80% of Americans Worried About Long-Term Health of Medicare, Social Security
A new survey by eHealth and Retirable finds that 80% of Americans worry Medicare and Social Security won’t be available when they need them, amid projections that both trust funds could be depleted by 2034.
Most (80%) of Americans are worried that Medicare and Social Security won’t be there when they become eligible, according to the results of a recent survey released today. The survey was done as part of a partnership between eHealth Inc., a private health insurance agency and online marketplace, and Retirable, a retirement planning and investing platform.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury estimates that the trust funds for Social Security will be depleted by 2034, with only 81% of benefits payable at that time, according to a news release published last month. A Medicare trust fund that covers hospital insurance may also run dry by 2034. This is sooner than previously expected—last year, funding for these programs was predicted to run dry in 2035 or 2036.
Reasons for fund depletions include an aging population and longer life expectancies.
Medicare and Social Security both have significant birthdays this summer, with Medicare turning 60 on July 30 and Social Security turning 90 on August 14.
"Medicare and Social Security have served as vital social safety net programs for decades, but our survey shows millions of Americans are concerned about the long-term sustainability of each," Fran Soistman, CEO of eHealth, said in a news release. "At the same time, many people have misperceptions or lack the information necessary to maximize the value of these programs, which can harm their financial well-being or quality of life."
Together, Retirable and eHealth gathered the responses of 1,111 Americans during a general population survey conducted in June 2025.
Read the slideshow below to see the survey highlights.
Conversations with Perry and Friends: Saar Mahna, J.D., MBA
July 7th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the "Conversations with Perry and Friends" podcast. In this episode, Cohen speaks with Saar Mahna, J.D., MBA, CEO and founder of Banjo Health, an artificial intelligence company focused on prior authorization.
Listen
Conversations With Perry and Friends: Paul Fronstin, Ph.D.
May 9th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the Conversations with Perry and Friends podcast. In this episode, his guest is Paul Fronstin, Ph.D., director of health benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
Listen
Gene Therapy Shows Promise for Hereditary Deafness Across Age Groups
Published: July 9th 2025 | Updated: July 9th 2025All 10 participants in this trial showed improvements in hearing within the first month of receiving the gene therapy, which delivered healthy copies of the OTOF gene.
Read More
