When Social Security was conceived back in the mid-1930s, it was designed to be a supplemental income source for our nation's low-income workers during retirement. But over the past 80-plus years, Social Security has evolved, possibly for the worse.

For more than 60% of our nation's retired workers receiving benefits, it now represents a major source of their monthly income. In other words, without Social Security income, the poverty rate among seniors would probably soar. An analysis from the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities confirmed this point by estimating a greater than 40% poverty rate among seniors if Social Security income wasn't available.

What will Social Security look like in 20 years?

One of the biggest ongoing debates on Capitol Hill is what the future might hold for Social Security, both for current retirees and those who will be retiring 20 years from now. The question being asked is: Can folks retiring in 2037 expect a similar level of benefits, adjusted for inflation, as those retirees receiving benefits in 2017?

If Congress does nothing, the answer is an almost certain "no."