U.S. Budget Deficit Nears $2 Trillion as Soaring Interest Payments on Debt Break $1 Trillion Mark for First Time
The U.S. budget deficit surged to $1.897 trillion for the first 11 months of fiscal year 2024, according to the Treasury Department’s report on Thursday.
24% Increase in Deficit Compared to Last Year
The deficit marks a significant 24% increase compared to the $1.525 trillion deficit during the same period last year.
The spike is partly attributed to rising interest rates and the absence of a $319 billion reversal from Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, which was struck down by the Supreme Court last year. That reduction last year will not repeat this year.
With just one month left in the fiscal year, the annual interest payments on public debt surpassed $1 trillion for the first time.
U.S. Debt at All-Time High
As of Tuesday, the national debt stood at $35.3 trillion.
Just a year ago, the debt was around $30 trillion.
The U.S. national debt officially surpassed $34 trillion on January 4, as reported by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Notably, it had reached $33 trillion on September 15, 2023, and $32 trillion on June 15, 2023, indicating an accelerated increase.
Prior to this, the ascent from $31 trillion to $32 trillion took approximately eight months.
In the last century, the U.S. federal debt has surged from $403 billion in 1923 to a staggering $33.17 trillion in 2023.
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has said it is past time to have an “adult conversation about fiscal responsibility.”
What does this relentless rise mean for Americans and the future of the U.S. economy?
National Deficit Increasing
A deficit happens when the federal government spends more than it brings in.
In fiscal year (FY) 2024, the government has spent $1.90 trillion beyond its revenue, leading to a national deficit.
To finance government programs amidst a budget shortfall, the federal government accrues debt through the issuance of U.S. Treasury, bills, and securities. This national debt represents the total of borrowed funds plus the interest due to the investors who have bought these financial instruments.
In FY 2023, the federal government spent $6.13 trillion while generating $4.44 trillion in revenue, creating a deficit. The gap between spending and revenue—$1.70 trillion in 2023—is known as deficit spending.
Unsustainable Federal Debt Levels As Percentage of GDP
Assessing a nation’s debt in relation to its gross domestic product (GDP) provides insight into its capacity to settle the debt. This ratio is deemed a more informative gauge of a country’s fiscal health compared to the raw national debt figure, as it reflects the debt burden relative to the country’s overall economic output, indicating its repayment capability. The U.S. witnessed its debt-to-GDP ratio exceed 100% in 2013, with both debt and GDP hovering around 16.7 trillion.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is currently around 123%, and politicians are not showing any sign of slowing spending.
Federal Debt Held By The Public
Rising deficits lead to an increase in the already substantial federal debt held by the public, causing it to grow significantly over the next 30 years.
By 2054, the debt is projected to reach 166% of GDP, with expectations of continued growth beyond that.
Interest On Debt Unsustainable
The Treasury’s year-to-date interest costs for fiscal 2024 reached $1.049 trillion through August, marking an increase of approximately 30% compared to the same period in fiscal 2023.
Currently, interest spending is the 2nd largest outlay and it will surpass spending on Social Security by early 2025.
More Taxes Or Print Money
Higher debt must be financed with higher taxes or more money creation. Raising taxes might prove difficult, but the alternative of printing more money could result in rampant inflation.
Americans have suffered in the past three years as inflation has made everyday necessities more expensive. Although the pace of price increases has slowed, food and gas prices are still higher than in the past.
The August core inflation data was stickier than anticipated confirming the pain Americans are facing everyday.
Spending By Borrowing
So far, government spending has been financed by selling U.S. debt to foreign nations. America’s ability to pay its debt is a concern for nations worldwide, which own around $7.6 trillion of our debt.
Japan and China are the top two countries holding U.S. debt. Both countries have been reducing their holdings of U.S. Treasuries. The last quarter data shows that Japan has slipped into a recession.
If the U.S. government can no longer find buyers for its $1.7 trillion annual debt, significant cuts must be imposed on social programs.
The CBO Report Unveils A Dire Path Ahead
The latest report released by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for March 2024, offered dire projections for the country’s fiscal and economic landscape over the upcoming decade.
Critical trust funds face looming insolvency. The Highway Trust Fund is anticipated to exhaust its reserves by 2028, the Social Security retirement trust fund by 2033, and the Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund is on track to deplete its funds by the mid-2030s.
Cuts to Social Programs
The insolvency of the trust funds would trigger automatic, across-the-board reductions in their payouts.
The CBO projects that the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund will run out of funds by 2033, coinciding with the moment when individuals currently aged 58 reach the official retirement age and the youngest of today’s retirees hit 71. Consequently, all recipients will experience an automatic 25 percent reduction in benefits, irrespective of their age or financial situation.
Urgent Need to Tackle National Debt
The U.S. National Debt is on track for a $2.8 trillion increase this year. This unprecedented growth, reaching historic highs, poses significant challenges, including a rising national deficit, an unsustainable debt-to-GDP ratio, and unmanageable interest costs. The reliance on foreign nations for debt financing and the looming risks of a recession add urgency to address the dire projections. Critical trust funds, such as Social Security and Medicare, are facing insolvency, emphasizing the need for immediate and comprehensive fiscal strategies to navigate the complex economic landscape ahead.
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Retirement Is Overrated: 10 Reasons Not To Retire
You might be thinking that retirement sounds excellent – but what if you can’t afford it? What if an unforeseen catastrophe occurs and you need money? The reality is that so many people are retiring later in life because they don’t have enough saved up or can’t afford to take the risk of quitting their job before they know how much money they’ll need each month. Retirees also face many challenges, from loneliness to boredom, but there are ways to combat these problems with the right lifestyle changes. We will discuss why retirement isn’t always as glamorous as it seems and how to avoid these pitfalls by pursuing your goals now!
Retirement Is Overrated: 10 Reasons Not To Retire
Discover the Top 10 U.S. Cities Where Renters’ Income Goes the Furthest
With housing affordability at an all-time low, many Americans are forced to rent. While certain cities offer a higher income potential, they also have higher living cost. For renters, the optimal solution often lies in finding a middle ground — achieving the perfect balance between income and expenses. Luckily, individuals in search of apartments can now make informed decisions by exploring the latest report on RentCafe.com, which identifies cities where they can maximize the value of their budget. Here are the top 10 cities where renters can stretch their dollars.
Discover the Top 10 U.S. Cities Where Renters’ Income Goes the Furthest
Comparing Retirement Ages: How Does the US Stack Up Against Other Countries?
Retirement age fluctuates across nations, influenced by diverse factors such as labor market dynamics, job types, economic policies, gender roles, and pension systems. For instance, Saudi Arabia stands out as the sole country offering full retirement benefits to individuals under 50, whereas in 2023, France faced uproar after raising its retirement age by two years, sparking widespread strikes. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) collects and analyzes retirement data using distinct metrics: – The Current Retirement Age signifies the age at which individuals can retire with full pension benefits after a career starting at age 22, without facing any deductions. – The Effective Retirement Age represents the average age at which workers aged 40 or older exit the workforce, influenced by personal decisions or job availability.
Comparing Retirement Ages: How Does the US Stack Up Against Other Countries?
The 10 States Taxing Social Security in 2024 and the 2 That Just Stopped
As 2023 tax filing season draws to a close, retirees across the nation are adjusting their financial plans for 2024, but a crucial detail could drastically alter the landscape of retirement living: the taxing of Social Security benefits. While many bask in the belief that their golden years will be tax-friendly, residents in ten specific states are facing a reality check as their Social Security benefits come under the taxman’s purview. Conversely, a wave of relief is set to wash over two states, marking an end to their era of taxing these benefits. This shift paints a complex portrait of retirement planning across the U.S., underscoring the importance of staying informed of the ever changing tax laws. Are you residing in one of these states? It’s time to uncover the impact of these tax changes on your retirement strategy and possibly reconsider your locale choice for those serene post-work years. Here are the states taxing social security benefits.
The States Taxing Social Security in 2024 and the 2 That Just Stopped
Avoid These Costly IRA Mistakes Before They Wreck Your Retirement
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are one of the most important tools for securing a financially stable retirement. With contribution limits for tax year 2024 set at $7,000 ($8,000 for those over 50), these accounts are accessible to most Americans for retirement planning. Yet, despite their relative simplicity, there are plenty of pitfalls investors face when managing their IRAs. Whether it’s choosing the wrong type of IRA, mishandling withdrawals, or misjudging tax implications, these mistakes can lead to unnecessary costs and missed opportunities. Here are some of the most common errors and how to avoid them.
Avoid These Costly IRA Mistakes Before They Wreck Your Retirement
John Dealbreuin came from a third world country to the US with only $1,000 not knowing anyone; guided by an immigrant dream. In 12 years, he achieved his retirement number.
He started Financial Freedom Countdown to help everyone think differently about their financial challenges and live their best lives. John resides in the San Francisco Bay Area enjoying nature trails and weight training.
Here are his recommended tools
M1 Finance: John compared M1 Finance against Vanguard, Schwab, Fidelity, Wealthfront and Betterment to find the perfect investment platform. He uses it due to zero fees, very low minimums, automated investment with automatic rebalancing. The pre-built asset allocations and fractional shares helps one get started right away.
Personal Capital: This is a free tool John uses to track his net worth on a regular basis and as a retirement planner. It also alerts him wrt hidden fees and has a budget tracker included.
Streitwise is available for accredited and non-accredited investors. They have one of the lowest fees and high “skin in the game,” with over $5M of capital invested by founders in the deals. It is also open to foreign/non-USA investor. Minimum investment is $5,000.
Platforms like Yieldstreet provide investment options in art, legal, structured notes, venture capital, etc. They also have fixed-income portfolios spread across multiple asset classes with a single investment with low minimums of $10,000.
