Ask Rusty - “Concerned about Social Security Solvency?” Dear Rusty: I retired at age 58. My husband and I worked 40 years of employment each. I had a 401K only...no other benefits. We saved, we invested through our financial advisor and have done okay watching our investments grow (except for the last 3 years). Neither my husband nor I have taken Social Security; we were both waiting until age 70 to get full benefits. Do you think this is still wise? I’m concerned there will not be any funds in 5 years when we both turn 70. Signed: Concerned SeniorDear Concerned Senior: Your question relates to Social Security solvency, no doubt inspired by the recent spate of media discussion on this topic. Most articles I’ve read promote a “doomsday” scenario and, in fairness, Social Security’s financial issues are serious. The latest report from the Trustees of Social Security warned Congress that the reserves now held in Social Security’s Trust Fund (which enable full benefits to be paid) will be depleted as early as 2033. What you may not know is that this is not new news - the Trustees have sounded the same warning for decades to multiple Congresses which have neglected to enact corrective measures. And, unfortunately, they are likely to continue to drag their feet for a while because the reform needed is not politically palatable and the impact is still a few years away.Nevertheless, although Social Security’s looming financial issues are serious, they are not fatal. Congress already knows how to fix Social Security’s financial issues - they just currently lack the bipartisan spirit and political will needed to do so. The clock, however, is ticking and Congress will be forced to act soon, which we are confident will happen before the Trust Funds run dry. What motivates most politicians is getting reelected and allowing an across the board cut to all Social Security recipients (which would happen if the Trust Fund reserves were depleted) would be political suicide. Therefore, I’m confident that reform will occur in time, and I don’t suggest changing your Social Security claiming strategy over worries about Social Security’s solvency.Let me further allay your fears by explaining what would hypothetically happen in the worst case scenario (if Congress doesn’t act and Trust Funds are depleted). If that were to occur, when the reserves are depleted in about 2033 everyone would face an across ...