If that’s the case end it and just pay indigent elderly welfare.
That might be an option. Our brilliant legislators here in Oregon are working on a plan to require every business to set up a retirement plan for its workers. Do that, as well as allow the SS tax to go into that account. Make it portable so it travels with the employee. When those people reach retirement age, they’ll have to see if there’s enough money to do so. In the meantime, means-test SS for everyone else & start a program of moving money back to individuals to fund their own retirement. We’re going to have to pay back that $18 trillion one way or another. Better get on with it.