.53 8.81 -2.28 72,302

2050 . . . . . . 4.76 6.12 -1.36 1.76 2.62 -.87 6.51 8.75 -2.23 90,396

2055 . . . . . . 4.73 6.08 -1.36 1.77 2.62 -.84 6.50 8.70 -2.20 112,810

2060 . . . . . . 4.69 6.06 -1.37 1.79 2.63 -.83 6.49 8.69 -2.20 140,739

2065 . . . . . . 4.66 6.04 -1.37 1.81 2.66 -.85 6.47 8.69 -2.22 175,704

2070 . . . . . . 4.63 6.04 -1.40 1.82 2.70 -.88 6.45 8.74 -2.28 219,280

2075 . . . . . . 4.61 6.04 -1.44 1.83 2.73 -.89 6.44 8.77 -2.33 273,504

2080 . . . . . . 4.58 6.06 -1.48 1.85 2.73 -.88 6.43 8.78 -2.35 340,865

2085 . . . . . . 4.56 6.09 -1.53 1.86 2.71 -.85 6.42 8.80 -2.38 424,327

2090 . . . . . . 4.55 6.13 -1.58 1.87 2.69 -.82 6.42 8.82 -2.40 527,996

Summarized rates: b

25-year:

 2012-36 . . . 5.52 5.97 -.45 1.70 2.01 -.32 7.21 7.98 -.77

50-year:

 2012-61 . . . 5.19 6.02 -.83 1.72 2.26 -.54 6.91 8.28 -1.37

75-year

 2012-86 . . . 5.05 6.01 -.96 1.75 2.36 -.61 6.80 8.37 -1.57

Low-cost:

2012 . . . . . . 4.65 4.93 -.29 1.46 1.64 -.18 6.10 6.57 -.47 15,936

2013 . . . . . . 4.67 4.91 -.24 1.51 1.60 -.09 6.18 6.50 -.32 16,827

2014 . . . . . . 4.71 4.86 -.15 1.53 1.56 -.03 6.24 6.42 -.18 17,803

2015 . . . . . . 4.75 4.81 -.07 1.54 1.48 .06 6.29 6.30 -.01 18,849

2016 . . . . . . 4.80 4.79 c 1.56 1.45 .11 6.35 6.24 .11 19,883

2017 . . . . . . 4.86 4.82 .04 1.58 1.43 .15 6.44 6.24 .20 20,803

2018 . . . . . . 4.92 4.86 .06 1.60 1.41 .18 6.52 6.28 .24 21,719

2019 . . . . . . 4.95 4.92 .03 1.61 1.41 .20 6.56 6.33 .23 22,645

2020 . . . . . . 4.98 4.99 -.02 1.62 1.41 .21 6.59 6.40 .19 23,601

2021 . . . . . . 4.99 5.06 -.06 1.63 1.42 .21 6.62 6.47 .15 24,596

2025 . . . . . . 4.98 5.34 -.36 1.64 1.47 .17 6.62 6.81 -.19 28,972

2030 . . . . . . 4.97 5.59 -.62 1.66 1.50 .16 6.63 7.09 -.46 35,463

2035 . . . . . . 4.96 5.62 -.66 1.69 1.52 .17 6.64 7.14 -.49 43,558

2040 . . . . . . 4.95 5.51 -.56 1.70 1.48 .23 6.65 6.98 -.33 53,705

2045 . . . . . . 4.93 5.36 -.43 1.72 1.41 .31 6.65 6.78 -.13 66,377

2050 . . . . . . 4.92 5.25 -.33 1.74 1.35 .38 6.65 6.60 .05 82,004

2055 . . . . . . 4.90 5.17 -.27 1.76 1.31 .45 6.66 6.48 .18 101,347

2060 . . . . . . 4.89 5.10 -.21 1.78 1.31 .47 6.67 6.41 .26 125,382

2065 . . . . . . 4.88 5.02 -.13 1.80 1.33 .47 6.68 6.34 .34 155,356

2070 . . . . . . 4.87 4.94 -.07 1.82 1.36 .46 6.69 6.30 .39 192,689

2075 . . . . . . 4.87 4.88 -.01 1.84 1.38 .46 6.71 6.26 .45 239,214

2080 . . . . . . 4.87 4.83 .04 1.86 1.39 .47 6.72 6.22 .51 297,037

2085 . . . . . . 4.87 4.83 .04 1.88 1.39 .49 6.75 6.21 .53 368,574

2090 . . . . . . 4.88 4.85 .03 1.90 1.39 .51 6.78 6.24 .54 456,969
Appendices

198

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

To compare trust fund operations expressed as percentages of taxable payroll

and those expressed as percentages of GDP, table VI.F5 displays ratios of

OASDI taxable payroll to GDP. HI taxable payroll is about 26 percent larger

than the OASDI taxable payroll throughout the long-range period; see section 1 of this appendix for a detailed description of the difference. The cost

Low-cost (Cont.):

Summarized rates: b

25-year:

 2012-36 . . . 5.59 5.45 .14 1.68 1.54 0.14 7.27 6.99 0.29

50-year:

 2012-61 . . . 5.29 5.35 -.06 1.70 1.46 .24 7.00 6.82 .18

75-year

 2012-86 . . . 5.18 5.22 -.04 1.74 1.43 .30 6.92 6.66 .26

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . . 4.71 5.12 -.41 1.46 1.77 -.31 6.17 6.89 -.72 $15,457

2013 . . . . . . 4.64 5.26 -.62 1.51 1.80 -.28 6.15 7.05 -.90 15,968

2014 . . . . . . 4.71 5.38 -.67 1.53 1.82 -.29 6.24 7.21 -.96 16,669

2015 . . . . . . 4.73 5.48 -.75 1.55 1.82 -.26 6.28 7.29 -1.01 17,531

2016 . . . . . . 4.75 5.54 -.79 1.58 1.85 -.27 6.33 7.38 -1.06 18,584

2017 . . . . . . 4.79 5.61 -.82 1.60 1.89 -.29 6.39 7.50 -1.11 19,716

2018 . . . . . . 4.82 5.68 -.86 1.62 1.95 -.32 6.44 7.62 -1.18 20,941

2019 . . . . . . 4.83 5.76 -.93 1.64 2.01 -.37 6.46 7.77 -1.30 22,233

2020 . . . . . . 4.84 5.87 -1.03 1.65 2.09 -.44 6.49 7.96 -1.47 23,487

2021 . . . . . . 4.85 6.00 -1.15 1.66 2.18 -.52 6.51 8.18 -1.67 24,702

2025 . . . . . . 4.82 6.52 -1.69 1.68 2.62 -.93 6.51 9.13 -2.63 29,980

2030 . . . . . . 4.80 7.01 -2.21 1.72 3.22 -1.50 6.51 10.22 -3.71 38,168

2035 . . . . . . 4.77 7.23 -2.46 1.74 3.91 -2.17 6.51 11.14 -4.63 48,763

2040 . . . . . . 4.73 7.28 -2.55 1.76 4.55 -2.79 6.49 11.83 -5.33 62,258

2045 . . . . . . 4.69 7.26 -2.58 1.78 5.02 -3.24 6.47 12.28 -5.82 79,158

2050 . . . . . . 4.63 7.25 -2.62 1.79 5.32 -3.52 6.43 12.57 -6.14 100,057

2055 . . . . . . 4.59 7.29 -2.71 1.81 5.46 -3.65 6.40 12.75 -6.35 125,930

2060 . . . . . . 4.54 7.35 -2.82 1.83 5.51 -3.69 6.36 12.87 -6.50 158,131

2065 . . . . . . 4.49 7.42 -2.93 1.84 5.55 -3.71 6.32 12.97 -6.64 198,405

2070 . . . . . . 4.44 7.53 -3.09 1.85 5.61 -3.76 6.29 13.14 -6.85 248,401

2075 . . . . . . 4.40 7.66 -3.26 1.86 5.63 -3.77 6.25 13.29 -7.03 310,269

2080 . . . . . . 4.36 7.78 -3.42 1.86 5.59 -3.73 6.22 13.37 -7.15 386,786

2085 . . . . . . 4.32 7.89 -3.57 1.87 5.53 -3.66 6.19 13.41 -7.22 481,453

2090 . . . . . . 4.29 7.96 -3.68 1.88 5.46 -3.58 6.16 13.42 -7.26 599,053

Summarized rates: b

25-year:

 2012-36 . . . 5.47 6.60 -1.13 1.72 2.74 -1.02 7.19 9.34 -2.15

50-year:

 2012-61 . . . 5.12 6.86 -1.74 1.75 3.72 -1.98 6.87 10.58 -3.72

75-year

 2012-86 . . . 4.96 7.01 -2.05 1.77 4.12 -2.35 6.73 11.13 -4.40

a Income for individual years excludes interest on the trust funds. Interest is implicit in all summarized values.

b Summarized rates are calculated on a present-value basis. They include the value of the trust funds on

January 1, 2012 and the cost of reaching a target trust fund level equal to 100 percent of annual cost at the end

of the period.

c Between -0.005 and 0.005 percent of GDP.

Table VI.F4.—OASDI and HI Annual and Summarized Income, Cost, and Balance

as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 2012-90 (Cont.)

Calendar year

Percentage of GDP GDP in

dollars

(billions)

OASDI HI Combined

Incomea Cost Balance Incomea Cost Balance Incomea Cost Balance
199

OASDI and HI: Percent of GDP

as a percentage of GDP is equal to the cost as a percentage of taxable payroll

multiplied by the ratio of taxable payroll to GDP.

Projections of GDP reflect projected increases in U.S. employment, labor

productivity, average hours worked, and the GDP deflator. Projections of

taxable payroll reflect the components of growth in GDP along with assumed

changes in the ratio of worker compensation to GDP, the ratio of earnings to

worker compensation, the ratio of OASDI covered earnings to total earnings,

and the ratio of taxable to total covered earnings.

Over the long-range period, the Trustees project that the ratio of OASDI taxable payroll to GDP will decline mostly due to a projected decline in the

ratio of wages to employee compensation. Over the last five complete economic cycles, the ratio of wages to employee compensation declined at an

average annual rate of 0.31 percent. The Trustees project that the ratio of

wages to employee compensation will continue to decline, over the 65-year

period ending in 2086, at an average annual rate of 0.03, 0.13, and

0.23 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions,

respectively.

Table VI.F5.—Ratio of OASDI Taxable Payroll to GDP, Calendar Years 2012-90 

Calendar year Intermediate Low-cost High-cost

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.362 0.362 0.363

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363 .363 .363

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364 .365 .363

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365 .368 .364

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .367 .371 .364

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369 .375 .366

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372 .379 .368

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373 .381 .368

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .374 .382 .368

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .374 .383 .368

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371 .380 .363

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368 .378 .359

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365 .377 .355

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363 .376 .352

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361 .376 .348

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358 .375 .344

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356 .374 .340

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353 .373 .335

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351 .373 .331

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348 .372 .326

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346 .372 .322

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344 .372 .318

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342 .373 .315

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341 .373 .312
Appendices

200

3. Estimates in Dollars

This section contains long-range projections, in dollars, of the operations of

the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds and in some cases the HI Trust

Fund. Comparing current dollar values over long periods of time is difficult

because of the effect of inflation. In order to compare dollar values in a

meaningful way, table VI.F6 provides several economic series or indices

which can be used to adjust current dollars for changes in prices, wages, or

other aspects of economic growth during the projection period. Any series of

values can be adjusted by dividing the value for each year by the corresponding index value for the year.

One of the most common forms of standardization is price indexing, which

uses some measure of change in the prices of consumer goods. The Bureau

of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, publishes one such price index, the

Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPIW, hereafter referred to as CPI). The Social Security Administration (SSA)

uses this index to determine the annual cost-of-living increases for OASDI

monthly benefits. The Trustees assume the ultimate annual rate of increase in

the CPI will be 1.8, 2.8, and 3.8 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and

high-cost sets of assumptions, respectively. Table VI.F7 provides CPIindexed dollar values (those adjusted using the CPI in table VI.F6), which

indicate the relative purchasing power of the values over time.

Wage indexing is another type of standardization. It combines the effects of

price inflation and real-wage growth. The wage index presented here is the

national average wage index, as defined in section 215(i)(1)(G) of the Social

Security Act. SSA uses this index to annually adjust the contribution and

benefit base and other earnings-related program amounts. The Trustees

assume that the average wage will grow by an average rate of 3.5, 3.9, and

4.3 percent under the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions,

respectively, between 2021 and 2086. Wage-indexed values indicate the level

of a series relative to the standard of living of workers over time.

The taxable payroll index adjusts for the effects of changes in the number of

workers and changes in the proportion of earnings that are taxable, as well as

for the effects of price inflation and real-wage growth. The OASDI taxable

payroll consists of all earnings subject to OASDI taxation, with an adjustment for the lower effective tax rate on multiple-employer excess wages. A

series of values, divided by the taxable payroll, indicates the percentage of

payroll that each value represents, and thus the extent to which the series of

values increases or decreases as a percent of payroll over time.
201

OASDI and HI: Estimates in Dollars

The GDP index adjusts for the growth in the aggregate amount of goods and

services produced in the United States. Values adjusted by GDP (see section

2 of this appendix) indicate their relative share of the total output of the

economy. The Trustees make no explicit assumption about growth in taxable

payroll or GDP. These series reflect the basic demographic and economic

assumptions, as discussed in sections V.A and V.B, respectively.

Discounting at the rate of interest is another way of adjusting current dollars.

Each interest-rate factor shown in table VI.F6 equals the average of the

assumed annual interest rates for special public-debt obligations issuable to

the trust funds in that year. The Trustees use a slightly different series of

interest rates, the actual annual yields on currently-held trust fund assets, to

calculate the summarized values presented elsewhere in this report. The

Trustees assume that ultimate nominal interest rates, which in practice are

compounded semiannually, will equal approximately 5.2, 5.7, and

6.2 percent for the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost assumptions,

respectively.
Appendices

202

Table VI.F6.—Selected Economic Variables, Calendar Years 2011-90

[GDP and taxable payroll in billions]

Calendar year

Adjusted

CPIa Averagewage index

Taxable

payrollb

Gross

domestic

product

Compound

interest-rate

factorc

Intermediate:

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98.03 $43,008.96 $5,446 $15,099 0.9765

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 44,644.06 5,704 15,757 1.0000

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.93 46,496.20 5,965 16,441 1.0347

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104.00 48,595.38 6,297 17,300 1.0808

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.21 50,892.59 6,682 18,303 1.1354

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108.58 53,317.30 7,091 19,340 1.1943

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111.24 55,988.97 7,534 20,392 1.2549

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114.09 58,698.31 7,983 21,458 1.3207

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117.26 61,178.72 8,394 22,488 1.3942

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120.56 63,675.71 8,807 23,525 1.4737

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123.93 66,160.67 9,209 24,597 1.5590

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138.41 76,830.87 10,899 29,392 1.9520

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158.90 93,192.94 13,481 36,679 2.5854

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182.43 113,227.81 16,781 45,940 3.4243

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209.44 137,642.06 20,945 57,653 4.5354

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240.45 167,075.91 26,106 72,302 6.0070

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276.05 202,452.23 32,402 90,396 7.9561

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316.93 245,183.63 40,157 112,810 10.5377

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363.85 296,734.92 49,739 140,739 13.9568

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417.72 359,179.10 61,661 175,704 18.4854

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479.57 434,566.59 76,394 219,280 24.4834

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550.58 526,186.96 94,657 273,504 32.4276

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632.10 637,582.43 117,269 340,865 42.9494

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725.69 773,236.75 145,261 424,327 56.8852

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833.14 938,606.76 180,022 527,996 75.3428

Low-cost:

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98.16 43,024.67 5,448 15,110 .9748

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 44,975.10 5,770 15,936 1.0000

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.32 47,148.54 6,107 16,827 1.0363

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102.60 49,327.53 6,502 17,803 1.0821

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104.00 51,541.31 6,930 18,849 1.1342

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.52 53,798.61 7,370 19,883 1.1898

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107.17 56,046.67 7,803 20,803 1.2462

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108.95 58,378.15 8,229 21,719 1.3071

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110.87 60,561.85 8,622 22,645 1.3739

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112.86 62,770.53 9,024 23,601 1.4453

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114.89 64,960.49 9,422 24,596 1.5209

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123.39 74,251.79 11,017 28,972 1.8671

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134.90 88,308.88 13,407 35,463 2.4128

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147.49 105,099.43 16,421 43,558 3.1179

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161.25 125,080.99 20,213 53,705 4.0290

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176.30 148,686.55 24,935 66,377 5.2064

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192.74 176,526.37 30,728 82,004 6.7279

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210.73 209,555.72 37,910 101,347 8.6941

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230.39 248,829.89 46,822 125,382 11.2348

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251.88 295,585.99 57,944 155,356 14.5180

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275.38 350,941.21 71,771 192,689 18.7607

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301.08 416,976.42 89,051 239,214 24.2432

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329.17 495,793.52 110,590 297,037 31.3279

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359.88 590,011.62 137,376 368,574 40.4830

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393.45 702,721.70 170,654 456,969 52.3136
203

OASDI and HI: Estimates in Dollars

Table VI.F7 shows the operations of the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds

in CPI-indexed 2012 dollars—that is, adjusted by the CPI indexing series as

discussed above. The following items are presented in the table: (1) noninterest income; (2) interest income; (3) total income; (4) total cost; and (5)

assets at the end of the year. Non-interest income consists of payroll tax contributions, income from taxation of benefits, and reimbursements from the

General Fund of the Treasury, if any. Cost consists of benefit payments,

administrative expenses, financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement

program, and payments for vocational rehabilitation services for disabled

beneficiaries. Table VI.F7 shows trust fund operations under the low-cost,

intermediate, and high-cost sets of assumptions.

High-cost:

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97.84 $43,004.50 $5,444 $15,091 0.9813

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 44,061.05 5,605 15,457 1.0000

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102.55 45,755.82 5,797 15,968 1.0339

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.42 47,696.44 6,054 16,669 1.0826

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108.63 50,024.82 6,378 17,531 1.1416

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112.19 52,825.03 6,772 18,584 1.2116

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116.14 55,928.50 7,221 19,716 1.2901

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120.48 59,176.22 7,701 20,941 1.3760

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125.06 62,301.42 8,181 22,233 1.4684

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129.81 65,304.65 8,646 23,487 1.5640

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134.75 68,163.48 9,083 24,702 1.6624

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156.42 80,394.53 10,892 29,980 2.1219

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188.49 99,421.88 13,697 38,168 2.8788

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227.13 123,305.21 17,326 48,763 3.9057

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273.69 153,050.02 21,908 62,258 5.2988

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329.80 189,578.37 27,554 79,158 7.1890

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397.41 234,287.72 34,398 100,057 9.7533

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478.88 289,282.61 42,757 125,930 13.2325

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577.05 356,613.22 52,996 158,131 17.9526

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 695.34 439,507.54 65,636 198,405 24.3564

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 837.88 541,428.70 81,084 248,401 33.0446

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,009.65 667,468.96 99,995 310,269 44.8318

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,216.63 823,470.78 123,149 386,786 60.8237

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,466.04 1,017,070.35 151,587 481,453 82.5201

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,766.57 1,257,532.91 186,694 599,053 111.9557

a CPI-W indexed to calendar year 2012.

b Total earnings subject to OASDI contribution rates, adjusted to reflect the lower effective contribution

rates (compared to the combined employee-employer rate) that apply to multiple-employer “excess wages.”

c Incorporates the average of the assumed annual interest rates for special public-debt obligations issuable to

the trust funds in the 12 months of the year, under each alternative.

Table VI.F6.—Selected Economic Variables, Calendar Years 2011-90

[GDP and taxable payroll in billions]

Calendar year

Adjusted

CPIa Average

wage index

Taxable

payrollb

Gross

domestic

product

Compound

interest-rate

factorc
Appendices

204

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.F7.—Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

in CPI-indexed 2012 Dollars,a Calendar Years 2012-90

[In billions]

a CPI-indexed 2012 dollars equal current dollars adjusted by the CPI indexing series in table VI.F6.

Calendar year

Non-interest

income

Interest

income

Total

income Cost

Assets at

end of year

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $735.5 $110.4 $846.0 $788.7 $2,735.2

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750.9 105.9 856.8 816.5 2,723.7

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 783.0 104.4 887.4 846.6 2,710.3

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 814.8 104.4 919.2 878.6 2,694.6

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847.7 105.1 952.8 910.2 2,678.2

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 880.9 106.1 987.0 942.4 2,659.0

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 912.0 107.7 1,019.7 976.8 2,635.3

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934.4 108.9 1,043.3 1,011.8 2,595.6

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 955.1 109.4 1,064.5 1,050.1 2,539.0

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973.8 108.6 1,082.5 1,088.9 2,463.4

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,037.8 108.5 1,146.3 1,250.6 1,950.3

2030b . . . . . . . . . . . .

b The combined OASI and DI Trust Funds become exhausted in 2033 under the intermediate assumptions

and in 2027 under the high-cost assumptions, so estimates for later years are not shown.

1,124.0 50.8 1,174.8 1,442.7 742.4

Low-cost: 

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740.4 110.9 851.3 786.2 2,743.0

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 775.5 108.3 883.8 814.9 2,776.2

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817.8 109.0 926.8 843.2 2,825.2

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860.7 111.7 972.3 872.5 2,887.0

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903.6 115.6 1,019.3 902.8 2,961.8

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943.9 120.3 1,064.1 935.2 3,045.2

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 980.9 125.9 1,106.8 969.0 3,133.2

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,011.0 132.2 1,143.2 1,005.1 3,217.0

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,040.6 138.2 1,178.8 1,043.8 3,295.1

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,069.2 143.8 1,213.0 1,082.9 3,367.0

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,169.1 175.2 1,344.2 1,254.6 3,545.4

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,306.1 178.7 1,484.9 1,469.7 3,463.2

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,464.6 160.6 1,625.2 1,659.0 3,081.1

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,647.8 136.2 1,784.0 1,834.5 2,592.8

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,857.0 112.8 1,969.7 2,019.3 2,131.5

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,091.2 91.5 2,182.7 2,231.9 1,711.5

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,358.4 71.5 2,429.9 2,486.5 1,310.2

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,663.0 50.9 2,714.0 2,776.7 900.0

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,012.0 33.4 3,045.4 3,093.7 557.2

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,410.1 21.9 3,432.0 3,460.0 334.6

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,867.5 18.4 3,885.9 3,876.6 273.4

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,390.7 26.4 4,417.1 4,358.5 443.6

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,988.5 44.0 5,032.5 4,943.1 788.1

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,669.6 64.8 5,734.4 5,637.9 1,181.9

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 728.0 109.6 837.6 791.4 2,724.1

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722.0 102.7 824.7 818.6 2,662.5

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744.9 99.2 844.1 850.9 2,583.2

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 763.2 96.4 859.6 883.8 2,482.7

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786.6 94.0 880.7 917.4 2,367.1

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 812.4 91.8 904.2 951.7 2,239.1

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 837.1 89.2 926.4 986.7 2,098.1

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.0 85.0 943.0 1,023.8 1,940.5

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875.4 78.9 954.4 1,062.0 1,761.9

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888.6 70.9 959.5 1,100.1 1,556.8

2025b . . . . . . . . . . . . 924.5 34.4 958.9 1,249.2 460.4
205

OASDI and HI: Estimates in Dollars

Figure VI.F1 compares annual cost with annual total income and annual noninterest income. The figure shows only the OASDI program under intermediate assumptions, and presents values in CPI-indexed 2012 dollars, consistent

with table VI.F7. The difference between the income values for each year is

equal to the trust fund interest earnings. The figure illustrates that, under

intermediate assumptions: (1) annual cost exceeds non-interest income in

each year of the projection period; (2) total annual income, which includes

interest earnings on trust fund assets, is sufficient to cover annual cost for

years 2012 through 2020; and (3) total annual income is not sufficient to

cover annual cost for years beginning in 2021. From 2021 through 2032 (the

year preceding the year of trust fund exhaustion), annual cost is covered by

drawing down combined trust fund assets.

Table VI.F8 shows the operations of the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds

in current dollars—that is, in dollars unadjusted for price inflation. The following items are presented in the table: (1) non-interest income; (2) interest

income; (3) total income; (4) total cost; and (5) assets at the end of the year.

The Trustees present these estimates, using the low-cost, intermediate, and

 Figure VI.F1.—Estimated OASDI Income and Cost in CPI-indexed 2012 Dollars,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions

[In billions]

$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

$1,400

$1,600

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Calendar year

Cost

Total income

Non-interest income
Appendices

206

high-cost sets of demographic and economic assumptions, to facilitate independent analysis.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.F8.—Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, 

in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 2012-90

[In billions]

Calendar year

Non-interest

income

Interest

income

Total

income Cost

Assets at

end of year

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $735.5 $110.4 $846.0 $788.7 $2,735.2

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 765.4 108.0 873.4 832.3 2,776.3

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 814.3 108.5 922.9 880.5 2,818.8

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865.4 110.9 976.3 933.2 2,861.9

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920.5 114.1 1,034.6 988.4 2,908.1

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 979.9 118.0 1,098.0 1,048.2 2,957.8

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,040.6 122.8 1,163.4 1,114.5 3,006.8

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,095.7 127.7 1,223.4 1,186.5 3,043.7

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,151.5 131.9 1,283.4 1,266.0 3,061.0

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,206.9 134.6 1,341.5 1,349.5 3,053.0

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,436.4 150.1 1,586.6 1,730.9 2,699.4

2030a . . . . . . . . . . . .

a The combined OASI and DI Trust Funds become exhausted in 2033 under the intermediate assumptions

and in 2027 under the high-cost assumptions, so estimates for later years are not shown.

1,786.1 80.7 1,866.7 2,292.4 1,179.7

Low-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740.4 110.9 851.3 786.2 2,743.0

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785.7 109.7 895.4 825.7 2,812.8

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 839.0 111.8 950.8 865.1 2,898.5

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895.1 116.1 1,011.2 907.4 3,002.4

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 953.5 122.0 1,075.5 952.6 3,125.2

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,011.5 128.9 1,140.4 1,002.2 3,263.4

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,068.6 137.2 1,205.8 1,055.7 3,413.5

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,120.8 146.5 1,267.4 1,114.3 3,566.6

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,174.5 156.0 1,330.4 1,178.0 3,719.0

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,228.5 165.2 1,393.7 1,244.2 3,868.5

2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,442.6 216.1 1,658.7 1,548.1 4,374.8

2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,762.0 241.1 2,003.1 1,982.7 4,672.0

2035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,160.2 236.9 2,397.1 2,446.9 4,544.3

2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,657.2 219.7 2,876.8 2,958.2 4,180.9

2045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,273.8 198.8 3,472.6 3,559.9 3,757.7

2050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,030.6 176.4 4,207.0 4,301.8 3,298.8

2055 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,969.8 150.6 5,120.4 5,239.7 2,760.9

2060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,135.3 117.4 6,252.7 6,397.1 2,073.5

2065 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,586.7 84.2 7,670.8 7,792.6 1,403.5

2070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,390.9 60.4 9,451.3 9,528.2 921.3

2075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,644.3 55.3 11,699.6 11,671.5 823.3

2080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,452.7 87.0 14,539.8 14,346.8 1,460.0

2085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,952.4 158.4 18,110.8 17,789.3 2,836.2

2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,307.1 255.1 22,562.3 22,182.7 4,650.2

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 728.0 109.6 837.6 791.4 2,724.1

2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740.4 105.4 845.7 839.5 2,730.4

2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785.3 104.6 889.9 897.0 2,723.2

2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829.0 104.7 933.7 960.0 2,696.9

2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882.5 105.5 988.0 1,029.3 2,655.7

2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943.5 106.6 1,050.1 1,105.3 2,600.5

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,008.6 107.5 1,116.1 1,188.7 2,527.9

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,073.0 106.3 1,179.4 1,280.4 2,426.9

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,136.4 102.5 1,238.9 1,378.6 2,287.2

2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,197.4 95.5 1,292.8 1,482.4 2,097.7

2025a . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,446.1 53.9 1,500.0 1,954.0 720.1
207

OASDI and HI: Estimates in Dollars

Table VI.F9 shows, in current dollars, the annual non-interest income and

cost of the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, of the HI Trust Fund, and of

the combined OASI, DI, and HI Trust Funds, based on the low-cost, intermediate, and high-cost sets of assumptions. For OASDI, non-interest income

consists of payroll tax contributions, proceeds from taxation of OASDI benefits, and reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury, if any. Cost

consists of benefit payments, administrative expenses, financial interchange

with the Railroad Retirement program, and payments for vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries. For HI, non-interest income consists of payroll tax contributions (including contributions from railroad

employment), up to an additional 0.9 percent tax on earned income for relatively high earners, proceeds from the taxation of OASDI benefits, and reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury, if any. Total cost consists

of outlays (scheduled benefits and administrative expenses) for insured beneficiaries. The Trustees show income and cost estimates on a cash basis for

the OASDI program and on an incurred basis for the HI program. Table

VI.F9 also shows the balance, which equals the difference between income

excluding interest and cost.
Appendices

208

Table VI.F9.—OASDI and HI Annual Non-interest Income, Cost, and

Balance in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 2012-90

[In billions]

Calendar

year

OASDI HI Combined

Noninterest

income Cost Balance

Noninterest

income Cost Balance

Noninterest

income Cost Balance

Intermediate:

2012 . . . . . $736 $789 -$53 $230 $267 -$38 $965 $1,056 -$91

2013 . . . . . 765 832 -67 248 277 -29 1,014 1,110 -96

2014 . . . . . 814 880 -66 264 290 -26 1,079 1,171 -92

2015 . . . . . 865 933 -68 283 299 -16 1,148 1,232 -84

2016 . . . . . 920 988 -68 303 314 -12 1,223 1,303 -80

2017 . . . . . 980 1,048 -68 324 332 -9 1,304 1,380 -77

2018 . . . . . 1,041 1,114 -74 345 353 -8 1,385 1,467 -82

2019 . . . . . 1,096 1,187 -91 364 375 -11 1,459 1,561 -102

2020 . . . . . 1,151 1,266 -115 383 400 -17 1,535 1,666 -132

2021 . . . . . 1,207 1,350 -143 403 427 -25 1,610 1,777 -167

2025 . . . . . 1,436 1,731 -295 487 569 -82 1,923 2,300 -377

2030 . . . . . 1,786 2,292 -506 618 793 -176 2,404 3,086 -682

2035 . . . . . 2,228 2,921 -693 784 1,094 -310 3,012 4,016 -1,003

2040 . . . . . 2,782 3,635 -854 994 1,459 -465 3,776 5,095 -1,319

2045 . . . . . 3,466 4,486 -1,021 1,258 1,883 -625 4,724 6,370 -1,645

2050 . . . . . 4,301 5,534 -1,233 1,588 2,372 -785 5,889 7,906 -2,018

2055 . . . . . 5,332 6,863 -1,532 2,002 2,953 -951 7,334 9,817 -2,482

2060 . . . . . 6,607 8,533 -1,925 2,523 3,695 -1,172 9,130 12,228 -3,097

2065 . . . . . 8,194 10,606 -2,412 3,177 4,668 -1,491 11,371 15,274 -3,903

2070 . . . . . 10,158 13,235 -3,077 3,995 5,921 -1,926 14,153 19,157 -5,003

2075 . . . . . 12,595 16,529 -3,933 5,018 7,456 -2,438 17,613 23,984 -6,371

2080 . . . . . 15,615 20,645 -5,030 6,293 9,290 -2,996 21,908 29,934 -8,026

2085 . . . . . 19,359 25,849 -6,489 7,886 11,497 -3,612 27,245 37,346 -10,101

2090 . . . . . 24,013 32,367 -8,354 9,877 14,205 -4,328 33,890 46,572 -12,682

Low-cost:

2012 . . . . . 740 786 -46 232 261 -29 972 1,047 -75

2013 . . . . . 786 826 -40 254 269 -15 1,040 1,094 -55

2014 . . . . . 839 865 -26 272 277 -6 1,111 1,142 -32

2015 . . . . . 895 907 -12 291 280 11 1,186 1,187 -2

2016 . . . . . 953 953 1 310 288 22 1,264 1,241 23

2017 . . . . . 1,012 1,002 9 329 297 32 1,340 1,299 41

2018 . . . . . 1,069 1,056 13 347 307 40 1,416 1,363 53

2019 . . . . . 1,121 1,114 7 364 319 46 1,485 1,433 52

2020 . . . . . 1,174 1,178 -4 382 333 49 1,556 1,511 45

2021 . . . . . 1,228 1,244 -16 400 348 52 1,628 1,592 36

2025 . . . . . 1,443 1,548 -106 476 426 50 1,918 1,974 -56

2030 . . . . . 1,762 1,983 -221 590 533 58 2,353 2,516 -163

2035 . . . . . 2,160 2,447 -287 734 661 73 2,894 3,108 -214

2040 . . . . . 2,657 2,958 -301 914 792 122 3,571 3,751 -179

2045 . . . . . 3,274 3,560 -286 1,141 938 203 4,415 4,498 -84

2050 . . . . . 4,031 4,302 -271 1,424 1,110 314 5,455 5,412 42

2055 . . . . . 4,970 5,240 -270 1,781 1,330 452 6,751 6,569 182

2060 . . . . . 6,135 6,397 -262 2,231 1,637 594 8,366 8,034 332

2065 . . . . . 7,587 7,793 -206 2,796 2,064 732 10,382 9,857 526

2070 . . . . . 9,391 9,528 -137 3,504 2,617 888 12,895 12,145 750

2075 . . . . . 11,644 11,672 -27 4,395 3,299 1,097 16,039 14,970 1,069

2080 . . . . . 14,453 14,347 106 5,513 4,119 1,394 19,966 18,465 1,500

2085 . . . . . 17,952 17,789 163 6,916 5,111 1,806 24,869 22,900 1,969

2090 . . . . . 22,307 22,183 124 8,674 6,330 2,344 30,981 28,513 2,469
209

OASDI and HI: Estimates in Dollars

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

High-cost:

2012 . . . . . $728 $791 -$63 $225 $274 -$48 $954 $1,065 -$112

2013 . . . . . 740 840 -99 241 287 -45 982 1,126 -144

2014 . . . . . 785 897 -112 255 304 -49 1,041 1,201 -160

2015 . . . . . 829 960 -131 272 318 -46 1,101 1,278 -177

2016 . . . . . 883 1,029 -147 293 343 -50 1,176 1,372 -197

2017 . . . . . 943 1,105 -162 316 373 -56 1,260 1,478 -218

2018 . . . . . 1,009 1,189 -180 340 407 -67 1,349 1,596 -247

2019 . . . . . 1,073 1,280 -207 364 447 -83 1,437 1,727 -290

2020 . . . . . 1,136 1,379 -242 388 491 -103 1,524 1,869 -345

2021 . . . . . 1,197 1,482 -285 410 538 -127 1,608 2,020 -412

2025 . . . . . 1,446 1,954 -508 505 785 -280 1,951 2,738 -788

2030 . . . . . 1,832 2,675 -844 655 1,227 -573 2,486 3,903 -1,416

2035 . . . . . 2,326 3,527 -1,201 849 1,906 -1,057 3,175 5,433 -2,258

2040 . . . . . 2,947 4,531 -1,585 1,096 2,832 -1,736 4,043 7,363 -3,320

2045 . . . . . 3,710 5,750 -2,040 1,408 3,973 -2,566 5,118 9,724 -4,606

2050 . . . . . 4,637 7,258 -2,621 1,795 5,319 -3,524 6,432 12,576 -6,144

2055 . . . . . 5,774 9,181 -3,407 2,280 6,871 -4,591 8,054 16,052 -7,998

2060 . . . . . 7,172 11,626 -4,454 2,886 8,718 -5,832 10,059 20,344 -10,285

2065 . . . . . 8,903 14,725 -5,822 3,645 11,006 -7,361 12,548 25,731 -13,183

2070 . . . . . 11,029 18,711 -7,683 4,589 13,925 -9,336 15,617 32,636 -17,019

2075 . . . . . 13,643 23,767 -10,124 5,760 17,457 -11,697 19,403 41,224 -21,822

2080 . . . . . 16,851 30,096 -13,245 7,210 21,629 -14,419 24,060 51,725 -27,665

2085 . . . . . 20,798 37,972 -17,174 9,005 26,611 -17,605 29,804 64,583 -34,779

2090 . . . . . 25,672 47,690 -22,018 11,238 32,696 -21,458 36,910 80,385 -43,476

Table VI.F9.—OASDI and HI Annual Non-interest Income, Cost, and

Balance in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 2012-90 (Cont.)

[In billions]

Calendar

year

OASDI HI Combined

Noninterest

income Cost Balance

Noninterest

income Cost Balance

Noninterest

income Cost Balance
Appendices

210

G. ANALYSIS OF BENEFIT DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE OASI 

TRUST FUND WITH RESPECT TO DISABLED BENEFICIARIES

(Required by section 201(c) of the Social Security Act)

Effective January 1957, the OASI Trust Fund pays monthly benefits to disabled children aged 18 and over of retired and deceased workers if the disability began before age 18. The age by which disability must have begun

was later changed to age 22. Effective February 1968, the OASI Trust Fund

pays reduced monthly benefits to disabled widows and widowers at ages 50

and over. Effective January 1991, the requirements for the disability of the

widow or widower were made less restrictive.

As of December 31, 2011, the OASI Trust Fund paid monthly benefits to

about 1,020,000 individuals because of their disabilities or the disabilities of

children. This total includes approximately 27,000 mothers and fathers

(wives or husbands under normal retirement age of retired-worker beneficiaries and widows or widowers of deceased insured workers) who met all other

qualifying requirements and were receiving unreduced benefits solely

because they had disabled-child beneficiaries (or disabled children aged 16

or 17) in their care. In calendar year 2011, the OASI Trust Fund paid a total

of $9,138 million to the people described above. Table VI.G1 shows OASI

benefit payments for disability for selected calendar years during 1960-2011

and estimates for 2012-21 based on the intermediate set of assumptions.
211

OASI Expenditures for the Disabled

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.G1.—Benefit Disbursements From the OASI Trust Fund

With Respect to Disabled Beneficiaries

[Beneficiaries in thousands; benefit payments in millions]

Calendar year

Disabled beneficiaries, end of year Amount of benefit paymentsa

a Beginning in 1966, includes payments for vocational rehabilitation services.

Total Children b

b Also includes certain mothers and fathers (see text).

Widowswidowers c

c In 1984 and later years, includes only disabled widows and widowers aged 50-59, because disabled widows and widowers age 60 and older are eligible for the same benefit as a nondisabled aged widow or widower. Therefore, they are not receiving benefits solely because of a disability.

Total Childrenb Widowswidowers d

d In 1983 and prior years, includes the offsetting effect of lower benefits payable to disabled widows and

widowers who continued to receive benefits after attaining age 60 (62, for disabled widowers prior to 1973),

compared to the higher nondisabled widow’s and widower’s benefits that would otherwise be payable. In

1984 and later years, includes only benefit payments to disabled widows and widowers aged 50-59 (see footnote c).

Historical data:

1960 . . . . . . . . . 117 117 — $59 $59 —

1965 . . . . . . . . . 214 214 — 134 134 —

1970 . . . . . . . . . 316 281 36 301 260 $41

1975 . . . . . . . . . 435 376 58 664 560 104

1980 . . . . . . . . . 519 460 59 1,223 1,097 126

1985 . . . . . . . . . 594 547 47 2,072 1,885 187

1990 . . . . . . . . . 662 613 49 2,882 2,649 233

1991 . . . . . . . . . 687 627 61 3,179 2,875 304

1992 . . . . . . . . . 715 643 72 3,459 3,079 380

1993 . . . . . . . . . 740 659 81 3,752 3,296 456

1994 . . . . . . . . . 758 671 86 3,973 3,481 492

1995 . . . . . . . . . 772 681 91 4,202 3,672 531

1996 . . . . . . . . . 782 687 94 4,410 3,846 565

1997 . . . . . . . . . 789 693 96 4,646 4,050 596

1998 . . . . . . . . . 797 698 99 4,838 4,210 627

1999 . . . . . . . . . 805 702 102 4,991 4,336 655

2000 . . . . . . . . . 811 707 104 5,203 4,523 680

2001 . . . . . . . . . 817 712 105 5,520 4,802 718

2002 . . . . . . . . . 823 717 106 5,773 5,024 749

2003 . . . . . . . . . 827 722 105 5,950 5,184 764

2004 . . . . . . . . . 828 723 105 6,099 5,316 781

2005 . . . . . . . . . 836 728 108 6,458 5,556 843

2006 . . . . . . . . . 840 732 108 6,741 5,852 885

2007 . . . . . . . . . 851 744 107 7,051 6,181 867

2008 . . . . . . . . . 922 813 109 7,685 6,776 905

2009 . . . . . . . . . 969 857 112 8,592 7,618 971

2010 . . . . . . . . . 996 879 117 8,854 7,848 1,004

2011 . . . . . . . . . 1,020 899 121 9,138 8,085 1,051

Estimates under the intermediate assumptions:

2012 . . . . . . . . . 1,043 919 124 9,738 8,624 1,111

2013 . . . . . . . . . 1,064 938 126 10,177 9,023 1,150

2014 . . . . . . . . . 1,084 957 127 10,618 9,437 1,177

2015 . . . . . . . . . 1,103 975 127 11,093 9,884 1,204

2016 . . . . . . . . . 1,120 993 127 11,574 10,344 1,225

2017 . . . . . . . . . 1,136 1,011 126 12,081 10,829 1,247

2018 . . . . . . . . . 1,152 1,028 125 12,643 11,363 1,275

2019 . . . . . . . . . 1,168 1,044 124 13,246 11,930 1,310

2020 . . . . . . . . . 1,184 1,060 124 13,908 12,542 1,360

2021 . . . . . . . . . 1,200 1,075 125 14,593 13,168 1,419
Appendices

212

Under the intermediate assumptions, the Trustees estimate that total benefit

payments from the OASI Trust Fund with respect to disabled beneficiaries

will increase from $9,738 million in calendar year 2012 to $14,593 million

in calendar year 2021.

In calendar year 2011, benefit payments (including expenditures for vocational rehabilitation services) with respect to disabled persons from the OASI

Trust Fund and from the DI Trust Fund (including payments from the DI

fund to all children and spouses of disabled-worker beneficiaries) totaled

$138,117 million. Of this amount, $9,138 million, or 6.6 percent, represented

payments from the OASI Trust Fund. Table VI.G2 contains these and similar

figures for selected calendar years during 1960-2011 and estimates for calendar years 2012-21.
213

OASI Expenditures for the Disabled

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table VI.G2.—Benefit Disbursements Under the OASDI Program

With Respect to Disabled Beneficiaries

[Amounts in millions]

Calendar year Total a

a Beginning in 1966, includes payments for vocational rehabilitation services.

DI Trust Fund b

b Benefit payments to disabled workers and their children and spouses.

OASI Trust Fund

Amount c

c Benefit payments to disabled children aged 18 and over, to certain mothers and fathers (see text), and to

disabled widows and widowers (see footnote d, table VI.G1).

Percentage of total

Historical data:

1960 . . . . . . . . . $627 $568 $59 9.4

1965 . . . . . . . . . 1,707 1,573 134 7.9

1970 . . . . . . . . . 3,386 3,085 301 8.9

1975 . . . . . . . . . 9,169 8,505 664 7.2

1980 . . . . . . . . . 16,738 15,515 1,223 7.3

1985 . . . . . . . . . 20,908 18,836 2,072 9.9

1990 . . . . . . . . . 27,717 24,835 2,882 10.4

1991 . . . . . . . . . 30,877 27,698 3,179 10.3

1992 . . . . . . . . . 34,583 31,124 3,459 10.0

1993 . . . . . . . . . 38,378 34,626 3,752 9.8

1994 . . . . . . . . . 41,730 37,757 3,973 9.5

1995 . . . . . . . . . 45,140 40,937 4,202 9.3

1996 . . . . . . . . . 48,615 44,205 4,410 9.1

1997 . . . . . . . . . 50,358 45,712 4,646 9.2

1998 . . . . . . . . . 53,062 48,224 4,838 9.1

1999 . . . . . . . . . 56,390 51,399 4,991 8.9

2000 . . . . . . . . . 60,204 55,001 5,203 8.6

2001 . . . . . . . . . 65,157 59,637 5,520 8.5

2002 . . . . . . . . . 71,493 65,721 5,773 8.1

2003 . . . . . . . . . 76,902 70,952 5,950 7.7

2004 . . . . . . . . . 84,350 78,251 6,099 7.2

2005 . . . . . . . . . 91,843 85,386 6,458 7.0

2006 . . . . . . . . . 99,186 92,446 6,741 6.8

2007 . . . . . . . . . 106,197 99,147 7,051 6.6

2008 . . . . . . . . . 114,061 106,376 7,685 6.7

2009 . . . . . . . . . 127,000 118,407 8,592 6.8

2010 . . . . . . . . . 133,100 124,245 8,854 6.7

2011 . . . . . . . . . 138,117 128,979 9,138 6.6

Estimates under the intermediate assumptions:

2012 . . . . . . . . . 147,563 137,824 9,738 6.6

2013 . . . . . . . . . 153,875 143,698 10,177 6.6

2014 . . . . . . . . . 159,869 149,251 10,618 6.6

2015 . . . . . . . . . 166,250 155,157 11,093 6.7

2016 . . . . . . . . . 172,259 160,685 11,574 6.7

2017 . . . . . . . . . 178,209 166,129 12,081 6.8

2018 . . . . . . . . . 184,822 172,179 12,643 6.8

2019 . . . . . . . . . 192,062 178,817 13,246 6.9

2020 . . . . . . . . . 200,256 186,348 13,908 6.9

2021 . . . . . . . . . 210,552 195,959 14,593 6.9
Appendices

214

H. GLOSSARY

Actuarial balance. The difference between the summarized income rate and

the summarized cost rate over a given valuation period.

Actuarial balance ratio. The ratio of the actuarial balance to the summarized cost rate. Used in the test of long-range close actuarial balance.

Actuarial deficit. A negative actuarial balance.

Administrative expenses. Expenses incurred by the Social Security Administration and the Department of the Treasury in administering the OASDI

program and the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to the collection of contributions. Such administrative expenses are paid from the

OASI and DI Trust Funds.

Advance tax transfers. Amounts representing the estimated total OASDI

tax contributions for a given month. From May 1983 through November

1990, such amounts were credited to the OASI and DI Trust Funds at the

beginning of each month. The trust funds reimbursed the General Fund of

the Treasury for the associated loss of interest. Advance tax transfers are no

longer made unless needed in order to pay benefits.

Alternatives I, II, or III. See “Assumptions.”

Annual balance. The difference between the income rate and the cost rate

for a given year.

Assets. Treasury notes and bonds, other securities guaranteed by the Federal

Government, certain Federally sponsored agency obligations, and cash, held

by the trust funds for investment purposes.

Assumptions. Values related to future trends in key factors that affect the

balance in the trust funds. Demographic assumptions include fertility, mortality, net immigration, marriage, and divorce. Economic assumptions

include unemployment rates, average earnings, inflation, interest rates, and

productivity. Program-specific assumptions include retirement patterns, and

disability incidence and termination rates. This report presents three sets of

demographic, economic, and program-specific assumptions:

 • Alternative II is the intermediate set of assumptions, and represents the

Trustees’ best estimates of likely future demographic, economic, and

program-specific conditions.

 • Alternative I is a low-cost set of assumptions—it assumes relatively

rapid economic growth, low inflation, and favorable (from the standpoint of program financing) demographic and program-specific conditions.
215

Glossary

 • Alternative III is a high-cost set of assumptions—it assumes relatively

slow economic growth, high inflation, and unfavorable (from the standpoint of program financing) demographic and program-specific conditions.

See tables V.A1, V.B1, and V.B2.

Automatic cost-of-living benefit increase. The annual increase in benefits,

effective for December, reflecting the increase, if any, in the cost of living. A

benefit increase is applicable only after a beneficiary becomes eligible for

benefits. In general, the benefit increase equals the percentage increase in the

Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers

(CPI-W) measured from the third quarter of the previous year to the third

quarter of the current year. If there is no increase in the CPI-W, there is no

cost-of-living benefit increase. See table V.C1.

Auxiliary benefits. Monthly benefits payable to a spouse or child of a

retired or disabled worker, or to a survivor of a deceased worker.

Average indexed monthly earnings—AIME. The measure of lifetime

earnings used in determining the primary insurance amount (PIA) for most

workers who attain age 62, become disabled, or die after 1978. A worker’s

actual past earnings are adjusted by changes in the average wage index, in

order to bring them up to their approximately equivalent value at the time of

retirement or other eligibility for benefits.

Average wage index—AWI. A series that generally increases with the average amount of total wages for each year after 1950, including wages in noncovered employment and wages in covered employment in excess of the

OASDI contribution and benefit base. (See Title 20, Chapter III, section

404.211(c) of the Code of Federal Regulations for a more precise definition.)

These average wage amounts are used to index the taxable earnings of most

workers first becoming eligible for benefits in 1979 or later, and for automatic adjustments in the contribution and benefit base, bend points, earnings

test exempt amounts, and other wage-indexed amounts. See table V.C1.

Award. An administrative determination that an individual is entitled to

receive a specified type of OASDI benefit. Awards can represent not only

new entrants to the benefit rolls but also persons already on the rolls who

become entitled to a different type of benefit. Awards usually result in the

immediate payment of benefits, although payments may be deferred or withheld depending on the individual’s particular circumstances.

Baby boom. The period from the end of World War II (1946) through 1965

marked by unusually high birth rates.

Bend points. The dollar amounts defining the AIME or PIA brackets in the

benefit formulas. For the bend points for years 1979 and later, see table V.C2.
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216

Beneficiary. A person who has been awarded benefits on the basis of his or

her own or another’s earnings record. The benefits may be either in currentpayment status or withheld.

Benefit award. See “Award.”

Benefit payments. The amounts disbursed for OASI and DI benefits by the

Department of the Treasury.

Benefit termination. See “Termination.”

Best estimate assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Board. See “Board of Trustees.”

Board of Trustees. A Board established by the Social Security Act to oversee the financial operations of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance

Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. The Board is

composed of six members. Four members serve by virtue of their positions

in the Federal Government: the Secretary of the Treasury, who is the Managing Trustee; the Secretary of Labor; the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and the Commissioner of Social Security. The President appoints and

the Senate confirms the other two members to serve as public representatives. Also referred to as the “Board” or the “Trustees”.

Cash flow. Actual or projected revenue and costs reflecting the levels of

payroll tax contribution rates and benefits scheduled in the law. Net cash

flow is the difference between non-interest income and cost.

Consumer Price Index—CPI. An official measure of inflation in consumer

prices. In this report, CPI refers to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage

Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The Bureau of Labor Statistics,

Department of Labor, publishes historical values for the CPI-W.

Contribution and benefit base. Annual dollar amount above which earnings in employment covered under the OASDI program are neither taxable

nor creditable for benefit-computation purposes. (Also referred to as maximum contribution and benefit base, annual creditable maximum, taxable

maximum, and maximum taxable.) See tables V.C1 and V.C6. See “HI contribution base.”

Contributions. See “Payroll tax contributions.”

Cost. The cost for a year includes scheduled benefit payments, administrative expenses, financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement program,

and payments for vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries.

Cost-of-living adjustment. See “Automatic cost-of-living benefit increase.”

Cost rate. The cost rate for a year is the ratio of the cost of the program to

the taxable payroll for the year.
217

Glossary

Covered earnings. Earnings in employment covered by the OASDI program.

Covered employment. All employment for which earnings are creditable

for Social Security purposes. The program covers almost all employment.

Some exceptions are:

 • State and local government employees whose employer has not elected

to be covered under Social Security and who are participating in an

employer-provided pension plan.

 • Current Federal civilian workers hired before 1984 who have not

elected to be covered.

 • Self-employed workers earning less than $400 in a calendar year.

Covered worker. A person who has earnings creditable for Social Security

purposes based on services for wages in covered employment or income

from covered self-employment.

CPI-indexed dollars. Amounts adjusted by the CPI to the value of the dollar

in a particular year.

Creditable earnings. Wage or self-employment earnings posted to a

worker’s earnings record. Such earnings determine eligibility for benefits

and the amount of benefits on that worker’s record. The contribution and

benefit base is the maximum amount of creditable earnings for each worker

in a calendar year.

Current-cost financing. See “Pay-as-you-go financing.”

Current dollars. Amounts expressed in nominal dollars with no adjustment

for inflationary changes in the value of the dollar over time.

Currently insured status. A worker acquires currently insured status when

he or she has accumulated six quarters of coverage during the 13-quarter

period ending with the current quarter.

Current-payment status. Status of a beneficiary to whom a benefit is being

paid for a given month (with or without deductions, provided the deductions

add to less than a full month’s benefit).

Deemed wage credit. See “Military service wage credits.”

Delayed retirement credits. Increases in the benefit amount for certain individuals who did not receive benefits for months after attaining normal retirement age but before age 70. Delayed retirement credits apply to benefits for

January of the year following the year they are earned or for the month of

attainment of age 70, whichever comes first. See table V.C3.

Demographic assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Disability. For Social Security purposes, the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (see “Substantial gainful activity—SGA”) by reason of

any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be
Appendices

218

expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than

12 months. Special rules apply for workers at ages 55 and over whose disability is based on blindness.

The law generally requires that a person be disabled continuously for 5

months before he or she can qualify for a disabled-worker benefit.

Disability conversion ratio. For a given year, the ratio of the number of disability conversions to the average number of disabled-worker beneficiaries at

all ages during the year.

Disability conversion. Upon attainment of normal retirement age, a disabled-worker beneficiary is automatically converted to retired-worker status.

Disability incidence rate. The proportion of workers in a given year,

insured for but not receiving disability benefits, who apply for and are

awarded disability benefits.

Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund. See “Trust fund.”

Disability insured status. A worker acquires disability insured status if he

or she is: (1) a fully insured worker who has accumulated 20 quarters of coverage during the 40-quarter period ending with the current quarter; (2) a fully

insured worker aged 24-30 who has accumulated quarters of coverage during

one-half of the quarters elapsed after the quarter of attainment of age 21 and

up to and including the current quarter; or (3) a fully insured worker under

age 24 who has accumulated six quarters of coverage during the 12-quarter

period ending with the current quarter.

Disability prevalence rate. The proportion of persons insured for disability

benefits who are disabled-worker beneficiaries in current-payment status.

Disability termination rate. The proportion of disabled-worker beneficiaries in a given year whose disability benefits terminate as a result of their

recovery or death.

Disabled-worker benefit. A monthly benefit payable to a disabled worker

under normal retirement age and insured for disability. Before November

1960, disability benefits were limited to disabled workers aged 50-64.

Disbursements. Actual expenditures (outgo) made or expected to be made

under current law, including benefits paid or payable, administrative

expenses, financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement program, and

payments for vocational rehabilitation services for disabled beneficiaries.

Earnings. Unless otherwise qualified, all wages from employment and net

earnings from self-employment, whether or not they are taxable or covered.

Earnings test. The provision requiring the withholding of benefits if beneficiaries under normal retirement age have earnings in excess of certain

exempt amounts. See table V.C1.

Economic assumptions. See “Assumptions.”
219

Glossary

Effective interest rate. See “Interest rate.”

Excess wages. Wages in excess of the contribution and benefit base on

which a worker initially makes payroll tax contributions, usually as a result

of working for more than one employer during a year. Employee payroll

taxes on excess wages are refundable to affected employees, while the

employer taxes are not refundable.

Expenditures. See “Disbursements.”

Federal Insurance Contributions Act—FICA. Provision authorizing payroll taxes on the wages of employed persons to provide for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, and for Hospital Insurance. Workers and their

employers generally pay the tax in equal amounts.

Financial interchange. Provisions of the Railroad Retirement Act providing

for transfers between the trust funds and the Social Security Equivalent Benefit Account of the Railroad Retirement program in order to place each trust

fund in the same financial position it would have been had railroad employment always been covered under Social Security.

Fiscal year. The accounting year of the United States Government. Since

1976, a fiscal year is the 12-month period ending September 30. For example, fiscal year 2011 began October 1, 2010, and will end September 30,

2011.

Full advance funding. A financing method in which contributions are established to match the full cost of future benefits as these costs are incurred

through current service. Such financing methods also provide for amortization over a fixed period of any financial obligation that is incurred at the

beginning of the program (or subsequent modification) as a result of granting

credit for past service.

Fully insured status. A worker acquires fully insured status when his or her

total number of quarters of coverage is greater than or equal to the number of

years elapsed after the year of attainment of age 21 (but not less than six).

Once a worker has accumulated 40 quarters of coverage, he or she remains

permanently fully insured.

General Fund of the Treasury. Funds held by the Treasury of the United

States, other than receipts collected for a specific purpose (such as Social

Security), and maintained in a separate account for that purpose.

General fund reimbursements. Payments from the General Fund of the

Treasury to the trust funds for specific purposes defined in the law, including:

 • The cost of noncontributory wage credits for military service before

1957, and periodic adjustments of previous determinations.

 • The cost in 1971-82 of deemed wage credits for military service performed after 1956.
Appendices

220

 • The cost of benefits to certain uninsured persons who attained age 72

before 1968.

 • The cost of payroll tax credits provided to employees in 1984 and selfemployed persons in 1984-89 by Public Law 98-21.

 • The cost in 2009-17 of excluding certain self-employment earnings

from SECA taxes under Public Law 110-246.

 • Payroll tax revenue forgone under the provisions of Public Laws 111-

147 and 111-312.

The general fund also reimburses the trust funds for various other items,

including interest on checks which are not negotiated 6 months after the

month of issue and costs incurred in performing certain legislatively mandated activities not directly related to administering the OASI and DI programs.

Gross domestic product—GDP. The total dollar value of all goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States, regardless

of who supplies the labor or property.

HI contribution base. Annual dollar amount above which earnings in

employment covered under the HI program are not taxable. (Also referred to

as maximum contribution base, taxable maximum, and maximum taxable.)

Beginning in 1994, the HI contribution base was eliminated.

High-cost assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund. See “Trust fund.”

Immigration. See “Legal immigration” and “Other immigration.”

Income. Income for a given year is the sum of tax revenue on a cash basis

(payroll tax contributions and income from the taxation of scheduled benefits), reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury, if any, and

interest credited to the trust funds.

Income rate. Ratio of non-interest income to the OASDI taxable payroll for

the year.

Infinite horizon. The period extending into the indefinite future.

Inflation. An increase in the general price level of goods and services.

Insured status. The state or condition of having sufficient quarters of coverage to meet the eligibility requirements for retired-worker or disabled-worker

benefits, or to permit the worker’s spouse and children or survivors to establish eligibility for benefits in the event of his or her disability, retirement, or

death. See “Quarters of coverage.”

Interest. A payment in exchange for the use of money during a specified

period.

Interest rate. Interest rates on new public-debt obligations issuable to Federal trust funds (see “Special public-debt obligation”) are determined
221

Glossary

monthly. Such rates are equal to the average market yield on all outstanding

marketable U.S. securities not due or callable until after 4 years from the date

the rate is determined. See table V.B2 for historical and assumed future interest rates on new special-issue securities. The effective interest rate for a trust

fund is the ratio of the interest earned by the fund over a given period of time

to the average level of assets held by the fund during the period. The effective rate of interest thus represents a measure of the overall average interest

earnings on the fund’s portfolio of assets.

Interfund borrowing. The borrowing of assets by a trust fund (OASI, DI, or

HI) from another trust fund when the first fund is in danger of exhaustion.

The Social Security Act permitted interfund borrowing only during 1982

through 1987, and required all amounts borrowed to be repaid prior to the

end of 1989. The only exercise of this authority occurred in 1982, when the

OASI Trust Fund borrowed assets from the DI and HI Trust Funds. The final

repayment of borrowed amounts occurred in 1986.

Intermediate assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Legal emigration. Legal emigration for a given year consists of those legal

permanent residents and native-born citizens who leave the Social Security

area during the year.

Legal immigration. Consistent with the definition used by the Department

of Homeland Security, legal immigration for a given year consists of foreignborn individuals who are granted legal permanent resident status during the

year.

Life expectancy. Average remaining number of years expected prior to

death. Period life expectancy is calculated for a given year using the actual or

expected death rates at each age for that year. Cohort life expectancy, sometimes referred to as generational life expectancy, is calculated for individuals

at a specific age in a given year using actual or expected death rates from the

years in which the individuals would actually reach each succeeding age if

they survive.

Long range. The next 75 years. The Trustees make long-range actuarial estimates for this period because it is approximately the maximum remaining

lifetime of current Social Security participants.

Low-cost assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Lump-sum death benefit. A lump sum, generally $255, payable on the

death of a fully or currently insured worker. The lump sum is payable to the

surviving spouse of the worker, under most circumstances, or to the worker’s

children.

Maximum family benefit. The maximum monthly amount that can be paid

on a worker’s earnings record. Whenever the total of the individual monthly

benefits payable to all the beneficiaries entitled on one earnings record
Appendices

222

exceeds the maximum, each dependent’s or survivor’s benefit is proportionately reduced. Benefits payable to divorced spouses or surviving divorced

spouses are not reduced under the family maximum provision.

Medicare. A nationwide, Federally administered health insurance program

authorized in 1965 to cover the cost of hospitalization, medical care, and

some related services for most people age 65 and over. In 1972, coverage

was extended to people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance payments for 2 years and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. In 2006, prescription drug coverage was added. Medicare consists of two separate but

coordinated programs—Hospital Insurance (HI, Part A) and Supplementary

Medical Insurance (SMI). The SMI program is composed of three separate

accounts—the Part B Account, the Part D Account, and the Transitional

Assistance Account. Almost all persons who are aged 65 and over or disabled and who are entitled to HI are eligible to enroll in Part B and Part D on

a voluntary basis by paying monthly premiums. Health insurance protection

is available to Medicare beneficiaries without regard to income.

Military service wage credits. Credits recognizing that military personnel

receive wages in kind (such as food and shelter) in addition to their basic pay

and other cash payments. Noncontributory wage credits of $160 were provided for each month of active military service from September 16, 1940,

through December 31, 1956. For years after 1956, the basic pay of military

personnel is covered under the Social Security program on a contributory

basis. In addition to the contributory credits for basic pay, noncontributory

wage credits of $300 were granted for each calendar quarter, from January

1957 through December 1977, in which a person received pay for military

service. Noncontributory wage credits of $100 were granted for each $300 of

military wages, up to a maximum credit of $1,200 per calendar year, from

January 1978 through December 2001.

National average wage index—AWI. See “Average wage index—AWI.”

Non-interest income. Non-interest income for a given year is the sum of tax

revenue on a cash basis (payroll tax contributions and income from the taxation of scheduled benefits) and reimbursements from the General Fund of the

Treasury, if any.

Normal retirement age—NRA. The age at which a person may first

become entitled to retirement benefits without reduction based on age. For

persons reaching age 62 before 2000, the normal retirement age is 65. It will

increase gradually to 67 for persons reaching that age in 2027 or later, beginning with an increase to 65 years and 2 months for persons reaching age 65

in 2003. See table V.C3.

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund. See “Trust fund.”

Old-law base. Amount the contribution and benefit base would have been if

the 1977 amendments had not provided for ad hoc increases. The Social
223

Glossary

Security Amendments of 1972 provided for automatic annual indexing of the

contribution and benefit base. The Social Security Amendments of 1977 provided for ad hoc increases to the bases for 1979-81, with subsequent bases

updated in accordance with the normal indexing procedure. See table V.C2.

Open group unfunded obligation. See “Unfunded obligation.”

Other emigration. Other emigration for a given year consists of individuals

from the other-immigrant population who leave the Social Security area during the year or who adjust status to become legal permanent residents during

the year.

Other immigration. Other immigration for a given year consists of individuals who enter the Social Security area and stay 6 months or more but without legal permanent resident status, such as undocumented immigrants and

temporary workers and students.

Outgo. See “Disbursements.”

Par value. The value printed on the face of a bond. For both public and special issues held by the trust funds, par value is also the redemption value at

maturity.

Partial advance funding. A financing method in which contributions are

established to provide a substantial accumulation of trust fund assets, thereby

generating additional interest income to the trust funds and reducing the need

for payroll tax increases in periods when costs are relatively high. Higher

general contributions or additional borrowing may be required, however, to

support the payment of such interest. While substantial, the trust fund

buildup under partial advance funding is much smaller than it would be with

full advance funding.

Pay-as-you-go financing. A financing method in which contributions are

established to produce just as much income as required to pay current benefits, with trust fund assets built up only to the extent needed to prevent

exhaustion of the fund by random economic fluctuations.

Payment cycling. Beneficiaries who applied for benefits before May 1,

1997, are paid on the third of the month. Persons applying for OASDI benefits after April 1997 generally are paid on the second, third, or fourth

Wednesday of the month following the month for which payment is due. The

particular Wednesday payment date is based on the earner’s date of birth. For

those born on the first through tenth, the benefit payment day is the second

Wednesday of the month; for those born on the eleventh through the twentieth, the benefit payment day is the third Wednesday of the month; and for

those born after the twentieth of the month, the payment day is the fourth

Wednesday of the month.
Appendices

224

Payroll tax contributions. The amount based on a percent of earnings, up to

an annual maximum, that must be paid by:

 • employers and employees on wages from employment under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act,

 • the self-employed on net earnings from self-employment under the

Self-Employment Contributions Act, and

 • States on the wages of State and local government employees covered

under the Social Security Act through voluntary agreements under section 218 of the act. 

Also referred to as payroll taxes.

Population in the Social Security area. See “Social Security area population.”

Present value. The equivalent value, at the present time, of a future stream

of payments (either income or cost). The present value of a future stream of

payments may be thought of as the lump-sum amount that, if invested today,

together with interest earnings would be just enough to meet each of the payments as they fell due. Present values are used widely in calculations involving financial transactions over long periods of time to account for the time

value of money (interest). Present-value calculations for this report use the

effective yield on trust fund assets.

Primary insurance amount—PIA. The monthly amount payable to a

retired worker who begins to receive benefits at normal retirement age or

(generally) to a disabled worker. This amount, which is related to the

worker’s average monthly wage or average indexed monthly earnings, is also

used as a base for computing all types of benefits payable on an individual’s

earnings record.

Primary-insurance-amount formula. The mathematical formula relating

the PIA to the AIME for workers who attain age 62, become disabled, or die

after 1978. The PIA is equal to the sum of 90 percent of AIME up to the first

bend point, plus 32 percent of AIME above the first bend point up to the second bend point, plus 15 percent of AIME in excess of the second bend point.

Automatic benefit increases are applied beginning with the year of eligibility.

See table V.C2 for historical and assumed future bend points and table V.C1

for historical and assumed future benefit increases.

Quarters of coverage. Basic unit of measurement for determining insured

status. In 2012, a worker receives one quarter of coverage (up to a total of

four) for each $1,130 of annual covered earnings. For years after 1978, the

amount of earnings required for a quarter of coverage is subject to annual

automatic increases in proportion to increases in average wages. See table

V.C2. 
225

Glossary

Railroad retirement. A Federal insurance program, similar to Social Security, designed for workers in the railroad industry. The provisions of the Railroad Retirement Act provide for a system of coordination and financial

interchange between the Railroad Retirement program and the Social Security program.

Reallocation of payroll tax rates. An increase in the payroll tax rate for

either the OASI or DI Trust Fund, with a corresponding reduction in the rate

for the other fund, so that the total OASDI payroll tax rate is not changed. 

Real-wage differential. The difference between the percentage increases in:

(1) the average annual wage in covered employment; and (2) the average

annual Consumer Price Index. See table V.B1.

Recession. A period of adverse economic conditions; in particular, two or

more successive calendar quarters of negative growth in gross domestic

product.

Retired-worker benefit. A monthly benefit payable to a fully insured retired

worker aged 62 or older or to a person entitled under the transitionally

insured status provision in the law.

Retirement earnings test. See “Earnings test.”

Retirement eligibility age. The age, currently age 62, at which a fully

insured individual first becomes eligible to receive retired-worker benefits.

Retirement test. See “Earnings test.”

Scenario-based model. A model with specified assumptions for and relationships among variables. Under such a model, any specified set of assumptions determines a single outcome directly reflecting the specifications.

Self-employment. Operation of a trade or business by an individual or by a

partnership in which an individual is a member.

Self-Employment Contributions Act–SECA. Provision authorizing Social

Security payroll taxes on the net earnings of most self-employed persons.

Short range. The next 10 years. The Trustees prepare short-range actuarial

estimates for this period because of the short-range test of financial adequacy. The Social Security Act requires estimates for 5 years; the Trustees

prepare estimates for an additional 5 years to help clarify trends which are

only starting to develop in the mandated first 5-year period. 

Social Security Act. Provisions of the law governing most operations of the

Social Security program. The original Social Security Act is Public Law 74-

271, enacted August 14, 1935. With subsequent amendments, the Social

Security Act consists of 21 titles, of which three have been repealed. Title II

of the Social Security Act authorized the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability

Insurance program.
Appendices

226

Social Security area population. The population comprised of: (1) residents

of the 50 States and the District of Columbia (adjusted for net census undercount); (2) civilian residents of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,

American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands; (3) Federal civilian

employees and persons in the U.S. Armed Forces abroad and their dependents; (4) non-citizens living abroad who are insured for Social Security benefits; and (5) all other U.S. citizens abroad.

Solvency. A program is solvent at a point in time if it is able to pay scheduled benefits when due with scheduled financing. For example, the OASDI

program is solvent over any period for which the trust funds maintain a positive level of assets.

Special public-debt obligation. Securities of the United States Government

issued exclusively to the OASI, DI, HI, and SMI Trust Funds and other Federal trust funds. Section 201(d) of the Social Security Act provides that the

public-debt obligations issued for purchase by the OASI and DI Trust Funds

shall have maturities fixed with due regard for the needs of the funds. The

usual practice has been to spread the holdings of special issues, as of each

June 30, so that the amounts maturing in each of the next 15 years are

approximately equal. Special public-debt obligations are redeemable at par

value at any time and carry interest rates determined by law (see “Interest

rate”). See tables VI.A4 and VI.A5 for a listing of the obligations held by the

OASI and DI Trust Funds, respectively.

Statutory blindness. Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye

with the use of a correcting lens or tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less.

Stochastic model. A model used for projecting a probability distribution of

potential outcomes. Such models allow for random variation in one or more

variables through time. The random variation is generally based on fluctuations observed in historical data for a selected period. A large number of simulations, each of which reflects random variation in the variable(s), produce

a distribution of potential outcomes.

Substantial gainful activity—SGA. The level of work activity used to

establish disability. A finding of disability requires that a person be unable to

engage in substantial gainful activity. A person who earns more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily

considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person’s disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals;

Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals.

Both SGA amounts increase with increases in the national average wage

index.

Summarized balance. The difference between the summarized cost rate and

the summarized income rate, expressed as a percentage of taxable payroll.
227

Glossary

Summarized cost rate. The ratio of the present value of cost to the present

value of the taxable payroll for the years in a given period, expressed as a

percentage. To evaluate the financial adequacy of the program, the summarized cost rate is adjusted to include the cost of reaching and maintaining a

target trust fund level. A trust fund level of about 1 year’s cost is considered

to be an adequate reserve for unforeseen contingencies; therefore, the targeted trust fund ratio is 100 percent of annual cost. Accordingly, the adjusted

summarized cost rate is equal to the ratio of: (1) the sum of the present value

of the cost during the period plus the present value of the targeted ending

trust fund level; to (2) the present value of the taxable payroll during the projection period.

Summarized income rate. The ratio of the present value of scheduled noninterest income to the present value of taxable payroll for the years in a given

period, expressed as a percentage. To evaluate the financial adequacy of the

program, the summarized income rate is adjusted to include assets on hand at

the beginning of the period. Accordingly, the adjusted summarized income

rate equals the ratio of: (1) the sum of the trust fund balance at the beginning

of the period plus the present value of non-interest income during the period;

to (2) the present value of the taxable payroll for the years in the period.

Supplemental Security Income—SSI. A Federally administered program

(often with State supplementation) of cash assistance for needy aged, blind,

or disabled persons. The General Fund of the Treasury funds SSI and the

Social Security Administration administers it.

Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund. See “Trust fund.”

Survivor benefit. Benefit payable to a survivor of a deceased worker.

Sustainable solvency. Sustainable solvency for the financing of the program

has been achieved when the program has positive trust fund ratios throughout the 75-year projection period and these ratios are stable or rising at the

end of the period.

Taxable earnings. Wages or self-employment income, in employment covered by the OASDI or HI programs, that is under the applicable annual maximum taxable limit. For 1994 and later, no maximum taxable limit applies to

the HI program.

Taxable payroll. A weighted sum of taxable wages and taxable self-employment income. When multiplied by the combined employee-employer payroll

tax rate, taxable payroll yields the total amount of payroll taxes incurred by

employees, employers, and the self-employed for work during the period.

Taxable self-employment income. The maximum amount of net earnings

from self-employment by an earner which, when added to any taxable

wages, does not exceed the contribution and benefit base. For HI beginning

in 1994, all net earnings from self-employment.
Appendices

228

Taxable wages. See “Taxable earnings.”

Taxation of benefits. Beginning in 1984, Federal law subjected up to 50 percent of an individual’s or a couple’s OASDI benefits to Federal income taxation under certain circumstances. Treasury allocates the revenue derived

from this provision to the OASI and DI Trust Funds on the basis of the

income taxes paid on the benefits from each fund. Beginning in 1994, the

law increased the maximum percentage from 50 percent to 85 percent. The

HI Trust Fund receives the additional tax revenue resulting from the increase

to 85 percent.

Taxes. See “Payroll tax contributions” and “Taxation of benefits.”

Termination. Cessation of payment because the beneficiary is no longer

entitled to receive a specific type of benefit. For example, benefits might terminate as a result of the death of the beneficiary, the recovery of a disabled

beneficiary, or the attainment of age 18 by a child beneficiary. In some cases,

the individual may become immediately entitled to another type of benefit,

such as the conversion of a disabled-worker beneficiary at normal retirement

age to a retired-worker beneficiary.

Test of long-range close actuarial balance. The test of long-range close

actuarial balance applies to a set of 66 separate valuation periods beginning

with the first 10-year period, and including the periods of the first 11 years,

the first 12 years, up through the full 75-year projection period. Under the

long-range test, the Trustees analyze the actuarial balance ratio for each of

these valuation periods. The actuarial balance ratio is defined as the ratio of

the actuarial balance to the summarized cost rate. The long-range test is met

if, for each of the 66 valuation periods, the actuarial balance ratio is either:

(1) not negative; or (2) negative by at most a specified percentage, the

“allowable threshold.” The allowable threshold is zero for the first 10-year

period and decreases uniformly for longer periods until it reaches -5 percent

for the 75-year period. To recognize the greater uncertainty associated with

estimates for more distant years, the criterion for meeting the test is less

stringent for the longer periods. The Trustees apply the test to OASI, DI, and

the combined OASDI program based on the intermediate set of assumptions.

Test of short-range financial adequacy. The conditions required to meet

this test are:

 • If the trust fund ratio for a fund is at least 100 percent at the beginning

of the projection period, the test requires that it remain at or above

100 percent throughout the 10-year projection period;

 • Alternatively, if the ratio is initially less than 100 percent, then it must

reach at least 100 percent within 5 years (without depletion at any time

during this period) and then remain at or above 100 percent throughout

the remainder of the 10-year period. 
229

Glossary

The Trustees apply the test to OASI, DI, and the combined OASDI program

based on the intermediate set of assumptions.

Total fertility rate. The average number of children that would be born to a

woman in her lifetime if she were to experience the birth rates by age

observed in, or assumed for, a specified year, and if she were to survive the

entire childbearing period.

Trust fund. Separate accounts in the United States Treasury which hold the

payroll taxes received under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and the

Self-Employment Contributions Act; payroll taxes resulting from coverage

of State and local government employees; any sums received under the

financial interchange with the railroad retirement account; voluntary hospital

and medical insurance premiums; and reimbursements or payments from the

General Fund of the Treasury. As required by law, the Department of the

Treasury invests funds not required to meet current expenditures in interestbearing securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

The interest earned is also deposited in the trust funds.

 • Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI). The trust fund used for

paying monthly benefits to retired-worker (old-age) beneficiaries, their

spouses and children, and to survivors of deceased insured workers.

 • Disability Insurance (DI). The trust fund used for paying monthly benefits to disabled-worker beneficiaries, their spouses and children, and

for providing rehabilitation services to the disabled.

 • Hospital Insurance (HI). The trust fund used for paying part of the

costs of inpatient hospital services and related care for aged and disabled individuals who meet the eligibility requirements. Also known as

Medicare Part A.

 • Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI). The Medicare trust fund

composed of the Part B Account, the Part D Account, and the Transitional Assistance Account. The Part B Account pays for a portion of the

costs of physicians’ services, outpatient hospital services, and other

related medical and health services for voluntarily enrolled aged and

disabled individuals. The Part D Account pays private plans to provide

prescription drug coverage, beginning in 2006. The Transitional Assistance Account paid for transitional assistance under the prescription

drug card program in 2004 and 2005.

Trust fund ratio. A measure of trust fund adequacy. The assets at the beginning of a year, which do not include advance tax transfers, expressed as a

percentage of the cost for the year. The trust fund ratio represents the proportion of a year’s cost which could be paid solely with the assets at the beginning of the year.

Trustees. See “Board of Trustees”.
Appendices

230

Unfunded obligation. A measure of the shortfall of trust fund income to

fully cover program cost through a specified date after exhaustion of trust

fund assets. This measure is computed as the excess of the present value of

the projected cost of the program through a specified date over the sum of:

(1) the value of trust fund assets at the beginning of the valuation period; and

(2) the present value of the projected non-interest income of the program

through a specified date, assuming scheduled tax rates and benefit levels.

This measure can apply for all participants through a specified date, i.e. the

open group, or be limited to a specified subgroup of participants.

Unfunded obligation ratio. The unfunded obligation at the beginning of a

year expressed as a percentage of the present value of the cost for the year.

Unnegotiated check. A check which has not been cashed 6 months after the

end of the month in which the check was issued. When a check has been outstanding for a year, the Department of the Treasury administratively cancels

the check and reimburses the issuing trust fund separately for the amount of

the check and interest for the period the check was outstanding. The appropriate trust fund also receives an interest adjustment for the time the check

was outstanding if it is cashed 6-12 months after the month of issue. If a

check is presented for payment after it has been administratively cancelled, a

replacement check is issued.

Valuation period. A period of years which is considered as a unit for purposes of calculating the financial status of a trust fund.

Vocational rehabilitation. Services provided to disabled persons to help

them to return to gainful employment. The trust funds reimburse the providers of such services only in those cases where the services contributed to the

successful rehabilitation of the beneficiaries.

Year of exhaustion. The year in which a trust fund becomes unable to pay

benefits when due because the assets of the fund have been depleted.
List of Tables

231

II. OVERVIEW

II.B1 Summary of 2011 Trust Fund Financial Operations . . . . . . . . 6

II.B2 Payroll Tax Contribution Rates for 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

II.C1 Long-Range Values of Key Demographic and Economic 

Assumptions for the 75-year Projection Period. . . . . . . . . . . . 8

II.D1 Projected Maximum Trust Fund Ratios During the Long-Range 

Period and Trust Fund Exhaustion Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

II.D2 Reasons for Change in the 75-Year Actuarial Balance,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

III. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF THE TRUST FUNDS AND

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES IN THE LAST YEAR

III.A1 Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Calendar Year 2011 . . . . 25

III.A2 Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Year 2011 . . . . . . . 28

III.A3 Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, 

Calendar Year 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

III.A4 Comparison of Actual Calendar Year 2011 Trust Fund Operations

With Estimates Made in Prior Reports, Based on Intermediate 

Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

III.A5 Distribution of Benefit Payments by Type of Beneficiary or 

Payment, Calendar Years 2010 and 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

III.A6 Administrative Expenses as a Percentage of Non-interest Income 

and of Total Expenditures, Calendar Years 2007-11 . . . . . . . . 33

III.A7 Trust Fund Investment Transactions, Calendar Year 2011 . . . . 33

IV. ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES

IV.A1 Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 2007-21 . 37

IV.A2 Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 2007-21 . . . 40

IV.A3 Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

Calendar Years 2007-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

IV.A4 Reasons for Change in Trust Fund Ratios at the Beginning 

of the Tenth Year of Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

IV.B1 Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances,

Calendar Years 1990-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

IV.B2 Covered Workers and Beneficiaries, 

Calendar Years 1945-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

IV.B3 Trust Fund Ratios, Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

IV.B4 Components of Summarized Income Rates and Cost Rates, 

Calendar Years 2012-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
List of Tables

232

IV.B5 Components of 75-Year Actuarial Balance

Under Intermediate Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

IV.B6 Unfunded OASDI Obligations Through the Infinite Horizon,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

IV.B7 Present Values of OASDI Cost Less Non-interest Income

and Unfunded Obligations for Program Participants,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

IV.B8 Comparison of Actuarial Balance Ratios With the 

Allowable Threshold in the Test of Long-Range 

Close Actuarial Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

IV.B9 Reasons for Change in the 75-Year Actuarial Balance,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

V. ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS UNDERLYING

ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES

V.A1 Principal Demographic Assumptions, 

Calendar Years 1940-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

V.A2 Social Security Area Population as of July 1 and Dependency 

Ratios, Calendar Years 1950-2090. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

V.A3 Period Life Expectancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

V.A4 Cohort Life Expectancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

V.B1 Principal Economic Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

V.B2 Additional Economic Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

V.C1 Cost-of-Living Benefit Increases, Average Wage Index, 

Contribution and Benefit Bases, and Retirement Earnings Test 

Exempt Amounts, 1975-2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

V.C2 Values for Selected Wage-Indexed Program Parameters, 

Calendar Years 1978-2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

V.C3 Legislated Changes in Normal Retirement Age and Delayed 

Retirement Credits for Persons Reaching Age 62 in 

Each Year 1986 and Later. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

V.C4 OASI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status

at the End of Calendar Years 1945-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

V.C5 DI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status

at the End of Calendar Years 1960-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

V.C6 Contribution and Benefit Base and 

Payroll Tax Contribution Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

V.C7 Annual Scheduled Benefit Amounts for Retired Workers

With Various Pre-Retirement Earnings Patterns

Based on Intermediate Assumptions, 

Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
List of Tables

233

VI. APPENDICES

A. HISTORY OF OASI AND DI TRUST FUND OPERATIONS

VI.A1 Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, 

Calendar Years 1937-2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

VI.A2 Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 1957-2011 . . 150

VI.A3 Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

Calendar Years 1957-2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

VI.A4 Assets of the OASI Trust Fund, End of Calendar Years 2010 and 

2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

VI.A5 Assets of the DI Trust Fund, End of Calendar 

Years 2010 and 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

B. HISTORY OF ACTUARIAL STATUS ESTIMATES

VI.B1 Long-Range OASDI Actuarial Balances and Trust Fund Exhaustion 

Dates as Shown in the Trustees Reports for 1982-2012 . . . . . . 158

C. FISCAL YEAR HISTORICAL DATA AND

PROJECTIONS THROUGH 2021

VI.C1 Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Fiscal Year 2011. . . . . . . 163

VI.C2 Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Fiscal Year 2011 . . . . . . . . . 164

VI.C3 Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, 

Fiscal Year 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

VI.C4 Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Fiscal Years 2007-21 . . . 166

VI.C5 Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Fiscal Years 2007-21 . . . . . . 167

VI.C6 Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

Fiscal Years 2007-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

D. LONG-RANGE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

VI.D1 Sensitivity to Varying Fertility Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

VI.D2 Sensitivity to Varying Death-Rate Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . 171

VI.D3 Sensitivity to Varying Net-Immigration Assumptions . . . . . . . 172

VI.D4 Sensitivity to Varying Real-Wage Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . 174

VI.D5 Sensitivity to Varying CPI-Increase Assumptions. . . . . . . . . . 175

VI.D6 Sensitivity to Varying Real-Interest Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . 176

VI.D7 Sensitivity to Varying Disability Incidence Assumptions. . . . . 177

VI.D8 Sensitivity to Varying Disability Termination Assumptions. . . 178

E. STOCHASTIC PROJECTIONS AND UNCERTAINTY

VI.E1 Long-Range Estimates Relating to the Actuarial Status of

the Combined OASDI Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
List of Tables

234

F. ESTIMATES FOR OASDI AND HI, SEPARATE AND COMBINED

VI.F1 Payroll Tax Contribution Rates for the OASDI and 

HI Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

VI.F2 OASDI and HI Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances,

Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

VI.F3 Summarized OASDI and HI Income Rates and Cost Rates for 

Valuation Periods, Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

VI.F4 OASDI and HI Annual and Summarized Income, Cost, and 

Balance as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 2012-90. . . . 197

VI.F5 Ratio of OASDI Taxable Payroll to GDP, 

Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

VI.F6 Selected Economic Variables, Calendar Years 2011-90 . . . . . . 202

VI.F7 Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds,

in CPI-indexed 2012 Dollars, Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . 204

VI.F8 Operations of the Combined OASI and DI Trust Funds, 

in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

VI.F9 OASDI and HI Annual Non-interest Income, Cost, and

Balance in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 2012-90 . . . . . . . 208

G. ANALYSIS OF BENEFIT DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE OASI 

TRUST FUND WITH RESPECT TO DISABLED BENEFICIARIES

VI.G1 Benefit Disbursements From the OASI Trust Fund

With Respect to Disabled Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

VI.G2 Benefit Disbursements Under the OASDI Program

With Respect to Disabled Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
List of Figures

235

II. OVERVIEW

II.D1 Short-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

II.D2 OASDI Income, Cost, and Expenditures as Percentages of 

Taxable Payroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

II.D3 Number of Covered Workers Per OASDI Beneficiary. . . . . . . 12

II.D4 OASDI Cost and Non-interest Income as a Percentage 

of GDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

II.D5 Cumulative Scheduled OASDI Income Less Cost,

From Program Inception Through Years 2011-86 . . . . . . . . . . 15

II.D6 Long-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratios Under Alternative 

Scenarios. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

II.D7 Long-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratios From Stochastic 

Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

II.D8 OASDI Annual Balances: 2011 and 2012 Trustees Reports. . . 20

IV. ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES

IV.A1 Short-Range OASI and DI Trust Fund Ratios. . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

IV.B1 Long-Range OASI and DI Annual Income Rates and 

Cost Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

IV.B2 Number of OASDI Beneficiaries Per 100 Covered Workers . . 55

IV.B3 Long-Range OASI and DI Trust Fund Ratios. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

IV.B4 Test of Long-Range Close Actuarial Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

IV.B5 OASDI Annual Balances: 2011 and 2012 Trustees Reports. . . 74

V. ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS UNDERLYING

ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES

V.C1 Primary-Insurance-Amount Formula for Those Newly Eligible 

in 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

V.C2 Maximum-Family-Benefit Formula for Those Newly Eligible 

in 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

V.C3 DI Disability Incidence Rates, 1970-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

V.C4 DI Disability Termination Rates, 1970-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

V.C5 Comparison of DI Disability Incidence Rates, Termination 

Rates and Conversion Ratios Under Intermediate Assumptions, 

1970-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

V.C6 DI Disability Prevalence Rates, 1970-2090 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
List of Figures

236

VI. APPENDICES

VI.E1 Long-Range OASDI Cost Rates From Stochastic Modeling . . 181

VI.E2 Long-Range OASDI Trust Fund Ratios From Stochastic 

Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

VI.E3 OASDI Cost Rates: Comparison of Stochastic to Low-Cost, 

Intermediate, and High-Cost Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

VI.E4 OASDI Trust Fund (Unfunded Obligation) Ratios: Comparison 

of Stochastic to Low-Cost, Intermediate, and High-Cost 

Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

VI.F1 Estimated OASDI Income and Cost in CPI-indexed 2012 Dollars,

Based on Intermediate Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
237

Index

A

Actuarial balance 10, 14, 46, 156, 169

Actuarial balance ratio 67, 68, 69, 70

Actuarial balance, long-range test 70

Actuarial deficit 4, 14, 21, 61, 194

Actuarial estimates, LR 46

Actuarial estimates, SR 35

Adjusted program amounts 107

Administrative expenses 6, 32, 47, 143, 147, 163, 195, 203

Advance tax transfers 56, 149

Amendments 34

Annual balance 19, 46, 71

Assets 2, 6, 9, 26, 35, 147, 163, 176, 189, 201

Assumptions 9, 76, 92, 107, 156, 169, 190, 195, 200, 210

Automatic cost-of-living benefit increase 39, 93, 107

Auxiliary benefits 117

Average benefits 140

Average earnings assumptions 95

Average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) 110

Average wage index 107, 200

Award 118

B

Baby-boom generation 3, 21, 41, 47, 52, 100, 125

Bend points 110

Beneficiaries, DI 124

Beneficiary 11, 39, 52, 76, 108, 159, 170, 195, 203, 210

Beneficiary, OASI 118

Benefit payments 6, 36, 47, 140, 147, 163, 175, 195, 203, 212

Benefit termination 8, 41

Best estimate 8, 21, 35, 76

Board of Trustees 35, 92, 145

C

Close actuarial balance 46, 67

Constant dollars 205

Consumer Price Index 93, 174, 200, 215

Contribution and benefit base 38, 95, 108, 215

Contributions 6, 145, 163, 189, 195, 203, 214

Cost 3

Cost rate 3, 10, 46, 189

Cost-of-living adjustment 107

Covered earnings 6, 107, 199

Covered employment 8, 38, 95, 115, 145, 173
Index

238

Covered worker 54, 115, 171

Creditable earnings 217

Current dollars 200

Current-payment status 41, 129, 130, 131, 216

D

Deemed wage credit 47

Delayed retirement credit 114

Demographic assumptions 8, 19, 35, 77, 100, 107, 156, 201, 214

Deterministic model 179, 188

DI beneficiaries 124

Disability 145, 172, 210

Disability conversion ratio 129

Disability incidence rate 76, 125, 127, 172, 177, 214

Disability Insurance Trust Fund 216

Disability prevalence rate 131, 133

Disability termination rate 177

Disabled-worker benefit 127, 218

Disbursements 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, 35, 163, 164, 165, 211, 213

E

Earnings 2, 6, 38, 47, 95, 108, 145, 157, 189, 199, 200, 214

Earnings test 95, 108, 215

Economic assumptions 8, 19, 35, 44, 92, 100, 107, 156, 201, 214

Excess wages 47, 200

Expenditures 6, 8, 27, 33, 35, 39, 42, 147, 218

F

Federal Insurance Contributions Act 189, 224

Fertility assumptions 77

Financial interchange 6, 143, 147

Fiscal year 81, 149, 162

Full advance funding 219

G

General Fund of the Treasury 37, 39, 40, 43, 149, 151, 153, 166, 167, 168,

214

General fund reimbursement 219

Gross domestic product 3, 10, 52, 76, 93, 102, 195

Gross domestic product projections 102

H

High-cost assumptions 8, 16, 35, 36, 47, 76, 92, 128, 169, 187, 190, 195,

200, 215

Hospital Insurance program 137, 189, 222

Hospital Insurance Trust Fund 195
239

Index

I

Immigration 8, 76, 77, 80, 84, 172, 179, 214, 220

Immigration assumptions 80

Income rate 3, 10, 46, 189

Infinite horizon 10

Inflation 8, 76, 93, 200, 214

Inflation assumptions 93

Insured population 8, 116

Insured status 112

Interest 38, 103, 146, 156, 163, 191, 214

Interest rate 76, 156, 176, 214

Interest rate projections 103

Interest rates 8

Interfund borrowing 149, 221

Intermediate assumptions 8, 35, 39, 47, 76, 128, 169, 191, 195, 200, 204,

205, 206, 210, 214

L

Labor force projections 100

Legal immigration 81, 85, 221

Life expectancy 3, 21, 76, 89, 100, 221

Life expectancy estimates 88

Long range 10, 46, 77, 118, 156, 189, 195

Low-cost assumptions 8, 16, 35, 47, 76, 92, 128, 169, 187, 190, 200, 214

Lump-sum death payment 140

M

Medicare 79, 222

Military service 37, 40, 43, 47, 95, 144, 145, 149, 151, 153, 166, 167, 168

N

National average wage index 107, 200

Normal retirement age 108, 124, 140, 217

O

OASI beneficiaries 118

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund 145, 216

Old-law base 112

Other immigration 80, 172, 223

P

Par value 146

Partial advance funding 223

Pay-as-you-go financing 156

Payroll taxes 2, 22, 61, 107, 134, 159, 169, 189, 203

Population estimates 86
Index

240

Population in the Social Security area 38, 55, 86, 115, 172

Present value 156

Primary insurance amount (PIA) 110

Productivity assumptions 93

Q

Quarters of coverage 116

R

Railroad Retirement 47, 60, 112, 143, 147, 163, 164, 165, 189, 195, 203,

216

Reallocation of tax rates 225

Real-wage differential 97, 173

Recession 10, 31, 38

Retired-worker benefit 118, 171, 210

Retirement age 41, 108, 140, 217

Retirement earnings test 95, 108

Retirement eligibility age 171

S

Scenario-based model 225

Self-employment 47, 94, 190, 224

Self-Employment Contributions Act 224, 225

Sensitivity analysis 169

Short range 9, 35, 118

Social Security Act 107, 146, 200, 210, 216

Social Security amendments 34

Solvency 226

Special public-debt obligation 106, 146, 176

Stochastic projections 179

Substantial gainful activity 124, 217

Summarized balance 196

Summarized income and cost rates 60, 156, 169, 193, 214

Supplemental Security Income 163

Supplementary Medical Insurance program 189, 222

Survivor benefit 2, 7, 121, 215

Sustainable solvency 56, 57

T

Taxable earnings 38, 55, 108, 157, 215

Taxable payroll 4, 21, 47, 94, 116, 156, 170, 189, 195, 200, 216

Taxable self-employment income 227

Taxable wages 139, 190, 227

Taxation of benefits 6, 139, 195, 203, 220

Taxes 6, 107, 190
241

Index

Termination 41, 76

Termination rate 8, 41, 118, 177, 214

Test of short-range financial adequacy 36, 68, 225

Total fertility rate 77, 169

Trust fund financial operations 6, 23, 36, 145

Trust fund ratio 9, 35, 46, 56, 149, 166, 229

U

Unemployment projections 100

Unfunded obligation 4, 10, 14, 15, 19, 46, 63, 64, 66, 67, 187, 223, 229, 230

Unnegotiated check 163

V

Valuation period 14, 46, 156, 169, 193, 214

Vocational rehabilitation 47, 147, 164, 195, 203, 212, 216

Y

Year of exhaustion 10, 13, 22, 46, 58
242

STATEMENT OF ACTUARIAL OPINION

It is my opinion that: (1) the techniques and methodology used herein to

evaluate the financial and actuarial status of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds are based upon sound

principles of actuarial practice and are generally accepted within the actuarial profession; and (2) the assumptions used and the resulting actuarial estimates are, individually and in the aggregate, reasonable for the purpose of

evaluating the financial and actuarial status of the trust funds, taking into

consideration the past experience and future expectations for the population,

the economy, and the program.

Stephen C. Goss,

Associate of the Society of Actuaries,

Member of the American Academy of Actuaries,

Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration