Social Security & The US Government Budget.

US Government - Surplus and Deficit 

With or Without Social Security Surplus

Social Security payroll taxes and benefit payments, along with the net balance of the U.S. Postal Service are considered "off-budget." 

Administrative costs of the Social Security Administration (SSA), however, are classified as "on-budget." In large part because of Social Security surpluses, the total federal budget deficit is smaller than the on-budget deficit. 

The surplus of Social Security payroll taxes over benefit payments is invested in special Treasury securities held by the Social Security Trust Fund. 

The United States Budget with and without Social Security Security Surplus.

Without Social Security Security Surplus.

 With  Social Security Security Surplus.

Many conservatives believe that the surplus should not be considered as budget element even though previous administrations have borrowed or as some people redefine "stolen: much of that surplus. 

Notice how well we were doing during the Clinton years.