Resources: Short Reads on Social Security, Budget & Debt

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Social Security

Social Security's Next Chapter: Reality, Reform, and the Road Ahead

TOPICS

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Federal Budget

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4

min read

Federal Budget 101: Discretionary Spending

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Federal Budget

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4

min read

Taxes 101: Medicare and Social Security Payroll Taxes

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Social Security

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4

min read

Here’s How You Become Eligible for Social Security Benefits

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Federal Budget

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4

min read

DOGE Wants to Cut $2 Trillion off the Federal Budget. But How?

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Social Security

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5

min read

What’s a COLA, and how does it impact Social Security benefits?

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Federal Budget

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10

min read

One Year After Banking Crisis, Federal Reserve Considers New Regulations

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Social Security

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4

min read

Why Is Social Security Running Out Of Money?

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Social Security

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6

min read

Why Did Franklin Roosevelt Create Social Security?

What's in a number?

Millions, Billions, and Trillions. Oh my!

To paraphrase Senator Everett Dirksen,
“A trillion here, a trillion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money..."

When talking about the U.S. federal budget and its various programs, the terms “millions”, “billions”, and “trillions” get thrown about freely. In reality, these numbers are so large, and the jump from one to the next so vast, that they can be staggering to wrap your head around.

Generate another example

Users will upload over 1 MILLION videos to TikTok in the next 45 MINUTES.

A hand holds a smartphone displaying a screen that says "One Million New Uploads," with a timer showing "Estimated time: 45 minutes." The screen features social media icons at the bottom.

Over the next MONTH, more than 1 BILLION videos will be uploaded to TikTok.

A person holds a smartphone displaying a graphic that reads, "ONE BILLION NEW UPLOADS. ESTIMATED TIME: 1 MONTH," with a circular progress indicator beneath the text.

At the current rate, it will take over 80 YEARS for TikTok to add 1 TRILLION videos!

A person holds a phone displaying a graphic that reads “ONE TRILLION NEW UPLOADS. Estimated Time: 80 Years” above a circular progress chart. The image has a purple filter.

It would take you almost a WEEK of nonstop walking to take 1 MILLION steps.

A spiral-bound calendar open to January 2024 shows some days crossed out and sticky notes reading "Walking" and "6.6 Days." Above, text reads "1 MILLION Steps" with a trail of white footprints in the background.

It would take you 18 YEARS of nonstop walking to take 1 BILLION steps.

A person blows out candles shaped as the number 18 on a cake decorated with colorful candies. Text reads "1 BILLION Steps" and "18 Years" on a bright green background with scattered confetti.

It would take you 18,119 YEARS of nonstop walking to take 1 TRILLION steps!

A collage of various calendars against a green background. Text reads "1 TRILLION Steps" at the top and "18,119 Years" near the bottom, suggesting a long journey or timeframe.

The 10 PLAYERS in a basketball game sport a combined 1 MILLION hairs on their heads.

A group of people playing basketball on an outdoor court. The image is overlaid with teal and pink hues and text that reads “1 Million Hairs = 10 Haircuts.”.

Trimming 1 BILLION hairs would clean up just about everyone at PRINCETON UNIVERSITY.

A cityscape with a teal overlay is seen through an arched window. A pink banner across the middle reads, "1 Billion Hairs ≈ 10,000 Haircuts.

Shearing 1 TRILLION hairs would provide everyone in NORTH CAROLINA with a fresh cut!

A map of North Carolina with a pink stripe and text that reads, "1 Trillion Hairs ≈ 10,000,000 Haircuts" overlaid across the state. The background is blue with parts of surrounding states visible.

The 10 PARTICIPANTS in a basketball game combine for 1 MILLION heartbeats per day.

A group of young people play basketball on an outdoor court, with city buildings in the background. Bold text across the top reads “1 MILLION Heartbeats.”.

1 BILLION heartbeats powered TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE through the Cleveland marathon.

A large group of marathon runners races toward the camera in front of a black-and-white Cleveland city skyline. A green banner at the bottom reads "1 BILLION Heartbeats.

The lifeblood of the entire populations of NYC AND Phoenix is moved by 1 TRILLION heartbeats every day!

A large group of marathon runners races toward the camera in front of a black-and-white Cleveland city skyline. A green banner at the bottom reads "1 BILLION Heartbeats.

1 MILLION gallons of paint would be enough to cover most of MANHATTAN.

A paint can and arrows point to a highlighted area of Manhattan on a blue map with text: "1 MILLION Gallons" and "14.7 Square Miles.

1 BILLION gallons of paint would cover Manhattan PLUS Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

A blue map highlights a pink area representing 14,700 square miles. Above it, a paint can is shown with the text “1 BILLION Gallons”; arrows connect the can to the pink area.

1 TRILLION gallons of paint would be enough to cover ALL of NORTH and SOUTH AMERICA!

Illustration of North America painted pink on a blue map, with arrows pointing to text reading "14,700,000 Square Miles" and "1 Trillion Gallons" beside a paint can, suggesting the amount of paint needed to cover the continent.

glossary

Policy Terms

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