On my, how can any issues be resolved when there are people spreading this nonsense (and others believing it)?

The trust invested in treasury bonds as it has since 1939, those bonds pay interest to the trust. In 2021 the trust began regularly redeeming bonds and now that money is paying SS benefits.

The trust will deplete its reserves only after all the treasury bonds it holds have been redeemed – “paid back” – if you want to phrase it that way.

Under the current pension plan it would take a member of Congress 73-80 years (depending on age at retirement) of service to have a pension equal to 80% of their highest three year average salary. No separate SS fund exists.

The same pension plan (and health benefits) applies to all federal employees.