Millions of Americans worry that Medicare and Social Security may not be there when they need them most.
A new Gallup study finds that about 40% of U.S. adults — roughly 110 million people — doubt that Medicare or Social Security will still be available within the next 10 years.
The findings come from the State of the States 2025 survey, conducted by the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America. Researchers surveyed nearly 20,000 adults nationwide between June and August.
Younger adults are the most skeptical. Half or more of Americans under 50 say it is unlikely that either program will still exist a decade from now.
Concern rising fast
Worries about benefit changes are also growing. About six in 10 adults say they are more concerned today than they were a year ago about possible changes to Medicare and Social Security benefits.
That anxiety cuts across much of the population but is strongest among people with higher healthcare needs. Those managing chronic conditions, taking multiple prescriptions, or living with anxiety, depression, or compromised immune systems report especially high concern.
Political differences are stark. More than 80% of Democrats say they are more worried than last year, compared with about six in 10 independents and roughly three in 10 Republicans.
Programs seen as essential
Despite doubts about their future, Americans who rely on these programs overwhelmingly say they are critical to affording healthcare.
Ninety-one percent of Medicare recipients say the program is important to their ability to pay for care. Eighty-four percent of Social Security recipients say the same.
The importance is even greater for people with lower incomes or poorer health. Those earning under $48,000 a year and those who describe their health as fair or poor are far more likely to say the programs are extremely important.
What’s at stake
The survey highlights growing unease as both programs approach major milestones — Medicare’s 60th anniversary and Social Security’s 90th — while federal forecasts warn of possible insolvency within the next decade.
Researchers say any cuts to benefits or access could have wide-reaching effects, especially for lower-income Americans and those with significant medical needs.
Full state-by-state results are available through the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America.
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