Social Security Strained

The stampede for Social Security disability benefits has put an unprecedented strain on the system. Applications are up nearly 50 percent over a decade ago and new Congressional estimates say the trust fund that supports Social Security will run out of money by 2017. The trustees who oversee Social Security are urging Congress to shore up the disability system by reallocating money from the retirement program, just as lawmakers did in 1994. That, however, would provide only short-term relief at the expense of weakening the retirement program. Social Security Administrator Michael Astrue said this is a sign of economic desperation.