DAILY POLL: Do you support President Trump removing all illegal immigrants from Social Security?

Because it is funded through payroll contributions rather than general tax revenue alone, the system operates somewhat like a social insurance program. Workers pay into it during their careers and receive benefits later in life.

The Immigration Factor

Immigration complicates the discussion because millions of immigrants—both legal and undocumented—participate in the U.S. workforce.

Some undocumented immigrants work using false or borrowed Social Security numbers. Others pay payroll taxes through Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) issued by the Internal Revenue Service.