social security trust fund
Definition
The Social Security Trust Funds refer to two separate accounts managed by the U.S. Social Security Administration: the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund. These funds accumulate surpluses from payroll taxes designated for Social Security benefits.
The trust funds invest exclusively in special-issue U.S. Treasury securities, acting as a reserve to cover benefit payments during periods when incoming revenues fall short of outflows.
Examples
Thanks to Washington's masterful oversight, the social security trust fund is barreling toward depletion by 2032, right on schedule for maximum drama.
The social security trust fund sits comfortably stocked with Treasury IOUs, the government's favorite way to say 'pay you later.'
Politicians pat themselves on the back for bolstering the social security trust fund, even as projections whisper sweet nothings about benefit cuts.
Like a family vacation fund raided one 'emergency' barbecue at a time, the social security trust fund edges closer to empty.