Social Security at 91: What You Need to Know Now

Social Security recently turned 91—but are you taking advantage of everything the program has to offer? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, I’m joined by Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AARP, to talk about new research showing that roughly 40% of Americans over 50 still don't have a “my Social Security” account. We discuss what you can find online—from your complete earnings history and estimated future benefits to replacement cards and application updates—and why having access to that information can be an important part of retirement planning. We also tackle one of the biggest questions surrounding Social Security: Is the program really running out of money? Bill explains why that's not quite accurate, what the projected funding shortfall could mean for future benefits, and why Congress will eventually have to act. If Social Security will be part of your retirement income, this is a conversation worth hearing. Because retirement isn't just about having enough money—it's about having the freedom to create unforgettable experiences. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimization Watch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow Follow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement -- About Take Pride in Retirement: Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Chapters (00:00:00) - Take Pride in Retirement (00:00:57) - Social Security Turns 91 Years Old (00:01:25) - Social Security's 91st Birthday: Do You Need It? (00:03:51) - AARP on Social Security Customer Service (00:05:46) - Social Security: Is it Running Out of Money? (00:08:10) - Sen. Bill Sweeney on Social Security Retirement (00:08:30) - To Take Pride in Retirement