New computer game lets you decide how to save Social Security

Computer games are usually built around an overarching goal: Kill the zombies, win World War II, rescue Princess Zelda. Now gamers have a new mission: Keep Social Security solvent.

“The Social Security Challenge” is an online, interactive experience created by the American Academy of Actuaries, a professional association that provides statistical analyses for public policy. The game is now on the Academy’s website — and you can play it for free.

Linda Stone, a senior pension fellow at the Academy, said the purpose of the initiative is to educate the public about the funding shortfall bearing down on the New Deal-era program — and the many ways Congress could solve it.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about Social Security,” Stone said. “And as Social Security reform has become more of a topic of conversation lately … I think it’s important for the public to understand what the options are so they can evaluate what they’re hearing.”

Social Security is America’s largest entitlement program. This year, it will pay out more than $1 trillion in benefits to 67 million Americans — including 48.6 million retirees, 7.6 million disabled workers, 5.9 million survivors and all their dependents. 

But this lifeline is rapidly approaching insolvency. According to last year’s report by the program’s board of trustees, Social Security will only be able to make 80% of its scheduled payments by 2035, or 74% by 2096. 

But that’s only if Congress does nothing — something that’s unlikely to happen, given that more than 90% of Americans support the program. And as the Academy’s new game makes clear, there are still many ways to save it — whether by increasing taxes, cutting benefits or taking over steps — before it’s “Game Over.”

That’s where you, Player 1, come in. In the Social Security Challenge, you begin by exploring “Townsville,” a SimCity-looking community of average Americans. Right away, it becomes clear this is not like other video games. As you visit Townsville’s stores and offices, you are armed not with a bazooka but with a journal. And as animated citizens pop up and speak to you, your task is not to blow their brains out, but to take notes on their concerns.

“Hello, I’m Vince,”…