Uh...NO!!!!! It was started by FDR (with FICA as a means to fund it, among other federal needs) as retirement benefits for workers and financial assistance for those starving during the great depression with the "New Deal". Reagan introduced SS specific withholding and at that time FICA became dedicated to funding the US govt. Since the SS specific withholding came about, no, it has nothing to do with the deficit other than the fact that the deficit figures are deflated because the current publicized $ amount does not reflect the $2T+ debt the general fund stole from and owes the SS trust fund. FICA has always existed to fund the general budget, SS has never.Actually the debt would be bigger without SS. And the yearly deficit only went red in the last few years. So for most of SS dating back to the 30s, SS was a tax that helped balance the budget.
Uh...NO!!!!! It was started by FDR
FDR was, of course. In the 30's SS was not a tax, FICA was. SS was one of many programs funded by FICA. SS didn't become a tax until 50 years later and has never been intended to fund operating expenses.Who do you think was POTUS in the 30s?