buckeye45_73
Lakhota's my *****
- Jun 4, 2011
- 33,597
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Well the problem with that is you are reactive. For example if you have a bunch of debt, don't buy new stuff, pay off your debt, once it's paid SAVE money in an account, and guess what, you're budget will never be affected. The govt needs to do that, but they don't, when they get money, they spend it on stupid shit and the repercussions are minimal.The government owes Social Security about $2.8 trillion. The government also owes China and other holders of U.S. debt. Are they holding "worthless" debt as some seem to insinuate Social Security is holding? Sounds like someone should enlighten China and the others.
Intragovernmental Holdings
Which agencies own the most Treasuries? Social Security, by a long shot.
Here's the detailed breakdown (as of December 31, 2015):
Debt Held by the Public
- Social Security (Social Security Trust Fund and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund) - $2.786 trillion
- Office of Personnel Management Retirement - $873 billion
- Military Retirement Fund - $601 billion
- Medicare (Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) - $267 billion
- All Other Retirement Funds - $187 billion
- Cash on Hand to Fund Federal Government Operations - $508 billion. (Source: Treasury Bulletin, Monthly Treasury Statement, Table 6. Schedule D-Investments of Federal Government Accounts in Federal Securities, December 2015)
Here's the breakout:
This debt is not only in Treasury bills, notes, and bonds but also TIPS and special State and Local Government Series securities.
- Foreign - $6.175 trillion
- Federal Reserve - $2.461 trillion
- Mutual Funds - $1.056 trillion
- State and Local Government, including their pension funds - $803 billion
- Private Pension Funds - $403 billion
- Banks - $515 billion
- Insurance Companies - $293 billion
- U.S. Savings Bonds - $174 billion
- Other (individuals, government-sponsored enterprises, brokers and dealers, bank personal trusts and estates, corporate and non-corporate businesses, and other investors) - $1.198 trillion. (Sources: Federal Reserve, Factors Affecting Reserve Balance, May 12, 2016. Treasury Bulletin, Ownership of Federal Securities, Table OFS-2, as of June 2015)
What About Foreign Ownership of the Debt?
China owns $1.157 trillion U.S. debt. As of September 2016, it was the largest foreign holder. Japan is next, holding $1.136 trillion. Both Japan and China want to keep thevalue of the dollar high when compared to their currencies. That helps their exports to the United States seem more affordable, which helps their economies grow. That's why, despite China's occasional threats to sell its holdings, both countries are happy to be America's biggest foreign bankers. China replaced the United Kingdom as the second largest foreign holder on May 31, 2007. That's when it increased its holdings to $699 billion, outpacing the United Kingdom's $640 billion.
Ireland is third, holding $270 billion. The Cayman Islands is fourth, at $262 billion. Luxembourg is seventh ($227 billion), and Belgium is eleventh ($142 billion). The Bureau of International Settlements believes all three are fronts for sovereign wealth funds and hedge funds that don't want to reveal their positions.
Brazil is the fifth largest holder at $258 billion. The next largest holders are Switzerland, the UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India. They each hold between $122 - $240 billion each. (Source: Foreign Holding of U.S. Treasury Securities, October 18, 2016. "Petrodollars and Global Imbalances," U.S. Treasury, February 2006.) Data is from various reports that are released at different times. Therefore, the total may not add up to $19 trillion.
The Real Owner of the U.S. Debt Will Surprise You
Bottom Line: We can't undo what was done to Social Security - but the solution is not to abolish it.
So what is the percentage of benefits for Social Security in 2035?
Every budget is a plan, and plans change due to unforeseen circumstances. Which is why the Rand Paul concept of a balanced budget is naive, or most likely demagoguery.
For example, a home owner budgets $100 per month for home maintenance, and halfway through the year a heavy rain creates several leaks in the roof. To do nothing, the sheet rock will deteriate and ruin the floor and furniture, thus the budget now requires an adjustment.
S/He must cut other budgeted items, borrow the money or kick the problem down the road - as our Congress has been doing for for far too long - and let a problem turn into a catastrophe.