3 in 4 Americans Under 65 Concerned About Future of Medicare

Three-quarters of Americans under 65 currently worry that Medicare won’t be available by the time they need it, the results of the new West Health-Gallup 2024 Survey on American Aging show. The poll, published today, also revealed that 80% of Americans under 62 worry the Social Security program will disappear.

By 2034, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that adults 65 and older will outnumber children under 18 for the first time, making it one of the most significant demographic changes in U.S. history.

These fears may be warranted since Medicare’s hospital insurance trust fund is predicted to run dry by 2036. Social Security trust funds are also predicted to be gone by 2037, leaving retired Americans without full benefits.

The Survey on Aging in America included input from more than 5,000 U.S. adults. In addition to Social Security and Medicare fears, respondents also shared their thoughts on what the U.S. government prioritizes (hint: it’s not them).

Highlights from the survey: