A Big Surprise?

A headline in yesterday's NY Times told us that "Social Security’s Financial Health Worsens".  Since we reduced the Social Security payroll tax in 2010 and 2011, should lower Social Security revenue be a surprise?  Since unemployment is still a major problem, should lower Social Security revenue be a surprise? Since this worsening is measured by the fact that projections made by human beings show that the Social Security trust funds will run out of money three years earlier than was predicted by human beings last year, can we attribute any of this shortfall to the aforesaid tax reduction and unemployment?

Interestingly, the report also says that after 2033 when the trust funds run out continued tax income will enable the payment of "about three-quarters of scheduled benefits through 2086". 

There is a fairly easy way to remedy the projected problems: eliminate the maximum taxable amount, which is now $110,100.  Most people believe this will eliminate any future deficits.