The cause of the problem with Social Security is that none of the money was ever put onto any real wealth creating investments. The money was spent. It does not matter where the money comes from, tariffs, federal deficit spending, new taxation, the Social Security system will not be reformed and made to be solvent by its own means unless correct changes are made to the system. Many believe the only problem with any failed government program is that it is underfunded. More money is not the remedy needed for Social Security.
It seems to me that for all the talk about a trust fund and contributions, SS ends up being operated just like the other welfare programs. Today’s taxes get transferred to today’s recipients. Any money one paid to SS while working was gone years ago.