Page "Social Security debate in the United States" Paragraph 17

Increasing unemployment due to the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 – 2010 has significantly reduced the amount of payroll tax income that funds Social Security.

Further, the crisis also caused more to apply for both retirement and disability benefits than expected.

During 2009, payroll taxes and taxation of benefits resulted in cash revenues of $ 689. 2 billion, while payments totaled $ 685. 8 billion, resulting in a cash surplus ( excluding interest ) of $ 3. 4 billion.

Interest of $ 118. 3 billion meant that the Social Security Trust Fund overall increased by $ 121. 7 billion ( i. e., the cash surplus plus interest ).

The 2009 cash surplus of $ 3. 4 billion was a significant reduction from the $ 63. 9 billion cash surplus of 2008.