...in a bookkeeping sense." "But only in a bookkeeping sense", it says here. Continuing, "These funds do not consist of real economic assets that can be...benefits. Instead, they are claims on the Treasury." And you've mentioned that a number of times, by the first call. That they're not assets, they're only...

...Trust Fund "are available to finance future benefit payments and other trust fund expenditures - but only in a bookkeeping sense... They do not consist...can be drawn down in the future to fund benefits." The President is firmly committed to using Social Security surpluses for their intended purpose of...

...balances are available to finance future benefit payments and other trust fund expenditures — but only in a bookkeeping sense. . . . They do not consist of real economic assets that can be drawn down to fund benefits. Instead, they are claims on the US Treasury that, when redeemed will have to be financed...

...funds are not set up to be pension funds, like the funds of private pension plans. They do not hold real economic assets that can be drawn down in the...benefits. Instead, they are claims on the Treasury. When trust fund holdings are redeemed to pay benefits, Treasury will have to finance the expenditure...

...budget explained: "[Trust fund] balances are available to finance future benefit payments . . . but only in a bookkeeping sense. . . . They do not consist...benefits. Instead, they are claims on the Treasury that . . . will have to be financed by raising taxes, borrowing from the public, or reducing benefits or...

...President's budget has noted, the "trust funds" into which these contributions would be paid "do not hold real economic assets that can be drawn down in the future to fund benefits." (FY 2003 Budget, Analytical Perspectives, p. 355.) Consequently, the annuities and premiums, like all...