A new federal report is raising concerns about the future of Social Security, the program that helps millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and families who have lost a loved one.

The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report, released on June 9, says that one of the program’s main trust funds could run out of enough money to pay full benefits by 2032 if Congress does not take action. If that happens, the law would require benefits to be reduced by about 22%.

For many Americans, that would be difficult. For many Black, Hispanic, Native American, and other underserved communities, the impact could be even greater.

Social Security is more than a retirement check. It helps people pay for food, rent, medicine, and other everyday needs. It also provides income to people who can no longer work because of a disability and to families after the death of a working parent or spouse.

Many families in communities of color depend on Social Security more than other groups because they often have fewer savings, smaller retirement accounts, and less wealth to fall back on after they stop working.

Imagine a grandmother in Detroit who receives $1,500 each month from Social Security. She uses that money to pay her rent, buy groceries, and purchase medicine for diabetes. If her monthly check were cut by 22%, she would lose about $330 every month. That could mean choosing between paying for medication or keeping the lights on.

The report is also important for workers who are years away from retirement.

Think about a warehouse worker in Houston who has spent decades doing physically demanding work. If an injury or serious illness keeps him from working, Social Security Disability Insurance could become his family’s main source of income. These benefits help many families avoid falling into poverty when someone can no longer earn a paycheck.

The same is true for survivor benefits.

Imagine a mother in Atlanta whose husband dies unexpectedly. Their children may qualify for monthly Social Security survivor benefits that help pay for housing, school supplies, and groceries while the family adjusts to life without his income. These benefits provide financial stability during one of the hardest times a family can face.

The Social Security program is designed to replace a larger share of income for workers who earned lower wages throughout their careers. Because many people in minority communities have historically worked in lower-paying jobs due to long-standing economic inequalities, this part of the program provides especially important support.

Without Social Security, many more older Americans would live in poverty. Research has shown that the program is one of the nation’s strongest tools for reducing poverty among older adults. Experts say poverty rates among Black, Hispanic, and Native American seniors would rise dramatically without these monthly benefits.

The Trustees Report does not mean benefit cuts will happen tomorrow. Current retirees and workers will continue receiving benefits. However, the report serves as a warning that Congress has several years to strengthen the program before the projected funding shortfall arrives.

Lawmakers have several options they could consider, including increasing payroll taxes, changing benefit formulas, adjusting the retirement age, or combining several approaches. Any changes would require action by Congress and the President.

For now, the report highlights an important reality: millions of Americans rely on Social Security every month, and many families in communities of color depend on it as their primary source of financial security.

As Congress debates the future of Social Security, the decisions made over the next few years could affect whether millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and surviving family members can continue paying for the basic necessities that keep them healthy, safe, and independent.