New AARP Survey Shows Confidence in the Future of Social Security Among Younger Adults at 15-Year-Low

A new AARP report released today, ahead of Social Security’s 90th anniversary, reveals Americans’ confidence in the future of Social Security has declined by 7 percentage points in the last five years, from 43% in 2020 to 36% in 2025. This is the lowest level since 2010, when confidence in Social Security was at 35%. Younger adults are generally less confident: just 25% of people ages 18-49 are confident in the program’s future, compared to 48% of those 50 and older.

The report also shows that more than two-thirds of Americans (67%) view Social Security as more important to retirees today than five years ago. Overall, 96% of Americans consider Social Security important, with broad agreement across party lines: 98% of Democrats, 95% of Republicans and 93% of Independents all say the same.

“AARP will never stop fighting to protect the Social Security payments that Oklahomans have earned from a lifetime of hard work,” said AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl.

“I believe Social Security is a critical benefit earned through years of contributions by most Americans and for many is a resource they must rely on to survive in their retirement,” said Norman, an Oklahoma City resident and Social Security recipient.

Norman is one of 838,254 people in Oklahoma counting on the Social Security they’ve earned to be there when they need it. 43%, or 262,494 Oklahoma residents, rely on Social Security for at least 50% of their income, and for 22%, or 135,460 Oklahoma residents, it is 90% of their income.

Additional findings from the survey show:

· Nearly two in three (65%) retired Americans say they rely substantially on Social Security, while another 21 percent say they rely on it somewhat. In 2020, 63% of retired Americans said they relied substantially on Social Security, jumping from 58% in both 2015 and 2010.

· More than three-quarters of Americans (78%) are worried that Social Security will not provide enough to live on during retirement. In 2020, 74% of people said the same.

· Sixty-two percent of people think the average Social Security payment of $2,000/month is too low. In 2020, 65% of people thought the average monthly payment was too low, compared to 61% in 2015 and 54% in 2010.

· Consistent with previous surveys, 89% of people believe Social Security makes it possible for older Americans to remain independent.

The Social Security Trustees Report, released in June, showed that if no action is taken by Congress prior to 2034, Social Security will only be able to pay out 81% of promised benefits from then on. According to the report, more than 82 million Americans are projected to be receiving Social Security retirement benefits in 2035.

The 90^th anniversary report builds on AARP’s long-standing public opinion research on Social Security and examines how views have changed since 2005 on Social Security’s role in retirement, its importance to future generations, and the barriers Americans face in saving for retirement.

Methodology: AARP commissioned a national survey of 3,599 adults ages 18 and older to understand their attitudes and opinions on Social Security. The interviews were conducted June 18–23, 2025, online and by telephone. The data are weighted by age, gender, census division, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and AARP membership.