Most Americans think they know Social Security, AARP finds — but here's what they get wrong

A majority of Americans — 74% — say they are somewhat to very informed about how Social Security works, according to a new survey from AARP. Yet the results show they could stand to know more about certain program features.

Almost all respondents, 96%, say Social Security is important, regardless of their age or political affiliation.

Even with Social Security’s popularity, confidence in the future of the program has dropped 7 percentage points in the past five years — to 36% in 2025 down from 43% in 2020, AARP found.

Social Security provides monthly benefit checks to more than 70 million Americans, including retirees, disabled individuals and families. The program, which was created with legislation that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law on August 14, 1935, is now approaching its 90th anniversary.

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